It may have been too early in the season to say it, but last Friday night's game at Nazareth was seemingly a must-win game for Emmaus. Having lost their last two games, the Hornets were searching for some momentum and a signature win that could propel them forward.

Emmaus (2-2 overall) used its rushing attack to build a lead against the Blue Eagles and then held on to defeat Nazareth 34-27 at Andrew Leh Stadium last Friday night.

"Right now, we're not talking about records or playoffs," said second-year Hornet head coach Randy Cuthbert. "We just need to focus on the week at hand.

"We need to start winning games. Most of all, we need to stop beating ourselves. We're not going to start beating other people until we stop beating ourselves and that's what it feels like we've done the last two weeks."

It was a big win, not only for their playoff hopes, but because the Hornets were able to hold off a feisty Blue Eagles team on their homecoming night.

A big part of the success was the running game. Missing all-purpose athlete Wyl Miller due to what Cuthbert characterized as a "school issue," tailbacks Andrew Davidson and Kyle Boney more than made up for Miller's absence.

The two running backs combined for 310 of Emmaus' 354 rushing yards and all five touchdowns. The duo just could not be stopped.

"We played an overall good game," said Davidson, who ran 15 times for 124 yards and three scores. "Give credit to Nazareth because they played well. We moved the ball well all night, and defensively we made some plays to keep us in the lead. Luckily we came away with the win."

Boney led the team with 17 carries for 191 yards and two touchdowns.

But it did not come all that easy for the Green Hornets. Holding a 27-6 lead late in the second quarter, Nazareth (0-4 overall) scored three straight times to tie the game at 27-27 going into the fourth quarter.

The Blue Eagles had a shot at taking the lead to begin the fourth quarter, but the Hornet defense held firm. On a Nazareth punt attempt, the ball was snapped over the head of the Blue Eagle punter, giving Emmaus the ball inside Nazareth's 20-yard line.

On the ensuing possession, Davidson carried the ball four out of five plays, and scored from four yards out to retake the lead.

"Our offensive line played a heck of a game," said Davidson. "They opened up some holes for us. Kyle and I just had great heads of steam and found some yardage each play."

Emmaus kept the Nazareth offense at bay for the following two possessions and held on for an all-important win in the East Penn Conference and District 11.

"It was great to break the two-game losing streak," said Davidson. "Everyone was down after we lost to Freedom [last weekend], and we worked for this one."