With a full moon hovering over Bethlehem Area School District Stadium last Friday night, the Zephyrs pulled off some fourth quarter magic as they scored on a jump back pass with 1:55 remaining to hand Liberty their first loss of the season.

After the Hurricanes took the lead 21-20 with a 2:44 left in the game, it seemed Whitehall would once again lose in heartbreaking fashion despite taking the lead just a little over a minute earlier. The Zephs had scored on a Tavion George 15-yard run giving them the lead, but a missed PAT opened the door for the ‘Canes to go ahead if they scored a touchdown.

That’s exactly what happened as they returned the kickoff to midfield. On the first play of the drive, quarterback Todd Erney hit Jaohne Duggan for a 33-yard gain. Facing third and seven at the Zephyr 15-yard-line, running back Gunner Anglovich cut to the outside and scored. The ‘Canes converted the PAT and now led by a point.

It seemed lightning would strike twice.

But Whitehall’s magic elixir this night was wearing #3. Dez Boykin’s monster night was about to continue. The junior would put his personal stamp on the game. He had already caught nine passes for 188 yards, scoring three TDs. And his kickoff return to Liberty’s 43-yard line set up George’s score.

Whitehall had been in this same spot last week, and once again Zach Gilbert calmly drove them down the field, hitting Ryan Klough and Jackson Buskirk for first downs to keep the chains moving. Braxton Marrero also figured prominently on the ground during the drive, gaining 15 yards.

Zach Gilbert led them to Liberty’s 25-yard line. With the Zephs looking to convert on third and nine, Gilbert rolled to his left, jumped, and tossed the ball across the field to Boykin who reached high and snagged the ball, and then raced into the end zone for the winning TD. They converted the two-point conversion, giving them their first EPC South win of the year, 28-21.

It was a big win for the Zephs who needed a boost in the arm after two tough losses.

“We needed this one,” said head coach Brian Gilbert.

Gilbert knew that traveling to Bethlehem to play undefeated Liberty would be a huge challenge. The ‘Canes were coming off a big win over Parkland and were looking to keep that tide rolling.

Whitehall made sure that didn’t happen.

“I am so proud of these kids,” said Gilbert. “If you could have seen the demise after last week’s game, and we regrouped on Sunday, and we didn’t get any backlash, no rolling of the eyes. All they did was listen to everything we said all week.”

Boykin’s ability to score that final touchdown showed the type of playmaker he is.

“I knew it was a big-time play; I had to step up,” said Boykin. “I knew the DB had a good break on the ball, but I went for the ball and came down with it, and I knew I had to score.”

Gilbert appreciated Boykin’s effort.

“The ball was a little high, he went up and got it and made great play,” said Gilbert. “It’s not like he’s hiding. People know where he is and what he can do. When you can still make plays when everyone’s kind of pointing out where you’re lining up on the field, then kudos to him.”

Boykin said that the win served as a big bounce back for the team, especially since it was against undefeated Liberty.

Boykin, who has the ability to score every time he touches that ball, said that he was looking to get the team back on track.

“It’s about just keep on working, and getting my team going,” said Boykin.

It’s not the first time they’ve run that jump pass, and last week it didn’t work against Nazareth. Still, it was the play they dialed up on that critical third down.

“We practiced it all this week, all five days,” said Boykin. “We practiced it and practiced it, and then followed through.”

“It’s a 50-50 shot sometimes with that thing,” said Gilbert, acknowledging that once Zach Gilbert is in the air, he has to commit to the play.

Whitehall’s defense was another big part of the story. They made a number of big plays on fourth down, most notably when the ‘Canes were driving late in the second quarter. With the ball on the Zephyr’s 15-yard line, Anthony Dex, Kori Zacharias and Jakob Hudak forced Erney into an incompletion, flushing him from the pocket.

Buskirk and Zach Pantoni were also instrumental in Liberty turning the ball over on downs this time at the start of the fourth quarter, preserving a 14-7 lead. But just a series later, Gunner broke off a 42-yard run to tie the score at 14.

But Whitehall made plays, especially in the defensive backfield. Wide receiver Darian Street got free on a couple of occasions, turning a first quarter crossing route in a 50-yard gain, but was held in check in the second half. The Zephs had seven pass break-ups that thwarted Liberty’s momentum, two of those coming after Streets’s big play that took the ball to Whitehall’s 20-yard line. Devin Castro and Buskirk each swatted away balls that forced Liberty to turn the ball over on downs.

“Everything we did right in this game, we practiced this week, and that’s what’s so great to see,” said Gilbert. “We repped it out and did it over and over certain things, and because of that we did it right tonight.”

Zach Gilbert finished the game 17-32 for 201 yards and two scores. Buskirk added the other TD pass, completing a 56-yard strike to Boykin. George finished with 85 yards on the ground, including a TD, while Marrero added 81.