For Northampton, this will be another game to defend their credibility.

The Konkrete Kids arguably have been the most dominant team in the Lehigh Valley, rolling to a 9-0 record and accumulating 438 points and allowing just 62, their latest triumph a 48-16 victory over Dieruff last week.

Yet, their critics will still point to an alleged soft schedule by playing their games in the East Penn Conference (EPC) North Division, as they captured their third consecutive division title.

Friday night, the Kids (9-0) will host local rival Whitehall (5-4) in their annual Cement Belt rivalry, as they will play an EPC South team for the second time since the Kids lost a district playoff game to Freedom last year. They did defeat Whitehall, 7-0, last season and Becahi this season.

There will be plenty of sparks expected on field in the heated rivalry. Head coach John Toman knows his team will need to prove themselves again.

Several Northampton players - none who were in the game – celebrated on the Whitehall team logo after their victory last year.

“Whitehall is a rivalry game, and both teams know they will get the other team’s best effort,” stated Toman. “For us, it’s an opportunity for us to prove again that we can play with a South team.

“Both communities will be excited for the game as both teams get ready for the playoffs.”

The Kids will focus their attention on running back Nigel Linton and quarterback Trey Dogmanits, both of whom have been the Zephyrs offensive leaders. Linton rushed for 137 yards with a touchdown, and Dogmanits threw for 54 yards in a 35-7 loss to Nazareth last week.

“Linton is a dynamic runner, and if he is given a seam, he can take it the distance. We will need to bottle him up. Whitehall can also throw the ball effectively, so we need to be sound with our coverages.”

Running back Caden Henritzy, the Kids’ leading rusher, is anticipating an electric atmosphere.

“Our entire team is locked and excited to play Whitehall in front of a big crowd,” said Henritzy. “After clinching the EPC North, we know our work is not done. We are confident in our ability to play for each other to get a win. We are going to stay disciplined and execute like we have been all season.

“This always is an intense game because of our rivalry.”.

Dogmanits and his teammates are anxious for the matchup. The Zephyrs certainly will be looking for revenge.

“The game this week is one that we have been looking forward to all year,” he stressed. “We can’t ask for a better situation with them being undefeated at the moment, and the game being at their field.

“I know that our guys are going to be ready, and we are going to come out with a lot of fire because of the disrespect they showed to our field last year.”

NOTES AND PREDICTION: Against Dieruff, Kids’ running back Caden Henritzy ran for 152 yards on 23 carries with a touchdown. The Kids ran for 281 yards and had 26 first downs. Quarterback Antonino Russo completed 11 of 17 for 119 yards with three touchdowns. Wide receiver Jaelen Richardson had five receptions for 69 yards with a pair of scores ... Defensively, Tristan Pinnock had 3.5 tackles, and Richardson, AJ Slivka, and Carson Czarnecki each had three tackles ... Kids have won 18 straight regular-season games, having their last loss against Whitehall, 36-35, in 2020 ... Northampton is seeded third in the District 11 Class 6A bracket behind Emmaus and Nazareth ... Kids will be determined to make their point against Whitehall in a big way. They haven’t shown any sign of slowing down. Whitehall has been a surprise, and they are a dangerous team. Kids can’t afford any mistakes, and they have been able to impose their will on all nine opponents so far. Whitehall will be number 10 to fall under their domination. Coach Ronalds, freeze a tomato pie for us. They can’t make any pizza well down South ... K-KIDS, 30-17.