One week after a dominating effort in shutting down Delaware Valley in their opening game, the Parkland football team was on the other end of the spectrum. Two turnovers and a slow night offensively doomed the Trojans in a 24-0 loss to Easton last Friday night at Cottingham stadium.

The offensive attack that put up 50 points just one week prior had a hard time finding any kind of rhythm.

The Red Rovers held Parkland to just 58 yards of total offense. The Trojans did not account for their first positive yardage play until their third series late in the first quarter.

"They had a lot of energy, and we didn't," said head coach Jim Morgans. "Our line needs to play better and get more acquainted, through video, about our opponents and how they move. I think Easton has a real good football team, and they came to play. They played hard throughout the game, and in certain situations we didn't."

The key aspect of the game may have been that the ball didn't bounce Parkland's way, literally.

In the first quarter, the Rovers' Kyle Bambary fumbled after being hit by several Trojans, but somehow quarterback Brad Wilkins came away with the ball. That led to the first points of the game, a 26 yard field goal from Matt Semanick.

Three other instances of Red Rover ball carriers fumbling all resulted in their own recoveries.

Even with all of the bad fortune and lackluster offense, Parkland still only trailed 3-0 late in the second quarter. The defense held down Easton once again and put them in a four-and-two at their own 25-yard line. Red Rover head coach Steve Shiffert called for fake punt.

In a momentum-changing play, Nolan Kilpatrick took a direct snap in punt formation and rushed for 32 yards that shocked the Parkland sidelines.

Kilpatrick then capped the drive with a nine-yard touchdown catch from Wilkins to give Easton a 10-0 lead.

"That was definitely a play that gave them a lift," said Morgans. "Up to that point it was back-and-forth, and our defense was hanging in there. I had a feeling that if we could keep hanging on here defensively, maybe we could get something going on offense and catch a break."

On just the first play after Parkland received the ensuing kickoff, Shane Simpson came away with an interception and returned it 38 yards for another Red Rovers touchdown. The Trojans trailed 17-0 at halftime.

The second half did not get much better for Parkland. Although the defense remained strong, the offense was held to five three-and-outs, two interceptions, and accounted only two first downs.

"They did a great job defensively," added Morgans. "They were in our backfield. They played with a lot of energy."

One of those forced fumbles the Trojans defense created resulted in the Red Rovers final touchdown. Simpson attempted to cross the goal line but lost the ball. It popped up in the air and right into the hands of Cameron Casciole standing in the end zone.

Parkland (1-1 overall, 0-1 LVC) will look to bounce back in the Lehigh Valley Conference when it hosts Northampton Friday night.