Whitehall running back Dalton Wickel simply was glad to be back.

He rushed for a team-high 60 yards and scored a touchdown in helping Whitehall to a 23-20 victory over Liberty last week, snapping a three-game losing streak in the process. The victory gave the Zephyrs an overall 5-4 mark and moved them into second place in the District 11 Class 5A bracket. It also clinched them a berth in the 5A bracket according to the power ranking system.

Wickel had been sidelined since last September with an upper-body injury and was grateful for the opportunity to be back in play. He credited teammates Andrew Deutsch, who kicked the winning field goals, and also Jack Kocher, who caught two touchdowns passes.

“It was a great win over Liberty,” beamed Wickel. “ We can always count on Deutsch, and Jack had a great game catching two touchdowns. It felt great to be back playing with my boys. It was really hard to stand on the sidelines and not be able to help my team. I’m really grateful to the trainers who got me back playing as soon as possible.”

Wickel’s return proved to be perfect timing for the Zephyrs, who have a key showdown with rival Northampton (8-1) on the road Friday. Whitehall is faced with a near must-win situation, as they could slip out of the playoff picture with Pocono Mountain West and Pleasant Valley on their heels with identical records.

The annual “Cement Bowl” classic should be a true skirmish.

“Northampton always has been a big rival for Whitehall,” added Wickel. “I know a couple of guys on the team. We are all very excited and prepared for the game and ready to get the trophy back.”

Quarterback Trey Dogmanits, who threw for 146 yards with two touchdowns, also realized the team’s sense of urgency. He began the school’s all-tine passing yards leader with 4,189, passing Mike Gnall’s mark of 4,009 set from 2002-05.

“The win over Liberty was huge,” he beamed. “It was a must-win game we needed for the playoffs. I think the Northampton game is very important because we have not been able to beat them in the past two years.

“However, we need to step it up and get back to playing like we were in the middle of the season. I think we should be in a good spot.”

Northampton head coach John Toman also sees the intensity of the battle.

“The Whitehall game is a big or a bigger rivalry game than Catty,” said Toman. “Whitehall is a physical, disciplined team. They have good schemes on both sides of the ball, and it will be a good test for us.

“This will be a great test for us.”

Whitehall head coach Andy Marino surely knows what is at stake.

“Northampton is a great team,” he stressed. “We need a great week of prep and need to play at a high level. We have been resilient all year, and we have to continue to be.”

PREDICTION (Overall record 5-4): Northampton has won the last two meetings, 42-7 last season and 7-0 in 2021. Whitehall edged them in a wild, overtime contest, 36-35, in 2020 ... However, Whitehall has had the distinct advantage over the past 10 meetings, as the Zephyrs have won seven of 10 meetings ... The Zephyrs won six straight from 2013-2018 until Northampton won a 43-37 tussle in 2019 ... Northampton leads the overall series 43-41-6 dating back to 1929 ... Northampton has as much to prove here as Whitehall ... Northampton running back Caden Henritzy rushed for 117 yards last week and scored twice. Quarterback Gavin Taff completed 12 of 13 passes for 118 yards with a pair of touchdowns ... Konkrete Kids had the chance to clear their bench, as they recorded their fifth shutout of the season in a 31-0 whitewash of East Stroudsburg North last week. Kids have scored 410 points and allowed just 38 this season ... This could go down to the wire like a couple of contests did a few years ago ... Zephyrs have advantage at quarterback with Dogmanits, and this is the biggest start for sophomore Taff. Look for Northampton to control the game on the ground behind Henritzy ... Their defense will need to step it up and pressure Dogmanits and blanket Kocher ... Leaning both ways here, but home field will be the difference ... I can smell and taste one of those cheesesteaks from SMP Mini-Mart. Someone is the athletic department has to pick it up for me ... NORTHAMPTON, 20-17.