Northampton head football coach John Toman clearly understands the significance of his team’s matchup with Stroudsburg Thursday night in a prime-time game toward winning the East Penn Conference (EPC) North title.

“The winner will be in the driver’s seat in the (EPC) North,” stressed Toman. “They have played us tough ever since I have been at Northampton.”

The Konkrete Kids are coming off a 51-0 manhandling of Pocono Mountain East in which they amassed 270 yards rushing and 100 passing. They held Pocono Mountain East to 119 yards of total offense.

Running back Caden Henritzy rushed for 96 with a touchdown, and quarterback A.J. Slivka had 51 yards and found the end zone four times.

Henritzy realized the importance of rebound from their 17-16 season-opening, overtime loss to Allentown Central Catholic the previous week.

“The game was a great way to get us rolling,” said Henritzy. “We needed that one to bounce back. It’s always great after you win 51-0, and it is expected against a team like that. I’m proud of how we regrouped as a team during practice after the tough loss. It shows a lot of who we are as a team.”

Henritzy knows there is a taller task ahead against Stroudsburg, especially playing a day earlier than usual.

“We have a short week, and we are excited to play at home,” he added. “Stroudsburg always plays us tough, and we will be ready.”

Slivka echoed his teammate’s sentiments.

“I felt our win was a step in the right direction, and I’m very happy with how we played,” said Slivka. “We came together and handled business as we thought we should.

“We have a big week Stroudsburg, and we can’t take anything lightly as we did against Pocono Mountain East. We may have struggles in the past with them (Stroudsburg), but I know our coaches and players will be prepared. We couldn’t ask for a better home opener, and we should put on a show for the community, and I expect big things from our team this week.”

Toman also anticipates a tussle Thursday night.

“They played Freedom tough in Week 1, and handled Pocono Mountain West in Week 2,” said Toman. “We expect nothing less than a hard battle. We need to build off our momentum and positives from Pocono Mountain East.

“It’s a short week playing on Thursday, but exciting to be prime time and the only game that night.”

PREDICTION (Overall record 1-1): Stroudsburg lost its opener this year to Freedom, 14-0, and then posted a 37-14 victory over Pocono Mountain West ... The game will be televised live on Service Electric TV ... Last season, the Kids edged Stroudsburg, 14-7. Slivka scored the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter and rushed for 57 yards. Henritzy had a team-high 61 ... Northampton has won the previous two meetings in 2021 and 2019. Stroudsburg shocked the Kids at home, 26-18, in 2018 ... Brett Rickert had 14 tackles, Colby Reph had 11, and Gavin Grell had 10 against Pocono Mountain East. Rickert has 21, Reph has 20, and Bill Stuhldreher has 17. Grell has 16 ... This was a tight game until the end of it last season. The Mounties lost a number of starters from last year ... Kids will be anxious for a big night, and they should have one. Freedom rushed for 182 yards against Stroudsburg, and the Kids also should have the same success ... Should be an early night for Toman and his troops ... Coach Toman and Ronalds, a pizza from Mario’s – especially a Sicilian pie –would be great ... K-KIDS, 38-7.