The combination of bad weather conditions and a stingy defense on the other end of the field made things difficult for the Emmaus football team last Friday night in Orefield. Parkland used both to take down rival Emmaus 25-14 last Friday night in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division regular season finale for both teams at Parkland School District Stadium.

The Green Hornet offense was shutout for the first 43 minutes of action, hampered in part by losing two fumbles. The special teams unit also struggled as wind and rain forced multiple bad punts, giving the Trojans’ (8-1, 7-1) offense good field position for a majority of their possessions.

Emmaus (7-3 overall, 5-3 EPC South) didn’t pick up a first down until there was 24 seconds left in the second quarter. The Hornets were held to 4-of-17 passing for 11 yards.

“Parkland’s defense has slowed down everybody they played,” said Emmaus head coach Harold Fairclough. “They have a great defense year in and year out. So, the weather didn’t help us, but Parkland’s defense is always good.”

Parkland’s Dahlir Adams scored the game’s opening touchdown after a 1-yard punt from the Green Hornets, as he rushed in from four yards out just 3:27 into the contest.

Nico Medlar scored a defensive touchdown for the Trojans, recovering a mis-kicked punt and returning it to the end zone for a 25-yard, fourth quarter score and 25-0 lead with 10:37 left to play to cap the Trojans scoring.

One Hornet fumble led to Trojans quarterback Ty Tremba connecting with younger brother Trey Tremba on a 22-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-seven with 5:51 remaining in the first quarter to increase the Trojans advantage to 12-0.

Zayd Afif recovered the second fumble, leading to Adams’ second score, pushing the lead to 18-0 late in the first quarter. Between the defense and the rushing attack, the Trojans were able to leave a sloppy grass field on top.

Emmaus senior Sam Moratori rushed for a 54-yard touchdown to trim Parkland’s lead to 25-6 with 5:15 left in the fourth quarter. He was named the offensive MVP of the game for the Green Hornets. Sophomore Jasiyah Banks rushed for a 77-yard score in the final minute of the game for Emmaus. Aidan Garrett earned defensive MVP honors.

Even in the loss, their second straight, the Green Hornets still could have earned a share of the conference title with a win Friday, and that is still something Fairclough can be positive about with his team.

“With all things considered, losing our starting quarterback, COVID protocols, other season-ending injuries, we still had an opportunity to compete for the EPC title,” he said. “I think if you ask any coach at the beginning of the season what their goals are they would tell you that winning an EPC title would be one of them. So, I’m happy we at least had the opportunity to complete for one.”

Emmaus earned the fifth seed as the District 11 Class 6A playoffs begin this weekend. The Green Hornets will play at fourth-seeded Nazareth on Friday night in the quarterfinals. Emmaus won the previous matchup 35-7 back on October 15.

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to earn another week of football,” said Fairclough. “There is nothing like playing meaningful games in November with a chance at winning a championship.”