The Parkland High School football team rolled through much of its schedule last season, winning its first 12 games. The only defeat the Trojans faced all season was in their final game, the District 11 6A championship game against Easton, to finish 12-1 overall.

But the 2026 season started a little bit differently for Parkland, as it immediately faced adversity and will have to play with more urgency to win games moving forward.

The Trojans took to the road last Friday night as they took on Phillipsburg High School in Phillipsburg, N.J.

The teams were deadlocked at 21-21 in the fourth quarter before the Stateliners found the end zone midway through the final frame and held on for a 28-21 victory in a nonconference game.

It was a shocker to most, as Parkland entered the game ranked fifth in the state in the 6A classification. The Trojans also rarely lose their season openers, let alone a game at all during the regular season.

The Liners even shocked those in attendance at the game as they dropped back for a pass and completed a 23-yarder on their first play. The offense is normally a ground and pound team.

The Stateliners also showed their muscle on both the offensive and defensive lines. The first touchdown of the game came on a three-yard run by a defensive lineman, Elijah Montgomery, to give the hosts a 7-0 lead early in the opening quarter.

The Trojans quickly answered with TJ Lawrence breaking through for a 48-yard touchdown run to tie the score.

In the second quarter, Lawrence tallied his second scoring run of the game, this one from two yards away, as Parkland took its first and last lead of the game at 14-7.

Phillipsburg tied the score thanks to a 15-yard burst by Shane Moore as the two teams went into the locker rooms at halftime tied 14-14.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Stateliners took back the lead on a three-yard run from Vincent Berger, before Blake Nassry caught a 27-yard touchdown throw from Finn Coen as the teams once again were in a deadlock, 21-21.

With 8:25 left to play, Blake Paulus was on the receiving end of a 57-yard pass from Dom Bracco that found pay dirt, and the P-burg defense helped keep that score the rest of the way.

Parkland finished with 281 yards of total offense. Coen went 13-of-19 for 178 yards and a score. Lawrence ran nine times for 76 yards and two TDs. Nassry caught seven passes for 102 yards and the score.

The Trojans remain on the road for their next game when they open up play in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and go to Freedom this Friday night at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium.

The Patriots were 51-20 victors over Downingtown West last weekend in their opener.