Ra'Von Burton provides spark as Catasauqua High School ends eight-year football jinx against Northampton

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Game MVP Ra'Von Burton, a sophomore, rushed for 133 yards on 10 carries and Catasauqua capitalized on some costly Northampton penalties and a lackluster kicking game to register a 20-6 win in the two schools' annual Thanksgiving Day football game at Al Erdosy Field in Northampton.

The win ended a string of eight Northampton victories in the 87-year rivalry, which stands with the Konkrete Kids (3-9) holding a 54-31-4 edge in a series that began in 1925. Prior to this season, the last win for Catty (8-4) came in 2002 when the Rough Riders won 21-6.

Marcus Newsome, who rushed for 90 yards and scored Northampton's only points on a 1-yard plunge early in the second half, was named the K-Kids' MVP.

Included among Burton's 10 carries was a spectacular 79-yard touchdown run with 9:27 remaining in the fourth quarter that brought the crowd of 5,000 to its feet, giving Catty a 20-6 lead. Burton started on a sweep left, found no room outside, then reversed his field to the right and outraced the pursuing Northampton defense to the end zone.

"Just because we're a small school, we still come to play," said Burton, after accepting his MVP award. "We showed we can play with the big dogs."

Catasauqua also held Northampton quarterback Patrick Cook without a completion in the second half and to only 22 yards passing for the game. Northampton was also penalized 92 yards, many of them in crucial downs.

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