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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Trojans knock off unbeaten Zephs

Kareem Williams has enjoyed a stellar season thus far for the Parkland Trojans football team. Williams has been an important part of the offense, and also has contributed on the defensive side of the ball.

After leading the team in rushing and touchdowns two weeks ago in a win at Liberty, Williams was at it again last Friday night, helping his team to its third straight win, 21-12 over Whitehall at Orefield Middle School stadium.

Williams rushed for 216 yards and three touchdowns in a run-heavy game for both teams. The Trojans offense totaled 344 yards on the ground against a Zephyrs defense that has allowed a mere 287 yards all season.

"We came into this week working hard," said Williams. "We knew if we lost this game that was it for us. We knew what we had to do and we just got it done."

The Parkland (4-1 overall, 3-1 LVC) offense took a little while to get going, the reason may have been because of a pregame delay due to the stadium lights losing power.

Once the game began, it was Whitehall that showed no rust. Saquon Barkley ran the opening kickoff back 51 yards. On the very next play, he broke free for a 44-yard score. It took Whitehall (4-1 overall, 3-1 LVC) just twenty seconds to open up the scoring.

After three consecutive punts, the Trojans finally got going. On their first play of the fourth drive, Williams found a seam and took off for 57 yards to give Parkland the lead, 7-6.

"As soon as they scored, it was time for us to go to work," said Williams. "We knew we had to do it. We knew if we fell behind there was no coming back. They're a great team and we had to play well from the beginning."

The Zephyrs responded in dramatic fashion with a 12-play drive that looked to finish off with a 22-yard field goal.

Gianni Sinatore took the snap, jumped up from his knee and ran it in from five yards out.

But the Zephyrs just couldn't hold back the streaking Williams. He took a hand 47 yards to the pylon for what proved to be the game-winning score with 1:18 until halftime.

His third touchdown, the only score of the second half, clinched the victory with 1:59 remaining, which forced Whitehall to have to score twice.

The Trojans took home the Joe Gerencser Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the Whitehall-Parkland winner, for the second straight year. Williams was recognized as the game's MVP, taking home a plaque for his efforts.

Sophomore quarterback Devante Cross rushed for a total of 103 yards. The 344 total rushing yards shows the improvement of a stout offensive line.

"To be honest, that was all the offensive line," saidd Williams. "They watch film twice as much as I do. They knew what they were doing out there."

The win puts Parkland into a five-way tie atop the Lehigh Valley Conference standings, along with Bethlehem Catholic, Easton, Emmaus, and Whitehall.