Northampton had another hard-fought battle with Nazareth again by a 31-21 score, and the Konkrete Kids lost the game that could have easily flipped the other way.

The Kids executed their game plan like they did last year in their 41-28 victory last year before they dropped a tight 37-36 defeat in a district playoff game.

“We shortened the game like last year, utilizing the play clock on every play,” noted Kids’ head coach John Toman. “We were able to score on three of four possessions in the first half, but in the second half we only had two possessions and failed to execute well enough to continue drives.”

Toman was proud of his team’s effort.

“The kids battled their butts off all night especially defensively after we had a couple kids go out due to injury,” added Toman. “It was an awesome effort by players and coaches, just came up a little short.”

Kids’ senior running back Chase Kessler, who ran for 161 yards, believed his team had a good opportunity, but he also is looking forward to a possible rematch.

“I felt like we had a good chance at beating them up,” said Kessler. “But sometimes you don’t get everything you want.

“We were right there, but we couldn’t get off the field defensively. That’s alright, but the offense should’ve scored when we had the ball. We didn’t get the job done overall, we just have to stay active and hungry.”

The Kids opened with Zion McKinney at quarterback and then switched to Luke Stopay.

Toman thought the quarterback would be effective.

“We have been working with both quarterbacks, trying to utilize their skills,” said Toman. “We started the game with a formation designed for him (McKinney).

Stopay, who took over the starting job four games ago, liked his team’s showing against Nazareth.

“I felt as though I saw the game pretty well, and felt like we were moving the ball,” recalled Stopay, who completed three of seven passes for 54 yards. “We just need to find a way to continue to be productive offensively in the second half. Yeah, we were right with them, that’s a good team, but when we play to our full potential all game we can hang with everybody.”

The Kids have another challenge Friday night when they host Bethlehem Catholic, who posted a 42-28 win over Liberty last week.

“Beca will be a challenge,” said Toman. “They throw the ball well.”

Kessler is anxious to play Bethlehem Catholic, and he also is awaiting a possible rematch with Nazareth and other teams that defeated them this season in the postseason.

“We are looking forward to getting them (Nazareth) in the playoffs,” said Kessler. “We’ll have second chances in the playoffs against a lot of teams.”

KIDS’ KUDOS: Their previous two meetings were close contests. Becahi won last year’s game by a 24-21 score, and Northampton won the 2024 contest by a 21-20 score ... Kessler has 209 carries for 1,386 yards for a 6.6 average and 12 touchdowns for the season ... Stopay has completed 34 of 58 passes for 360 yards with three touchdowns and one interception on the season ... McKinnery ran for 84 yards on nine carries against Nazareth. He is the team’s second-leading rusher with 401 yards on 74 carries with five touchdowns ... Colby Brearman has 10 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns this season ... Robert Wambold has a team-high 63 tackles, D.J. McDonald has 51, and Evan Kleppinger has 41. Tyree Williams has three sacks ... Bethlehem Catholic has won four of its last five games. Their lone blemish along the way was a 52-49 loss to Nazareth. Their other feat was a 20-14 loss to Easton, and the Golden Hawks have dropped their two games by a combined nine points. Bethlehem Catholic quarterback Axel Burkart threw for 469 yards with four touchdowns against Liberty. He is having a banner season, completing 127 of 202 attempts for 2,563 yards with 24 touchdowns and five interceptions. His primary target has been Carter Vassa, who has 52 catches for 1,154 yards with 12 touchdowns. Vass had 13 receptions for 249 yards and two touchdowns against Liberty. Justin Martinez ran for 111 yards against Liberty, and he has run for 598 yards with 12 touchdowns this season.

PREDICTION (My season record 7-2): This will be the Kids’ final regular-season game, and Al Erdosy field should be buzzing. Kids are trying to stop a two-game losing streak, and avoid their first three-game losing streak since the beginning of last season. Toman will look to slow down the game again against Beca’s high-octane passing offense. Nazareth quarterback Cooper Madson threw for 279 yards with a pair of touchdowns last week. Tough call here, but I believe the Kids can find some magic at home. This time around, coach Ronalds, the Sal’s cheesesteak is on me ... KIDS 21-20.