With a train whistle echoing through Zephyr Stadium last Friday, the Zephs defense derailed the Green Hornets offense, winning 19-7 to kick off Homecoming weekend.

The win sets up a huge showdown next week with Easton Area High School, as both teams currently sit atop the Lehigh Valley Conference standings along with Parkland. The Zephs (7-1 overall, 6-1 LVC) travel to Cottingham Stadium to play the Red Rovers with the loser virtually eliminated from the league title race.

For the first time this season, the Zephyrs used a train whistle after every touchdown, but it was the Green Hornets offense that must have felt like they were in the path of an onrushing locomotive as the Whitehall defense ended Emmaus' hopes for a share of the LVC title. In fact, the Zephs refused to open the crossing gates the entire game, allowing the Green Hornets just 167 yards in total offense. Their lone touchdown came on a pick six in the fourth quarter.

But it was Whitehall's interceptions that dealt the most severe blows in a game where both offenses were struggling to gain consistency. They had four, with Saquon Barkley turning his theft into a 60-yard score.

However, the biggest of those picks may have come as Emmaus was driving deep in Whitehall territory with the opportunity to tie or take the lead in the second quarter. Standout Green Hornet receiver Kyzir White had already hauled in three passes during the drive, and as he slid across the middle on a crossing route, the ball bounced off his hand, which was followed by a tip by Chad Rex who was then able to secure it in his arms at the 8-yard line.

"During that drive, he got a couple of catches on me," said Rex. "He's a good player, Kyzir White, and I was pretty mad, so something came over me and I just wanted to stop that drive."

The complexion of the game could have changed, but Rex, who drew the assignment of covering White, thwarted their deepest threat of the game. Rex knew that White had the potential of making a big play every time he touched the ball.

"The coaches put it on my shoulders to follow him all over the field and D him up the whole game, and so I did," said Rex. "He got his plays, and I got my plays. We had a great battle."

White finished with six catches for 79 yards. Rex was able to break up two passes, and finished with four tackles, as well as the crucial interception.

Rex said he was determined not to give up the backbreaking play.

"They pound and pound, then they hit you with the big play," said Rex. "So I gave him a little cushion, and then we adjusted at halftime; we took the cushion off, and I played him closer. It worked."

On a night when their offense has trouble establishing the line of scrimmage, head coach Brian Gilbert could count on a defense that only allowed Emmaus to penetrate the red zone once the entire game.

"Our defense kept us in the game tonight," said Gilbert. "They really did."

Rex said their defensive game plan was a key to their success against a physical Emmaus team.

"I'm going to give a lot of credit to the coaches," said Rex. "They prepare us all week, teach us what to watch, and we rep things one hundred times. We have the greatest coaching staff in the Lehigh Valley Conference, in my opinion. My hat's off to them."

In addition to Rex and Barkley's picks, Ryan Bonshak and Jacob Buskirk also intercepted Emmaus quarterback Logan Kober. They also forced five punts, and didn't allow a play over 19 yards.

Emmaus defense was just as staunch. They kept the Zephs running attack bottled up the entire game. Barkley had 51 yards on 22 carries, while Bonshak managed only 16 yards against the Hornets.

"They're a physical defense; they're really tough," said Gilbert. "We made just enough plays to be able to score and move the ball."

One of those plays was an 11-yard TD catch by Barkley. While Emmaus made the going tough, Barkley still found a way to score, crossing the goal line on a one-yard run, as well as his interception for a touchdown.

Gilbert said it was important to gain yards through the air, since they loaded the box. Quarterback Jeff Charles was able to have some success, finishing the game 8-14 for 125 yards and a TD.

"We needed to throw it, and we completed enough passes to when we needed to," said Gilbert.

Gilbert said that Charles was effective, at times completing a big third down pass, other times taking off for a few yards on the ground.

"He manages the game," said Gilbert. "He makes mistakes, but he also makes his plays."

Charles and Conor Sullivan had another good night, with Sullivan catching six balls for 87 yards.

With Easton looming and the implications that match-up will bring, the game takes on added significance. However, Rex said it won't make them deviate from their routine. He said they'll prepare just as they have all year, stressing the importance of being ready for what their opponent wants to do.

"We need to have a great week of practice," said Rex. "We have to watch our film on Easton, and then really practice hard. That's all we can really do."