Five games into the season, it looked as if the Emmaus football team’s goal of making it to the postseason was in serious jeopardy. The Green Hornets started 1-4, but improved each game.

Now, riding a three-game winning streak Emmaus (4-4) is the 13th-place team in the District 11/2/4 Class AAAA rankings heading into this week’s meeting with Whitehall. The Hornets still have an outside chance to earn a district playoff berth. That would take a pair of wins in their last two games, but for now they will just focus on this week’s contest against the Zephyrs.

“We’ve come a long way since starting the season at 1-4,” said Emmaus head coach Randy Cuthbert. “We’re really coming along nicely as a team and improving each week. We just take each week one game at a time.”

Last weekend, Emmaus traveled to Pocono Mountain East and won 56-6. Not only was it a win, but it was a game in which Cuthbert was able to rest some of his starters.

Sal Pagano rushed for 120 yards and two scores, and was a big part of the defense that shutdown PM East.

“Sal was great,” Cuthbert said about the running back/linebacker. “He is kind of like an unsung hero for us. He is a key player and does a lot of good things for us on both sides of the ball.”

Pagano and the defense will have their hands full slowing down Zephyr quarterback Gianni Sinatore. In a 38-20 victory over Nazareth last Friday night, Sinatore accounted for three touchdowns in leading Whitehall back from a 14-0 deficit. The senior rushed for 173 yards with two touchdowns, and threw for 101 yards and a score.

“He makes everything go,” Cuthbert said. “Their offense runs through him. They’re a young team, but just like us, have gotten better towards the end of the season.”

Tailback Tavion George rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown, and Bryce Crum also found the end zone on the ground for the Zephyrs.

Whitehall (3-5) is one place ahead of Emmaus in the district rankings.

It’s a game of surging teams and an important one for postseason hopes.

The Hornets will end the season the next week with a Nov. 6 trip to Parkland (7-1).