The last couple of weeks, the Parkland High School football team has had its offense, and in particular, its offensive stars shine and take over games to help the team win its first four games of the 2023 regular season.

Last Friday night at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, it was the other side of the ball for the Trojans (5-0 overall, 4-0 EPC South Division) that helped lead them to another win and an undefeated midway point of the season. The defense gave up just 155 total yards on their way to a 35-14 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division win over Central Catholic.

“They couldn’t really do much on us,” senior defensive end Robbie Ruisch said. “After that first touchdown, we locked in. We stopped them, and we were good from there.”

Parkland is one of just two unbeaten teams in the conference, joining Bethlehem Catholic as the other.

Ahead 14-7 in the third quarter, the game turned following the Trojans forcing a Vikings (4-1, 3-1) punt on the opening possession of the third quarter. Parkland then turned a nine-play, 72-yard drive into a touchdown, thanks to a 22-yard run by Trey Tremba that gave the Trojans a 20-7 advantage.

Parkland forced back-to-back turnovers on the next two possessions as well, an interception by Parker Kusko and then a safety. In the fourth, Parkland put the game out of reach as quarterback Luke Spang scampered for a 43-yard touchdown to push the advantage to 29-7 with 8:10 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“We knew it was going to be tough. They’re huge up front,” said Ruisch. “We just beat them with speed. That’s what our defensive ends are taught. We’re on the smaller side, so just beat them with speed.”

Trembaran for 186 yards and two touchdowns on 26 rushes. He also caught a 65-yard touchdown from Spang. Spang completed 14 of 23 passes with 280 yards and two touchdowns.

In the opening quarter, it was Central Catholic that got on the scoreboard first as quarterback Antonio Fontanez connected with DJ Kelly after their defense forced a turnover on the other end. Spang and Tremba then teamed up for the 65-yard touchdown as the score was even at 7-7 after one.

Connor Johns took a 12-yard pass from Spang to give his team its first lead of the game at 14-7 in the second quarter, a score that would hold up to halftime. Then the defense took over from there.

Parkland will now host rival Whitehall (4-1, 3-1) this Friday night at Parkland School District Stadium.