When your starters need to play only 12 reps, your team likely is in a very good position.

Such is the case for the Northampton football team.

The Konkrete Kids rolled to their fifth straight victory last week in a 50-6 victory over Allen. Over the past five weeks since a 17-16 opening-game loss to Allentown Central Catholic, the Kids have outscored their opponents, 343-6. It marked the first time in five weeks a team had scored on the Kids’ defense.

“We had another dominant effort,” said Kids’ head coach John Toman. “Our defense has been playing extremely well, and we have had the opportunity to get many people into the lineup. We really haven’t missed a beat.”

Against Allen, the Kids rushed for 137 yards led by Owen Stanchock’s 41 yards, Zander Rickert’s 36, and Billy Stuhldreher’s 25.

Quarterback Gavin Taff was eight-for-eight for 166 yards, and Tristan Pinnock had five receptions for 88 yards.

Toman has liked what he has seen from his sophomore quarterback, who took over three games agon from senior A.J. Slivka, who primarily plays now in the secondary.

“Taff has been doing more each week as we build upon his skills,” said Toman. “We also had a good game from Zeke Spencer, who continues to develop. He had a pick-six against Allen.”

Taff has taken the season in stride.

“The season has been going great so far,” said Taff. “It was tough to start off the season with a loss, but we have bounced back from it. We weren’t going to let one game determine the type of team we are.

“The team, coaches and I continue to work hard and push ourselves each week. We always come out with the same energy every Friday night no matter who the opponent is. I’m becoming more confident because of the words of my coaches and the relationships with my teammates.”

Senior running back Caden Henritzy, the team’s leading rusher who broke the school’s all-time rushing mark last week, had a light night with just three carries for 15 yards. Henritzy has watched his team make a steady progression.

“Allen was just another step forward in the season,” said Henritzy. “We got better last week in practice. The starters got taken out in the first half, and the JV went in and did a good job.”

The Kids will host Pleasant Valley Friday night. The Bears are coming off a 28-7 loss to Pocono Mountain West and had a four-game winning streak snapped.

Toman doesn’t expect too many surprises.

“Pleasant Valley is the same as in the past,” noted Toman. “They run the triple option and try to shorten the game. Their quarterback does a nice job.”

“We don’t see the triple-option offense regularly, so we have to prepare in practice this week,” added Henritzy. They have athletes, and we will be ready for them.”

PREDICTION (Overall record 5-1) – Northampton has won the last five meetings (46-7 in 2022, 21-7 in ’21, 63-7 in ’19, 63-0 in ’18, and 24-7 in ’17). Pleasant Valley last won in 2016 by a 55-35 score ... Henritzy has 499 yards with eight touchdowns this season ... Taff has completed 29 of 35 for 405 yards with three touchdowns and one interception ... Pinnock leads the team with 17 receptions for 183 yards with a touchdown ... Pleasant Valley running back Alex Ecker has 850 yards rushing with nine touchdowns. Quarterback Val Byers-Robinson has completed just six of 16 attempts for 76 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions ... Pleasant Valley has been averaging 29.5 points and allowing 16.8 per game ... Kids have scored 86 total points in the first quarter and 88 in the second quarter ... Kids’ starters should get more playing time this week, as this should be a competitive half. However, you’ll still get home in time to watch the baseball playoffs ... Coach Ronalds, I’ll take a cheesesteak with whiz, onions, and ketchup from Detzi’s ... K-KIDS, 42-14.