Run the ball well and beat an East Penn Conference (EPC) South team. It quickly results in a solid night for the Northampton football team.

“Anytime we beat an EPC South team, it is good for Northampton,” said Konkrete Kids’ head coach Kyle Haas about his team’s recent 38-10 victory over Liberty. “We have been running the ball well.

“Defensively, we did a good job. Our offensive line has been playing well.”

With the victory, Northampton (1-2) placed itself back in the running for the District 11 playoffs in the ultracompetitive Class 6A bracket.

Next up is a district playoff rematch and home game with Easton (1-2), which suffered a recent 7-0 loss to Bethlehem Catholic, and the Red Rovers have had trouble scoring points.

The Kids will need to contain running back Nahjee Adams, who scored six touchdowns and ran for 138 yards in the Rovers’ wild 42-37 victory over the Kids in last year’s district playoff. Adams ran for 130 yards against Bethlehem Catholic.

Despite losing several of last year’s standout, Haas knows the district loss can still be a motivator.

It can be used for us psychologically,” he said. “It is an opportunity for us to get back at them. We can do all of things, but at the end of the day, we have to execute.

“Easton relies on its running game, but they really struggle with their passing game. From what I saw against Becahi, they could move the ball from the 20 to 20. It will come down to how well we play on defense. If we don’t give up the big play, we have a legitimate shot to win.”

The Kids amassed 317 yards on the ground, paced by Michael Cruz’s 105 yards, three touchdown performance, and Owen Baker’s 100-yard effort.

Both Cruz and Baker both bided their time.

“We knew both of them were good running backs,” said Haas. “They are different runners than Tyrese Brandon and more like Josh Gaycheck. We expected them to do well. The past two weeks, they both have been around 100 yards a game.

“Our offensive line has done a tremendous job and has helped create our passing game. We want to work on a balance of run and pass.”

Quarterback Joe Kerbacher threw for 98 yards on a steady 11-for-19 performance. He also scored on a 48-yard sprint.

“For the first three weeks, we have told Joe to take what the defense gives him,” said Haas. “He doesn’t always have to throw the deep ball. He has been getting the ball out quicker. He can throw the short pass.”

Kerbacher believes his team is heading down the right path.

“I thought we played very well,” he said. “We couldn’t put two more touchdowns in, but all in all, it was a good win.”

Haas is optimistic his team can realize their potential. It can continue with an impressive showing against Easton Friday night.

“We can be better,” stated Haas. “We have played well the past two weeks. We feel we can compete against Easton. We need to do our homework and have a couple of high intensity days of practice.

I have a lot of confidence in these guys. I hope the kids are hungry. I think we have more confidence and we’re not that far away.”