With the impending remnants of a tropical storm scheduled to hit the Lehigh Valley over the weekend, Northampton junior running back Caden Henritzy has a good feeling on how his team’s game with Parkland will play itself in a rescheduled Thursday night matchup from Friday’s scheduled date.

“The game is going to be won in the trenches,” he stated. “There is bad weather scheduled for the area, so it will be a physical game. We love big games, and we are really looking forward to playing.

“We are having a good week of practice and everyone is healthy.”

Henritzy, who recently was selected the East Penn Conference (EPC) North Offensive Player of the Year, and his teammates will host Parkland in a PIAA District 11 semifinal game. Northampton ended its season last year in the semifinals with a loss to eventual champion Freedom.

The Konkrete Kids (11-0) ended their regular season with an unblemished 10-0 record and a 8-0 mark in the EPC North. Kids’ senior linebacker Carson Czarnecki was named the EPC North Defensive Player of the Year.

Northampton defeated Stroudsburg, 14-7 last week in the opening -round of the district playoffs, while Parkland (7-4) routed Nazareth, 44-14.

“We weren’t surprised about it being a tight game with Stroudsburg,” said Northampton head coach John Toman. “The second time around is always tougher.

“Our defense had another great effort, and they have played well for the past two years.”

Toman figured Parkland would be back in the hunt after they recovered from a rash of injuries.

“They got healthy,” he stated. “Hence Nazareth this past week without their quarterback. They always have been a good team and well coached, but injuries impacted several of their games they probably would have won.

“I’m pretty sure no one will give us a chance, but we feel we can compete with them.”

Northampton senior quarterback Antonino Russo knows it will be a challenge.

“Parkland is a well-rounded, strong (EPC) South opponent, and we know that,” he said. “We will game plan to attack every little weak point on the offensive side of the ball.

“We know our defense will give us the ball back. It will come down to playing good, strict assignment football and everyone doing their job.”

NOTES AND PREDICTION: Henritzy rushed for 61 yards on 14 carries, and AJ Slivka rushed for 57 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns against Stroudsburg. The Kids ran for 169 total yards. Russo completed 16 of 22 attempts for 96 yards with an interception. Kids have five turnovers this season, four interceptions and one lost fumble. K-Kids have scored 494 points and allowed 76 points this season ... Parkland quarterback Luke Spang threw for 165 yards with a passing and rushing touchdown against Nazareth, and Trey Tremba ran for 216 yards on 28 carries with three touchdowns. Spang has thrown for 1,568 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions, and Tremba has rushed for 1,002 yards with 16 touchdowns. The Trojans have won five of their last six games, their lone blemish was a 40-25 loss to Emmaus two weeks ago ... Despite their tight game against Stroudsburg, Kids haven’t been slowed down. Their steady defensive performance often gets overlooked because of their overpowering offense. That defense will need to hit on all cylinders against Parkland. This seems like the Kids’ year, and they are anxious to make a statement. Coach Ronalds will need to take me to Detzi’s after this one ... K-KIDS 28-21.