The Emmaus High School football team has been used to being underdogs, especially during the 2025 season, and is accustomed to some big upset victories. Last year, the Hornets were the fourth seed in districts and took down the top seed, Easton, 20-19, in the semifinal round to advance to the championship game.

The Hornets tried to do something similar this season, albeit in an earlier round, but the No. 1 seed Red Rovers were up to the task this year and knocked out eighth-seeded Emmaus 28-7 last Friday night at Cottingham Stadium. It was win number 900 for Easton as a program.

Emmaus ended its year at 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

The Red Rovers accounted for a touchdown in each quarter and the Hornets added a touchdown in the fourth quarter to prevent the shutout.

Easton took its opening drive and scored when quarterback Cole Ordway ran in for a three-yard touchdown. Both defenses held firm throughout the first half and the Red Rovers found pay dirt with just 24 seconds to go until halftime as Ordway found Sean McPeek for a 19-yard touchdown pass and 14-0 advantage as the teams went into the locker room.

Just like it did to begin the first quarter, Easton recorded a touchdown on its opening drive of the third quarter, a 6:58 drive that was capped by a touchdown run from Trevon Tyler to push the lead to 21-0.

Emmaus quarterback Jerek Cooper helped himself out as he recovered a Red Rovers fumble on defense and then scrambled for a 44-yard touchdown run later in the fourth quarter to get his team on the scoreboard.

After recovering the ensuing onside kick, Emmaus was in business looking to rally, but that quickly vanished as McPeek came up with an interception and took it to the house for the 28-7 advantage with less than a minute remaining.

Cooper rushed for 80 yards and the touchdown and threw for 44 yards.

Easton advanced to the semifinal round to meet the fourth seed, Liberty, Friday night back at Cottingham Stadium.