Chad Rex has been "The World's Strongest Zephyr" in his weight class for two years in a row, and he put that title to the test on Friday night in a rousing win against Parkland High School.

With the Zephyrs leading 14-0, they began their fourth series of the game at their own 10-yard line. Quarterback Gianni Sinatore pitched the ball to Saquon Barkley. Barkley started to run upfield, drawing the defense toward him. However, the senior running back suddenly stopped, planted his back foot, and launched a strike to Rex who was wide open behind the Trojan defense.

After securing the football, Rex turned and sprinted 65 yards for the completion of a 90-yard TD.

He needed every bit of that speed and stamina to race that distance with defenders in hot pursuit. His score gave the Zephs a commanding 21-0 lead, paving the way for the eventual 38-24 win and the retrieval of the Joe Gerencser Trophy.

"All that speed training in the off-season paid off," said Rex who also made an impact on defense breaking up passes.

The win was especially sweet for the seniors who have watched the Trojans hoist the Gerencser Trophy for three consecutive years.

"I've been playing varsity football since my sophomore year, and we never beat Parkland," said Rex. "It's awesome to finally get a W.

"We've been talking about this since the off-season. We had two goals this year, one of them was to win a district championship, the other was to beat Parkland 'cause we haven't done it in so long, and to accomplish it is no better feeling."

That was the first of two touchdown passes on the night for Barkley who usually does his damage on the ground.

Barkley also did that, rushing for 158 yards, and walking away as the game's Most Valuable Player, following Chris Polony who won it in 2010.

"It's an honor to be mentioned with a lot of great names," said Barkley, noting that current NFL player Andre Williams and former Penn State great Austin Scott both Parkland grads have both been prior recipients. "It's really a special honor."

Barkley was 2-2 through the air for 150 yards, including two TDs.

Barkley said he was going to rib his quarterback about his efficiency as a passer.

"I'm just excited that I threw for more passing yards than my quarterback," said Barkley.

Sinatore's ability to extend the play was another contributing factor in the win. A number of times he was able to elude the Trojans with his speed until he got free for positive yards. He finished the game with 31 yards, the biggest of those a crucial fourth-and-one on their own 29-yard line that eventually led to a score after the Trojans trimmed the lead to 14.

Sinatore also capitalized through the air, throwing for 67 yards and a score. He also caught a pass for a touchdown, helping the Zephs to remain undefeated, setting up another battle of unbeatens when they travel to Easton this Friday.

While the offense was wracking up points against a defense that allowed just 22 points coming into the game, it was the Zephyr defense that set the tone early. They controlled the line of scrimmage, forcing the Trojans to punt on their first six possessions.

"A lot of credit goes to our defensive coordinator, Harold Fairclough, and his defensive staff," said head coach Brian Gilbert. "They work tons of hours putting together a plan.

"And kudos to our kids for following the plan, buying into it, and knowing what they have to do. We definitely won this game because of our defense."

Whitehall played like a team possessed, from Barkley dragging would-be tacklers in his refusal to go down, to Buskirk's stiff arm that sent a defender sprawling, the Zephs seemed determined to erase those three years of losing to their rivals.

Not only was the play on the field aggressive, but the play calling matched that intensity as well. Twice on one drive in the third quarter the Zephs were faced with a fourth down decision.

The Trojans had just scored to make it 24-10, and the Zephs ensuing drive stalled at their own 29. They had a yard to go, and Gilbert decided to go for it. It was reminiscent of last year's district semifinal game when they faced a fourth-and-one at their own 47-yard line with time running out in the first half. In that instance, Barkley was forced out-of-bounds by Jarey Elder, turning the ball over to the Trojans. Cross made the most of the opportunity when he found Eli Redmond for a TD to take a 10-3 lead into halftime.

"I think about last year's game and the same thing happened in a close game, and we went for it on a fourth-and-one and didn't get it," said Gilbert. "Tonight we had to get it. The night we were having we needed to get it."

Facing fourth-and-six five plays later, Gilbert went for it again. This time Barkley threw back across the field to Sinatore who had leaked out of the backfield. The pass went through defender Kenny Yeboah's hands into the waiting arms of Sinatore who galloped 52 yards for the score. That was the backbreaker, extending their lead to 31-10.

Gilbert said that his team was motivated from the opening kickoff.

"Our guys came out with a lot of energy," said Gilbert. "I'm glad that we jumped out fast 'cause that helped us."

Barkley echoed that sentiment.

"We knew we had to come in with an attitude 'cause we're just tired of losing to Parkland," said Barkley. "We came out on defense and punched them in the mouth. We knew we had to keep punching them in the mouth, and then the offense had to pick up, and we did."

Another play that could have swung the momentum was a blocked field goal attempt by Rex. After scoring a field goal to make it 24-3, Parkland recovered the onsides kick and attempted to put another three points on the board before the half. However, Rex flew in from the right side, laid out, and got a piece of the ball.

"My team just needed a play down in the red zone, and I was coming off the edge, and I thought I could get it," said Rex. "I hustled to get there and I got it."

Gilbert knows that beating Parkland is often the measuring stick of a season.

"It's a quality program, quality kids," said Gilbert. "Getting a win over Parkland doesn't come too often. So we'll take it, that's for sure."