In case your appetite for high-stakes football wasn't satiated last week, this week will provide another opportunity to feast on an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference battle with championship implications.

The Zephyrs will travel to Cottingham Stadium on Friday to take on the undefeated Red Rovers. It's the second consecutive year the Zephs will make the trek to the storied building. Last year they defeated Easton 31-14, ruining the Red Rovers chance at a Lehigh Valley Conference Championship.

The winner will have a decided edge in the race for a league championship. Right now both teams are a half game behind Freedom High School who sits atop the South Division at 5-0 (4-0 in the division). Both the Red Rovers and Whitehall are 3-0 in the division, but the Pates have a North Division game against Dieruff High School this weekend which would give the winner of the Whitehall-Easton game a share of first place.

Big plays were the storyline last year. The Zephs scored on a 77-yard kickoff return by Mustafa Mitchell, and a 55-yard scoring strike from Jeff Charles to Conor Sullivan. They also had two interceptions that help set up other scores.

The Red Rovers have only surrendered 28 points this season and have registered two consecutive shutouts, one of which was a 37-0 win over Allentown Central Catholic High School.

Easton features a number of talented players led by back Shane Simpson. He's accumulated 609 yards on the ground so far this season, with back-to-back 150-plus yard games heading into Friday's tilt. Joining Simpson in the backfield is Dalvyn Reynolds who has two 100-plus games on the ground this season.

The Red Rovers also have Trey Durrah under center who threw for over 100 yards in their win over the Vikings. On the outside they feature Alec Bina and Kyle Walsh.

Whitehall boasts the best back in the league in Barkley. Through five games, Barkley has a league-leading 937 yards rushing, including 13 TDs. He also has six catches this year for another score, and has a punt return for a score as well.

His backfield partner, Jacob Buskirk, also poses problems for defenses, both as a runner and pass catcher.

Quarterback Gianni Sinatore has thrown for 682 yards and 10 touchdowns. The junior has also been effective with the ball, tossing only one interception this season. He's also helped his team with his legs, rushing for 118 yards so far this season.

Conor Sullivan leads all receivers in catches with 28, while Chad Rex leads the corps of wideouts in yards with 285.

The Whitehall offensive line has been making strides all year. The young line has jelled. They're anchored by at center by Anthony Dex. At guard is Danny Roustic, while Angel Rodriguez and Orlando Bonilla split time at the other guard position. At right tackle is Matt Meyers, while Edgardo Rivera is their left tackle. Tight end Zach Hixson rounds out this crew that has paved the way for 2,194 total yards this season.

They Zephs know the Red Rovers will be looking to avenge last year's loss. They will have to face another determined opponent after an emotional game last week. Head coach Brian Gilbert knows they can't afford to have a post-Parkland hangover.

"We can't have a letdown 'cause it's Easton." said Gilbert. "They'll be looking for revenge and we just need to be smart. We need to be ready."

Gilbert said after sharing a league title the last two years, the team talked about "owning the championship themselves" at practice. He said that's been the motivation as they get ready for another huge test.

"If we don't prepare right, we won't be sole champions," he said.

He also knows the Red Rovers will come out fired up, looking to end Whitehall's run of victories the last two seasons.

"We just have to match their intensity," said Gilbert.

Gilbert said that Easton would like nothing better than to knock the Zephs from the ranks of the unbeaten, and expects head coach Steve Shiffert to have them primed and ready.

"The Easton program has a lot of pride," Gilbert said. "They don't want to play second fiddle to anyone."

Gilbert hopes that big plays will once again become the storyline. With so many underclassmen contributing in last year's win via the big play, he has confidence knowing his seniors have that capability.

"That's always good, when you have guys who can make big plays like that," said Gilbert.

Barkley knows it will be another tough test in their quest for a championship.

"Easton's a great team," said Barkley. "Their core seven are just as good as Parkland. They have a great back in Shane Simpson. It's going to be a great game."