For the first 20 minutes of Whitehall football team’s home opener against Nazareth, the Zephyrs and Blue Eagles stayed even, but Nazareth pulled away just before halftime and rolled to a 49-13 victory over Whitehall.

Nazareth was first on the scoreboard after Whitehall fumbled on the opening kickoff.

The Zephyrs responded with Tanner Dogmanits’ 40-yard pass to Henry Schultz to even the score after Nick Milley’s extra point.

Nazareth quarterback Cooper Madson then found Luke Depietro for a 20-yard touchdown to end the first quarter.

Dogmanits ran in for a touchdown with 8:02 left in the second quarter, but Milley missed the extra point.

After Nazareth scored for the third time, Whitehall’s Nazavier Calcano was headed for a big return on the kickoff until the ball shot up and out from the wide receiver for a fumble at the 45-yard line.

The Blue Eagles took advantage and went to halftime leading, 28-13.

The Zephyrs were shut out in the third quarter, and mercy rule went into effect with 4:15 left in the third.

The Zephs had opportunities to prevent the mercy rule after Dogmanits’ completion to CJ Lowe at Nazareth’s 17-yard line but were unable to convert from inside the 5-yard line.

Whitehall, now 1-1 on the season, will host Northampton on Sept. 11.