While the biggest take away from Friday’s loss to East Stroudsburg South to open the 2018 football season points to the performance of Cavalier running back Ryan Clark, Whitehall’s inability to sustain drives also led to its downfall.

The Zephyrs dropped their opener 37-28 to the Cavs, and it marks the first time they’ve lost their opener since 2012. Clark had a pivotal role in that outcome, rushing for 269 yards and scoring three touchdowns en route to the nine-point win.

But Whitehall’s third down efficiency also contributed to its loss. They finished the game 1-9 on third down, and their inability to stay on the field gave Clark the opportunity to carry the ball 37 times.

Head coach Justin Kondikoff said that their failure to convert on third down was mostly self-inflicted. As a result of penalties during that crucial down, they were facing third-and-sevens and third-and-nines, and that contributed to just an 11-percent efficiency rate.

“We were just shooting ourselves in the foot,” said Kondikoff.

Another blow came in last week’s scrimmage against Pleasant Valley when they lost last year’s leading tackler Josh Novak to a season-ending knee injury. Novak was set to anchor their defense, and his absence was felt in the first game of the season. Still, Kondikoff said that it boils down to the next man up as younger players must now gain experience as their playing time increases.

“That inexperience will build experience,” said Kondikoff.

Still, Whitehall had its opportunities, but turnovers also proved costly as they turned it over twice, with Markens Pierre intercepting two Anthony Nanoah passes, the first one coming as Whitehall was inside Cavalier territory with the score knotted at 14-14. Pierre jumped the route and returned the ball to Whitehall’s 20-yard line. His final interception sealed the win with under a minute remaining at their own 35-yard line.

Another play that shaped the outcome was a snap that sailed out of the end zone, leading to a safety. The game was tied 21-21, and the miscue gave the Cavaliers a two-point edge midway through the third quarter. It was a lead they would never relinquish.

The Cavaliers also took advantage of some trickery in their first possession of the game. Cavalier quarterback Brayden Mitchell handed the ball to wideout Ausun Ruffin who rolled to his right and found teammate Christian Sapp for an 80-yard score.

Whitehall answered with a 35-yard TD as Allen Negrete hauled in Nanoah’s pass to tie the game at 7-7. Anthony Johnson gave the Zephs the lead, scooping up a fumble and rumbling 92 yards for the score.

Their offense was moving the ball the whole game, putting up 320 yards of total offense. Nanoah passed for 107 yards, connecting with Negrete for 98 of those yards. Ali Barkley rushed for 95 yards in his first start, scoring on a 10-yard run in the third quarter to trim ESS’s lead to 28-30.

Kondikoff said that Nanoah played a great game. It was his first varsity start and he kept the team in the game, orchestrating three scoring drives in the game.

He also liked how Barkley ran the ball. Barkley’s workload was increased (19 attempts) because of cramping to some of the other backs. He responded by churning out 95 yards against the Cavalier defense.

Kondikoff said that the game offered some good things that he sees only increasing as the season progresses.

“There were a lot of positive things that we can build upon,” said Kondikoff.

One of those was the play of their offensive line. He liked the play of their young group, and sees that as an area that will only grow and get better. They paved the way for 213 yards rushing in the game.

He understand that it’s a young team that’s inexperienced and there will be some growing pains as they develop.

Whitehall entertains Easton this Friday in their home opener.