Northampton head football coach Kyle Haas realizes the importance of his upcoming six-game, East Penn Conference (EPC) schedule.

Haas indicated that the top-four teams in the Class 6A bracket will qualify for the proposed district playoff format.

“It’s the playoffs,” said Haas. “Every game will be a slugfest. We have been pushing hard, and we’re getting better every day.

“We have to be playing well right out of the gate. It will come down to every play being important, and we don’t have any room for error.”

The Konkrete Kids will be competing in the Northampton County division and will open at Freedom Oct. 2.

They then will travel to Nazareth (Oct. 9) before their home opener against Liberty (Oct. 16). The Kids will host Easton (Oct. 23) and end at Whitehall (Oct. 30).

He also can see a sign of relief among his players.

“There was a lot of indecision, but we kept trying to reassure,” added Haas. “It didn’t look good for a couple of weeks.

“But we have been together for nine weeks, and we have grown and gotten better.”

Senior quarterback Joe Kerbacher will have a veteran backfield with fellow seniors Owen Baker and Mike Cruz along with juniors Isaiah Harris and Everett Luisi. Harris played football as a freshman and then turned his attention to basketball.

Senior Zion Raub is back at fullback and fellow senior Jonathan Mannino and junior Isaiah Robinson will vie for some time there.

“Baker and Cruz are the most experienced, and Harris was a nice surprise,” said Haas. “Everett and Luisi will get opportunities, and I feel good about our fullback situation.”

Junior and backup quarterback Cooper King will head a deep receiving corps that includes senior Jeriah Chevere, junior Vic Hunt, sophomore Jalen Richardson, and freshman Mike Coleman.

Senior Kyle Perl and junior Caden Reph will handle tight end.

Up front, the Kids have a veteran unit with seniors Sam Nelson and Cody Shucker and juniors Austin Cavallo and Ethan Schweitzer. Sophomores Christian Bundra and Luke Baker are in a battle for the final spot.

With a solid schedule filled with former EPC South opponents, the Kids have plenty of work ahead. They have a scrimmage with Emmaus on Sept. 25.

“It’s tough,” offered Haas. “We’re get a read on where we are at. It will be a reality and will be big test, no doubt about it. We have a good rivalry going with Whitehall. After we beat them last year, now we have a rivalry.

“I feel good for our seniors. It gives them some assemblance of a season. We’ll have to be as prepared as we can be.”