Looking ahead to last Friday’s football game with Parkland, head coach Brian Gilbert said that when it comes to rivalry games, records can be thrown out.

With the Trojans coming into the contest undefeated and Whitehall sitting at 2-2, the odds were stacked against the Zephyrs who were looking to retain possession of the Joe Gerencser Trophy.

But as Gilbert indicated, everything that transpired before that game wasn’t relevant. It was that game and that game only.

And when the Zephs surged to an 8-0 lead on a cold, blustery night in Orefield, the power of a nothing-matters-but-this-game mentality started to take shape.

They slugged it out with the Trojans in the second half, and had the ball late in the fourth quarter with a chance to tie the game, but the game eventually turned on the talent of veteran quarterback Devante Cross, whose three-yard burst into the end zone with a little over three minutes left sealed the Trojans 42-28 victory.

While it was a loss to their rivals, they were still in a position to win late in the game.

“We almost had ‘em,” said Gilbert whose club now falls to 2-3 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. “We had a chance in the fourth quarter to drive the ball and to tie it up. We gave ourselves that chance.”

That drive ended on a fumble as the Trojans capitalized on the miscue to ensure the trophy was going back into their case.

That turnover, while costly, was the only one committed by the Zephyrs, a huge improvement for a team that had eight over their last two games. Essentially, the turnover battle was a wash, with Cross tossing an interception earlier in the game.

But it was Cross’ ability to put the Trojans on his shoulders, well, make that his legs, as he rushed for 154 yards, including 5 TDs that proved to be the difference. He also threw for 268 yards, adding another touchdown through the air. His performance earned him the game’s MVP award, etching his name among some of the area’s best football players through the years.

“He had a really big second half,” said Gilbert. “We kept the other guys in check, only rushing for 35 yards [between them], but he was the difference in the game.”

The game began on a good note for the Zephs. They took the opening kickoff and drove to midfield where their drive stalled, but Gianni Sinatore’s punt pinned the Trojans deep in their own end. The Zephs then stuffed Parkland on three plays, forcing a punt. The snap sailed through the end zone for a safety, giving the Zephs a 2-0 lead.

After forcing another turnover on downs, one of four they induced in the game, they marched 57 yards on 14 plays, culminating in a 3-yard score by Sinatore. Without senior Conor Ilgenfritz, who was unavailable until later in the game because of soccer, the Zephs attempted a two-point conversion, but failed. The lead was now 8-0.

That score held up until later in the second quarter when Cross engineered a 10-play, 53-yard drive to knot the score at 8 after a successful two-point conversion.

The Zephs then turned once again to their own difference maker, senior Sinatore who answered that drive by turning a broken play into six points once he found receiver Desmond Boykin for a 66-yard score.

That play highlighted Sinatore’s athletic ability as he was forced to handle a shotgun snap before he was ready, staying calm as the play began to break down, and then ultimately finding Boykin for the short pass which was converted into a touchdown.

Sinatore had another superb game, finished the windy night 16-31 for 278 yards and two TDs. He also rushed for 100 yards on 15 carries, scoring another TD.

“He had his best game of the year,” said Gilbert.

Boykin, who was able to weave his way through the Trojan defense for the score, has emerged as a potent offensive weapon. He now has 23 catches for 441 yards on the season, including four TDs.

“He’s turning into a player we’re counting on for offensive production,” said Gilbert.

Ilgenfritz proved valuable as well, making two field goals to keep the Zephs within striking distance on that bitter night.

The defense also turned up the intensity, making sure they were in a position to win the game into the fourth quarter. Devin Martinez led the team with 13 tackles, while Ryan Klaugh added another interception, his second this season.

While they were unable to recover the three fumbles the Trojans committed, Gilbert was proud of the way his guys battled on both sides of the ball.

“I was proud of our guys and how they handled themselves against Parkland,” Gilbert said. “We matched their intensity.”

Even though it’s another game in the loss column, it give them something to build upon as they look to make the postseason.

“We’re still not there yet, but we took a step in the right direction,” said Gilbert.