Nazareth wins District title, advances to State Playoffs

Coming into the game tonight, Easton had won the last two District 11 Class 4A titles. Nazareth (12-1) last District title was in 1989 but that was Class 3A, so Rob Melosky’s squad was looking for their first title in Class 4A.

They had to go through an Easton team that had beaten Scranton 8 days before, and Phillipsburg (NJ) on Thanksgiving Day. Back in week 2, Nazareth had beaten Easton, 35-28, but could they do it again?

The way the game began, Easton (11-3) seemed the more hungry team, returning the opening kickoff to their own 47 yard line. Two plays later, Rovers’ Austin Brown (13 carries, 50 yards, 3 TD) scored from 3 yards out to give the defending District 11 champions a 7-0 lead.

After a Nazareth punt, Easton marched 73 yards for their next score. Brown scored his second touchdown of the game, halfway through the first quarter. Easton was up 14-0.

The two teams exchanged punts. Then, with 0:15 left in the first quarter, the Blue Eagles got on the scoreboard, driving 69 yards. A Daniel Harding pass to Andrew Bridgeforth (6 rec, 82 yds, TD), cut the Easton lead in half – 14-7.

After an Easton punt, then a Nazareth fumble that Easton recovered but could not capitalize, Harding (22/34 – 285, 3TD, INT) threw his second touchdown pass of the game. Harding connected with Alexander Tonnies (6 rec, 117 yds, TD) on a 63 yard catch and run to tie the game at 14 a piece.

Nazareth would score on its next possession, with 0:04 left before halftime. This time, Harding connected with Dan Shepherd (3 rec, 29 yds.) on a 17 yard pass to put the Blue Eagles ahead going into halftime, 21-14.

The Blue Eagles would get the ball to start the second half, chewing up over four minutes of game clock. It took them 12 plays, 44 yards to put the pigskin in the zone, with Jordan Gray (36 carries, 147 yards, TD) doing the honors from 1 yard out. Nazareth widened their lead, 28-14.

After a Jared Powell interception of Harding at the Easton 15, the Rovers would score with about 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter. It took Easton 16 plays and 85 yards, and Austin Brown’s 2 yard run, to close the gap at 28-21.

The Nazareth offense would then bleed the clock on a couple of Jordan Gray runs to give the Blue Eagles the win.

Nazareth plays District 12 champion LaSalle next Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1PM, at Bethlehem School District Stadium (Liberty HS).

SCORING
1st Quarter
E – 11:34 – Austin Brown 3 yd run
E – 5:31 – Austin Brown 1 yd run
N – 0:15 – Harding 35 yd pass to Andrew Bridgeforth
2nd Quarter
N – 4:21 – Harding 63 yd pass to Alexander Tonnies
N – 0:04 – Harding 17 yard pass to Daniel Shepherd
3rd Quarter
N – 7:01 – Jordan Gray 1 yard run
E – 4:57 – Austin Brown 2 yard run