Top-seed Emmaus made easy work of its first District 11/2 Class 6A playoff opponent last Friday night at East Penn School District Stadium, beating No. 8 seed Wilkes-Barre Area 42-14 in the quarterfinal round.

The Green Hornets scored on their opening drive and all but put the game away with 28 second-quarter points.

Their superb play resulted in a mercy-rule clock the entire second half. Emmaus dominated both the offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage and utilized solid performances from a bevy of talented skill players, much like all season.

“It was a good win,” Emmaus coach Harold Fairclough said. “We did a real good job defensively of stopping their run. Offensively we just took advantage of what they were giving us.”

Quarterback Jake Fotta got the Emmaus steamroller in motion, throwing the game’s first three touchdown passes to Rafael Terrero, Dylan Darville and Chase Fotta.

Then the Emmaus rushing attack bludgeoned Wilkes-Barre into complete submission.

Running backs Tylik Jarvis and Jasiyah Banks each nailed the Wilkes-Barre defense with consistent good gainers, while Jake Fotta mixed in the pass. Jarvis, Banks and Josiah Williams each scored touchdowns on short runs, eventually giving Emmaus a 42-0 lead in the third quarter.

Jake Fotta was his normal sharp self, hitting 10 of 13 passes for 106 yards and those three touchdowns. For a change the leading receiver was not Darville but Terrero, who caught five balls for 61 yards and the score. Chase Fotta snagged three passes for 67 yards and the touchdown.

The Emmaus defense was outstanding, giving up 14 points long after the outcome was in doubt. The linebacker corps was solid, with senior Tyler Ruddick leading the team with five tackles. Aidan Garrett and Reilly Bechtel provided good support, shedding blocks and flying to the ball in addition to good coverage on passing plays. Ryan DeJohn offered excellent support from his free safety position and registered one interception.

Kicker Owen Garcia had a fine night, going 5-for-5 on extra point attempts and compiling 287 yards in six kickoffs.