When defenses key on Kyle Boney, Emmaus needs to be ready to adjust.

The Hornets did just that Friday night in a 56-6 rout of Pocono Mountain East.

Emmaus’ fullback Sal Pagano took advantage in the running game, amassing for 104 yards and a pair of touchdown. While quarterback Derek Sheaffer and receiver Josh Artis took advantage in the passing game.

“I thought we played well all around,” said Emmaus head coach Randy Cuthbert. “I thought it was solid. That’s what we needed. I thought we started fast. We had a lot of guys stepping up and making plays. That’s been what’s been going on the last couple weeks. That really helps a lot.”

The Hornets ran right through the Cardinal defense, spoiling homecoming in Swiftwater and extending their win streak to three games.

They ran for seven yards or more on seven of their first nine rushing attempts.

Emmaus took the opening kick off and went 61 yards in just seven plays. Boney scored on a one-yard run just over three minutes into the game.

The Hornets (4-4) got the ball back quickly after a Kyle Tarboro interception and six plays later they were in the end zone again on a one-yard sneak by Sheaffer for a 14-0 lead with 4:43 left in the first quarter.

The Cardinals (2-6) fumbled on their next play from scrimmage, leading to another Boney touchdown and a 21-0 first-quarter lead.

Pagano, who accounted for 52 yards on Emmaus’ first two drives, got into the scoring action two possession later when he broke free for an 18-yard touchdown then busted off a 48-yard scoring run on the Hornets’ next drive to end his night with five carries and one reception for a total of 116 yards.

“Sal just works hard,” said Cuthbert. “He’s been great for us all year. The way they were lining up on defense, they were bunching up on Kyle and we hit them with the C gap plays to Sal. We hadn’t run those plays much because we haven’t had the C gap open.”

Emmaus got he ball right back on a fumble and Boney carried the ball every play of a six-play, 43- yard drive that ended with his 25th rushing touchdown of the season and gave his team a 42-0 lead with 2:51 left in the first half.

The Hornet defense allowed just one first down and just 19 total yards through that point in the game. The Cardinals’ first six possessions resulted in three turnovers and three punts.

Pagano, a middle linebacker who is second on the team in tackles, likes the way the defense has improved over the last three weeks.

“We stepped it up,” said Pagano. “We’re playing as a unit now. We’re playing as a whole instead of individuals. You’ve got to trust the person next to you.”

The Hornets haven’t given up as many big plays over the past three weeks.

“I think they’ve been tackling a lot better,” said Cuthbert. “We’ve been in better position. We’re not giving up home runs. I think they’re playing sound and they’re gaining some confidence the last couple weeks. Hopefully they’re going to carry that through the next two weeks.”

Lubens Myers scored on a three-yard run in the third quarter to put the Hornets ahead 48-0. After the Cardinals broke the shut out early in the fourth quarter, the Hornets made it 56-6 on Cody Gross’34-yard touchdown run with 6:17 left in the game.

“It was overall a complete effort from everyone – offense, defense and special teams,” said Pagano. “We just went out there and had fun. We’re starting to believe in ourselves more because once you get the ball rolling it gets easier and easier.”

Sheaffer went 4-for-8 passing for 75 yards. Receiver Josh Artis caught three passes for 61 yards.

“He threw some good balls and Josh Artis is starting to make some plays,” said Cuthbert. “Those are things we need to do more of with some of the opponents we have coming up. We’re just going to keep working and getting better. Everyone knows we have Boney but we need to be able to do some other stuff, too.”

Emmaus is 13th in the District 11/2/4 subregional Class AAAA rankings, but is still in contention to get into the top eight and earn a district playoff berth. It will take wins over Whitehall and Parkland the next two weeks, and maybe some help from other teams.

But the Hornets are just worried about winning next week and getting better in the process.

“We played some very good teams early and we didn’t play well but we continued to get better each week,” said Cuthbert. “We weren’t winning but we were getting better. We told them to just focus in on one week at a time. It’s a one-week season and don’t think about anything else. Let’s get one and then let’s get two. Now we’ve got three in a row and we’re starting to get out of the hole.”

Pagano, a senior, looks forward to the challenge of the next two weeks.

“As the games go on and on, the games get more important,” he said. “So bring on Whitehall. I’m thrilled.”