The Northampton football team overcame an early 14-point deficit on the strength of 100-yard rushing efforts by Chase Kessler and Zion McKinney to knock off Delaware Valley 28-24 in the first football game on the new turf in Al Erdosy Stadium.

The Warriors took advantage of a good return of the opening kickoff and drove 55 yards, converting a third-and-8 for a 25-yard passing touchdown on a leaping grab by Jacob Wolak.

The Kids’ opening drive ended in an interception and 40-yard return. Del Val cashed in 2 plays later on a fade to the back line of the end zone to James Dabney.

Down 14-0, the next drive was crucial to get Northampton back in the game. McKinney hit Colby Brearman for a 29-yard gain to convert and third-and-9 and two plays later Chase Kessler took and inside handoff and bounced it out around the right side to get the Kids on the board early in the second quarter.

After the K-Kids’ defense forced a three-and-out, the Northampton offense got back to work. McKinney had a big play by picking up a low snap and breaking numerous tackles for a 24-yard gain. Kessler notched his second score of the night on a three-yard plunge and tied the game at 14.

Del Val opted for a short field goal from the Kids’ 5-yard line to send the teams into halftime with the Warriors holding a 17-14 lead.

Northampton opened the second half with a 15-play, 7:40 drive, all runs, that culminated in Kessler’s third TD of the night to give the Kids their first lead, 21-17.

Del Val responded with a long TD drive of their own to go back on top 24-21 with just over 9 and half minutes left in the contest.

After an exchange of three-and-outs, it took just one play for the K-Kids to seize the go-ahead points. McKinney blasted up the middle on a designed run, cut left and outraced the defense down the far sideline for a 65-yard touchdown.

The Warriors got to midfield on the ensuing drive, but Brearman sealed the game with an interception with 1:30 to play.

McKinney described his game-winning run, “It was amazing blocking up front. Kayden Ibarra got a good kick on the one defender. When I got to the second level Jeremiah Strowder was blocking a guy inside. I saw green up the sideline and I just ran. I threw a pick early and I knew I couldn’t hang my head. My teammates were counting on me and I knew I had to make a play.”

Head coach John Toman offered his postgame analysis, “We spotted them 14 points, but after that I feel like we settled in and kind of took over the line of scrimmage. We’ve got to get better on third down. Third down has been our bugaboo. We have to do a better job getting off the field. But we’re off to a 2 and 0 start. You know they had a chance to beat Beca last week and everybody’s pretty high on Beca. We just have to do a better job getting off the field and figure out how to pass the ball a bit better.”

Delaware Val 14 – 3 – 0 – 7 24

Northampton 0 – 14 – 7 – 7 28

Northampton Passing: McKinney 1 3, 29 yds, INT Brearman 0 1, 0 yds Brobst 0 2, 0 yds Team 1 6, 29 yds, INT

Northampton Rushing: Kessler 24 112, 3 TD McKinney 10 128, TD Wambold 7 40 Brearman 1 3 Team 44 276, 4 TD

Northampton Receiving: Brearman 1 29 Team 1 29

Northampton Defense: Wambold 7 tackles Kleppinger 5 tackles McDonald 4 tackles, Rusnock 3 tackles, Brearman INT (9 yds) Team 42 tackles, 6 TFL, sack, INT