With a sour taste left in their mouth after their 6-6 season last year, Northampton’s football season will begin this Saturday with a 10 a.m. scrimmage against Upper Perkiomen, who finished with a 6-5 overall record last season.

The Konkrete Kids competed in the newly formed East Penn Conference (EPC) Northampton Division, composed mainly of their old EPC South opponents. Northampton had a dominant run in the EPC North, where they compiled an overall 33-5 record.

Last year, the Kids went 3-4 in the league overall and 1-4 in the Northampton Division. They did lose 22 seniors from last year’s team.

Yet, head coach John Toman, who is beginning his fifth year at the helm, has been pleased with their work ethic and effort during the summer.

“It has been all good so far,” said Toman. “This group is working hard and focused on getting better with each practice.

“The spring and spring and summer were productive. We are where we want to be as far as scheme and technique go.”

Toman confirmed that most of the starting spots have been set. One key battle that remains is at linebacker under assistant head coach Kevin Ronalds. Chase Czarnecki and Kevin Nunez and battling for a spot there.

Senior Gavin Taff will open at quarterback for the Kids. He took over early in is sophomore and will be a three-year starter. Last season, Taff completed 113 of 203 attempts for 1,302 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Taff also ran for 241 yards on 71 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Taff likes the current state of the his team.

“Everyone is feeling comfortable with the game plan on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball,” said Taff. “We feel pretty good going into the scrimmage. It will give us a good look at where we are, and if we are prepared to go against the South (EPC Northampton Division) teams.”

Fellow senior Zeke Spencer is the Kids’ leading ground gainer returning with 378 yards on 39 carries with six touchdowns.

Northampton will open its season the following week when they travel to Pennsbury Aug. 22 for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Kids will host East Stroudsburg South the following week.

In addition, Northampton will travel to Catasauqua Thanksgiving morning for the 100th meeting in series, possibly marking the last game in the historic series.