As the Northampton football team rampages through the last season of the EPC North, it no longer seems to be a question of whether they will go undefeated in division play, but rather if they will be able to hold all of those opponents scoreless.

Last week’s game against Dieruff was the K-Kids’ third shutout in three tries against the North as they walloped the Huskies 70-0.

Northampton scored 35 points in the first 8 and a half minutes of the game. Dieruff’s first five possessions resulted in 2 fumbles, 3 three-and-outs, and a blocked punt returned by Brett Rickert for a defensive touchdown.

About the only drama in the game was on the first possession of the second half. After the Huskies opened by recovering an onside kick, they drove down to the K-Kids’ 5-yard line thanks to a pair of pass interference penalties, one of which erased an AJ Slivka pick. From there, the Northampton defense came up big, forcing a turnover on downs at the 1-yard line to preserve the shutout.

Sophomore Gavin Taff got his first start at quarterback and went 8 of 11 for 130 yards. Head coach John Toman explained giving Taff the opportunity, “He has the ability to throw the ball deep and gives us a little more diversity in the offense. AJ’s a great runner and we still plan on using him to mix it up, but tonight was a chance to let Gavin go and see what he could do. The kid has that moxie as a quarterback that you like to see.”

Taff spoke about his ascension to the starting role, “I’ve been working hard in practice, praying to God, believing in myself and having confidence in myself. I just want to keep working hard and put it out on the field and show what I’ve got.”

He continued, “I think I can run the offense really well. I feel like I can increase the passing game too.”

Caden Henritzy had his best output of the season, racking up 117 yards on the ground and 3 TDs. He goes into this week’s game against East Stroudsburg South 59 yards short of Tyrese Brandon’s career rushing record at Northampton.

Billy Stuhldreher had 6 carries for 65 yards and scored 4 touchdowns. Owen Stanchock racked up 59 yards on his 6 carries.

Devlin Chevere was the Kids’ leading receiver, catching 3 passes for 61 yards. Henritzy had 42 yards on a screen pass.

Josh Garcia had a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown and Trent Reeves scored Northampton’s tenth and final touchdown on a 1-yard plunge.

On the medical front, Tristan Pinnock’s shoulder injury was not as serious as originally feared and he is expected to be back this season. The team will certainly not risk his health by rushing him back.