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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Zephyrs win

The Whitehall defense took charge early, and the offense followed suit in the second half as they rolled past Northampton to close out their Eastern Pennsylvania Conference schedule with a win.

The Zephyrs forced five turnovers (including pick sixes from Ryan Klaugh and Jackson Buskirk) and limited the Konkrete Kids to just 100 yards total offense en route to a 35-0 win last Friday at Zephyr Stadium. In doing so, they retained the Cement Bowl trophy for another year.

Whitehall didn’t waste anytime getting on the scoreboard. They went 49 yards in 10 plays on their first possession, capped by a 15-yard touchdown toss from Gianni Sinatore to Desmond Boykin.

After that initial score, the defense asserted itself, forcing turnovers on two of the next three K-Kids possessions, getting interceptions from Bryce Crum and Buskirk, with Buskirk returning the pick 44-yards for the TD.

Senior Jake Kovalchick was part of a defense that kept the Kids off the scoreboard, recording a tackle for a 4-yard loss in that dominant first half which saw them allow just 38 total yards to their cross-river rivals. Their ability to pitch a shutout was an emphatic end to the season.

“We’re just playing hard out there,” said Kovalchick. “It’s our last game for our seniors and everyone’s just working hard out there, wrapping up, just playing hard.”

With the win, the Zephs still had an outside shot of making the Eastern Conference Playoffs, but needed help from Muhlenberg and Stroudsburg in their games against Reading and Pleasant Valley, respectively. However, that didn’t come to fruition and the Zephs season finished the season 4-6.

Heading into the game, the defense focused on stopping the Kids ground game.

“We just tried our best to stop the run and make them pass the ball a lot,” said Kovalchick.

Their ability to throttle the running game, allowing just 99 yards on the ground, led to Northampton having to put the ball in the air which opened the door to those interceptions.

“That was a great defensive game plan,” said head coach Brian Gilbert. “The kids executed it great. We jumped on the passes and we stuffed the run. We definitely saved the best defensive game for the last one.”

Gilbert said that it took a lot of pressure off the offense which allowed them to get a lot of different players some touches. In all, five different receivers caught passes with Desmond Boykin leading the way with six receptions for 32 yards and a score. On the ground, five different players toted the rock with senior Brandon Jones finishing with 40 yards.

Senior Phil Reeves also had a big final game, finishing with three tackles and a pass breakup. He also scored on a shovel pass, going six yards for his second receiving TD of the season.

The Zephs lone rushing TD came on a quarterback keeper, with Sinatore bolting 57 yards on Whitehall’s first play from scrimmage in the second half. With the score 35-0 in the final period, the senior was lifted, finishing the game 10-16 for 59 yards and two TDs. He also rushed for another 89 yards, including that long TD run.

Coming into the season, Sinatore, the lone starter returning on offense, was the focal point of opponents as they game planned for the Zephs. Even with all that attention, Sinatore finished the season with 1,838 passing yards, including 12 TDs. He was equally impressive on the ground, rushing for 728 yards to lead the team.

Over his two years at the helm, Sinatore has passed for 3,678 yards and tossed 36 touchdowns. His yardage total this season places him among the top ten all-time among Whitehall quarterbacks for a single season, slotting the 2015 mark right behind his 2014 mark, holding the 4th and 5th spots. His 3,678 mark also places him second all-time in career passing yards for Whitehall QBs.

His rushing total over that two-year span stands at 1,003 yards.

While he put up those outstanding numbers over his career, Gilbert was just as impressed with his durability.

“That’s something’s that’s overlooked,” said Gilbert. “All those hits he’s taken, all that pounding, sacks, and running the ball. Gianni hasn’t missed a game in two years.”

Gilbert said he couldn’t say that about anyone else when it comes to skill players who’ve played that many games.

Sinatore’s high school football career may have ended against Northampton, but his play will leave a lasting legacy. He guided them to 12 wins over those two seasons. The road to the record books was paved with a lot of sweat and sacrifice.

“A lot of heart, a lot of dedication,” said Sinatore. “It was a good ride, but hopefully it’s not over. But if this was our last game to go out, it was good, it was fun.”

Sinatore said that the mindset heading into the final game was to simply let it all out on the field. He said the seniors really stepped up, paving the way to victory.

Sinatore’s first impact as a varsity plater was when he scored on a fake field goal against Parkland during his sophomore season. Since that time, while running the team as the QB, he said that he’s had to work on his leadership skills.

“I really had to work on my leadership,” said Sinatore. “And as my skills increased, with the help of my teammates, especially my offensive line, and as a young line they played big this year, and that allowed me to do what I did this season.”

Sinatore said it’s an honor being among those “Whitehall greats” who’ve played the position.

Gilbert said the person is equally outstanding as the player.

“It’s been his team for the last two years, and what a great kid,” said Gilbert.

The seniors had a major impact on this game, helping the Zephs end the season on a high note. That list includes, Sinatore, Reeves, Jones, Kovalchick, Bryce Crum, Subham Patel, Carey Owily, Darius Mensah, Jacob Bird, Justin Maicks, Danny Perez, Shane Gibbs, Jon Andrews and Connor Ilgenfritz.

“Our seniors in the second half of the year have really stepped up,” said Gilbert. “That’s what we needed and they rose to the occasion.”

“It was a great season, I had fun with everyone, in games and in practice,” said Kovalchick. “It’s a great group to work with.”

Press photo by Bob BrandmeirGianni Sinatore looks to stay out of the reach of Kid defenders during last week's victory over Northampton.