Heading into their opening-round PIAA Class 4A state playoff game against Wissahickon Wednesday, Northampton’s boys’ soccer team won’t forget their first-ever District 11 championship.

Whatever the outcome of their state game, the Konkrete Kids will cherish their inaugural crown. The Kids avenged their earlier East Penn Conference semifinal 5-2 loss to longtime nemesis Parkland with a 2-1 victory in the district game.

Northampton had a 20-2-1 record going into the state game. The Kids also dispensed of Emmaus in the semifinals on penalty kicks, another longtime thorn in their side.

“It feels like a dream come true,” reflected junior Jacob Fallenstein. “Coming into this year, we aspired to win a championship, and we got knocked out of EPCs by Parkland so to bounce back and come out and win felt like a true comeback story.

“Coach (Chris) Bastidas changed up how we played all season and the team responded by coming out with wins against Emmaus and Parkland in the playoffs, two teams who we’ve struggled to beat as long as I’ve been at Northampton, so I think we are playing at the top of our game.”

Fallenstein saw the championship as a parallel to the Philadelphia Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory.

“It reminds me of watching the Eagles with Nick Foles beat Tom Brady because coming into the game I think Parkland thought they were going to win EPCs and districts. Many would have thought that as well, but our team knew we had it in us to come out on top and win.”

Bastidas, who is in his fifth season leading the club, also will cherish the feeling for a while. The Kids made their run without all-EPC, first-team choice senior Blake Turner due to an injury, and junior Jariel Medina was ineligible due to the transfer rule.

“Winning the district is an amazing feeling,” exclaimed Bastidas. “The players and coaches have put in so much, not just this season but for the last five years, and to be able to have the payoff of winning the first ever district title is incredible. Especially to win it the way we did: we were looked at as a fringe playoff team to start the season, then had a great regular season, then we lost two all EPC players for the district title run, then we had to go through Emmaus and Parkland to win it.

“It’s so special. And the players understand that Emmaus and Parkland are two phenomenal teams, so beating them back to back is an amazing achievement.”

Bastidas watched his players adapt to his game plan.

“I think the players bought into our game plan, which they only had a couple days to learn, and performed it to perfection,” stressed Bastidas. “Nobody thought we couldn’t win; it was just determining how we were going to win.”

Bastidas credited the consistent play of senior Ryan Nahf, who has 128 saves and 15 shutouts.

“Ryan is the best goalkeeper in the state,” beamed Bastidas. “I keep saying it and he keeps proving me correct. He makes big time save after big time save. At certain points it feels like there is no way to score on him.

“There are moments when the ball looks destined for the goal, and he comes out of nowhere and catches it. He is in complete control and he owns the box.”

Nahf also will long maintain the memories of the district crown.

“Winning the district championship has been more than what I could’ve ever dreamed of,” boasted Nahf. “It’s an amazing feeling making history for the school and program by helping win the district championship with this team and it being my senior year.

“I feel like I am playing like I always knew I could, but I also have to give credit to everyone on the team for making my job easier and believing in me. The team that I have in front of me does whatever they can do to not allow any shots and whenever they do I have to repay them by trying to make the save for everything they do in front of me.”

Nahf couldn’t equate the district crown to a similar title in his past, but he was happy to return the favor against Emmaus and Parkland in the past.

“I can’t relate this feeling to anything before,” added Nahf. “It means so much getting our revenge from sophomore year and being able to extend my senior year by being a district champion.”