After trading touchdowns with Liberty High School in the first half, the Zephyrs opened the throttle after the break and left the 'Canes idling on the sidelines for their fourth win of the season.

Whitehall scored 28 unanswered points in the second half en route to a convincing 56-20 victory last Friday. The win marks their fourth consecutive victory and sets up a showdown with Parkland in a battle of the unbeaten next week at Zephyr Stadium.

Friday's game began with a quick strike by the Hurricanes, taking the opening kickoff and needing only three plays for Liberty quarterback Doug Erney to find Elijah Hall for a 79-yard score.

Last week the Zephs were able to put a fast TD on the board, and now they found themselves trailing the 'Canes 7-0 who came into the game at 2-1.

The deficit didn't last long.

It took Whitehall six plays to cover 82 yards to tie the score. Quarterback Gianni Sinatore orchestrated a masterful drive, finding receiver Chad Rex on their first snap for a 49-yard gain to put the ball at the 'Canes 33-yard line. Sinatore also rushed for 10 yards to keep the drive alive, and then found Sauqon Barkley who got free down the sideline for a 21-yard score. Conor Ilgenfritz's PAT then tied the score.

Sinatore finished the game 12-16 for 199 yards and two TDs. He was able to spread the ball around, hitting five different receivers. Additionally, his scrambling ability also extended a number of plays, his speed allowing him to get to the edge where he picked up some crucial first downs.

The game showcased his mobility, finishing with 59 yards on the ground, including a score. His TD run, in which he beat the defender to the pylon, capped a 70-yard seven-play drive. He also looked comfortable in the pocket, something head coach Brian Gilbert said is a reflection of getting those reps under center.

"It's his first year starting and his game experience is so valuable," said Gilbert. "He's making plays with his arm and his legs."

On Liberty's next possession following the tying touchdown, the defense previewed what was to come in the second half. Linebacker Jake Buskirk sacked Erney for a 4-yard loss, and Barkley intercepted a pass to set up the go-ahead score.

The defense which surrendered 20 first-half points didn't allow the 'Canes to get on track at all in second half, limiting them to just one first down in that span. It also didn't help that the 'Canes were penalized 12 times for 102 yards, a bulk of those flags coming in the second half.

Buskirk, who had a 48-yard interception return in the third quarter to set up another Barkley touchdown, made the play 20 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

"Coach Yadush just wants us to get deep in our drops, so I got real deep and I just read his [Erney's] eyes," said Buskirk. "I saw the man coming, and I knew he was throwing it right there."

As for the offense, Buskirk's contribution included a 21-yard TD pass up the seam, as well as two runs for scores. Buskirk was targeted four times resulting in four catches. On the touchdown throw in the second quarter to give the Zephs the lead again at 21-20, Buskirk said that Sinatore made his progressions and found him for six.

"He saw that I was open, and got me the ball," said Buskirk.

He said that once they got the ball in the second half, they wanted to make a statement. He said fast starts is something they constantly strive for in the game.

"We wanted to drive it right down their throat and score a touchdown," said Buskirk. "We wanted them to give up all hope on the game."

That was certainly the case as they ended up with 558 total yards of offense, scoring on four possessions in the second half to eventually invoke the mercy rule.

Once again Barkley proved he's one of the best players in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. He rushed for 221 yards, including three TDs. He also caught a pass for a score, breaking Eric Fiore's career mark of 42 after his four touchdown performance, putting him at 45. Barkley now has 781 yards rushing this season.

Liberty had the opportunity to tie the score at 28 right before intermission. They drove the ball to the Whitehall 5-yard line, but a delay of game put the ball on the 10. However, Whitehall proceeded to make their own mistakes, giving the 'Canes two free downs after time expired to try and tie the score. Liberty was unsuccessful, but Whitehall's own woes with penalties (12-101) almost lead to the equalizer.

Still, that stand was a big moral boost, said Gilbert. He said that high school football is often dictated by motivation and momentum. It set the tone for the second half.

"When we got it, we stayed with it," said Gilbert. "That at the end of the half was huge motivation."

He knows they have to play a cleaner game next week against Parkland. The margin of error is much slimmer against the Trojans who have won the last four meetings.

"We just have to keep getting better. "We've improved each week, so we have to keep that going."

While the scoreboard indicated a tale of two halves for the Zephyrs, he felt they played similar football; it just came down to execution.

"[It was] not too much different," said Gilbert. "We just didn't make the plays in first half. We were there, we were in position, we just didn't make the plays. In the second half, we made the plays."