To win a high school football playoff game, teams have to execute, concentrate, limit mistakes and make some big plays.

The Emmaus Green Hornets did all of that in an entertaining 31-24 District 11 Class 6A semifinal playoff win over the Easton on Nov. 10 at East Penn School District Stadium. With the win, the Hornets advance to the District 11 Class 6A final for the first time in their history on Nov. 16, where they will battle the Freedom Patriots. The Patriots earned their trip with a 35-21 semifinal victory over Parkland.

Emmaus didn’t win all the numbers on this night. The Red Rovers registered 23 first downs to the Hornets’ 16. Easton outgained Emmaus in total yardage, 374-295. But Easton never truly established its superiority. The Hornets stood tall when it mattered and won the most important numbers, the ones on the final scoreboard.

The winning score came courtesy of dynamic running back Lubens Myers on a 4-yard touchdown run with 5:11 left in the fourth quarter. Most of the night Myers ran well, and he also registered a nifty 25-yard run on the winning drive.

The game’s tide probably turned earlier and it came courtesy of the Emmaus defense. Tied at 17 after halftime, Easton took the second half kickoff and went on a solid drive, utilizing the run and pass. But a dropped pass killed their momentum and then an Izaiah McPherson interception in the end zone killed the drive.

“Izaiah made a great read coming across the middle,” Emmaus coach Harold Fairclough said. “He took a good shot in the leg, but hung on.”

Emmaus took a 24-17 lead with 1:29 left in the third quarter when quarterback Ethan Parvel ran 12 yards for a touchdown.

Fairclough added McPherson is “playing with a lot of confidence on both sides of the ball” and has developed nicely as the season has progressed.

During the first half, the Rovers were in the red zone knocking on the door three times. The Emmaus defense mitigated the damage by holding Easton to three Enzo Martellucci field goals.

“There is a heightened sense of awareness when you are defending in the red zone,” Fairclough said. “You really have to step up and make some plays. You definitely have your backs to the wall and need to respond.”

The Emmaus defense also controlled Easton’s dynamic backfield duo of Harold Reynolds and Makhi DiSilva. Reynolds, a dangerous runner, gaining just 67 yards on 18 runs. DiSilvia averaged 7.6 yards per carry, but did not break any major runs, gaining 53 yards on seven carries. Easton’s running game garnered 177 yards on 38 carries.

The Rovers went to the air on the arm of quarterback Nate Nimeh, who completed 18 of 33 passes for 181 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Easton receiver Michael Dunlap proved very effective, catching five balls for 148 yards. Easton’s passing game was a menace, but again Emmaus controlled them more often than not.

Emmaus defensive end Sam Goodge had a solid performance, registering eight tackles, two assists and three sacks. Adam Heiserman also had a good night, registering seven tackles and three assists, while Justin Chandler made six tackles and had two assists.

On the opposite side of the ball, Emmaus’ balanced running attack presented a problem for the Red Rover defense. The Green Hornets gained 218 yards on 33 carries, as the offensive line did a good job opening holes for running backs Sone Noth and Myers, and quarterback Parvel. Unable to key on any one runner, Easton gradually conceded territory.

“We had to figure out a way to keep them honest,” the coach said. “I thought we blocked very well and ran hard.”

Parvel completed 4our of 11 passes for 77 yards.

The Hornets scored on the game’s third play when Deonte Castro went 54 yards on a jet sweep for a 7-0 lead. McPherson, who had a big play on defense, also had a big play on offense when he caught a caught a spectacular 30-yard touchdown pass on an acrobatic reception on a fourth down and 20 with 1:48 in the second quarter to give Emmaus a 17-9 lead.

Emmaus also played intelligent football, committing only three penalties for 30 yards and one turnover. The Hornets played a solid, fundamentally sound football game. As result, they have a chance for championship glory and to make Emmaus football history.