The Parkland High School football team hasn’t been involved in many close, one-score games this season. But last Friday night, for just the second time in their nine regular season games thus far, the Trojans were involved in a one-score game in the fourth quarter and had to play until the final whistle to determine the outcome.

A 17-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Luke Spang with just under seven minutes to play turned a seven-point lead into a 14-point advantage and Parkland was able to defeat Easton 34-20 last Friday night at Cottingham Stadium in an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Divisional game.

The Trojans remain undefeated at 9-0 overall, but for the first time in a few weeks, the coaching staff may have some areas that the team can work on.

“Overall, we made some mistakes and allowed turnovers to Easton to give them momentum,” said assistant coach Mike Facchiano. “The Red Rovers showed throughout the night how much they have grown and improved as a young team. In the end, we were able to right the ship in the second half and leave Cottingham with the win.”

With the victory, Parkland secured the conference regular season title and will have the top overall seed in the District 11 6A tournament. That is just one small goal out of much larger ones, however, that the program is working towards achieving.

“It is a byproduct of the work these student-athletes have been doing since the offseason,” Facchiano said. “They have bought into taking everything week-to-week and staying in the moment. Once the regular season ends, however, the second season begins as [head coach Tim] Moncman calls it with the District 11 Playoffs.”

Spang opened the game’s scoring with a six-yard rush, but the point-after-attempt failed, so his team went on top 6-0 early in the first quarter. The Red Rovers (3-6) answered and took the lead with a 10-yard pass from Cole Ordway to Jasir Frutchey and they converted the PAT to go up 7-6.

Trey Tremba gave Parkland the lead right back with an 11-yard rush, followed by a two-point conversion with a pass from Spang to Connor Johns and a 14-7 advantage after one.

After a scoreless second quarter, Johns and Spang connected on a 46-yard touchdown pass and a 21-7 lead. Easton then had two long scoring runs on back-to-back possessions, a 73-yard run by Dorian Thomas and a 46-yarder by Frutchey as the Red Rovers found themselves down by one after a missed PAT.

Tremba then connected on a 66-yard run to put his team ahead 27-20 after three.

The Trojans defense caused three turnovers, including two interceptions by Ordway. They have been a solid unit all season.

“Starting with the defensive line, the senior leadership with Jake Beidleman, Russell Clark and Robbie Ruisch keeps the energy up in practice and games,” said Facchiano. “You have also gotten to see names like TJ Lawrence start as a freshman at MLB and a defensive backfield led by Nolan Coen continue to answer the call each week.”

Parkland hosts rival Emmaus on senior night this Friday night in the regular season finale at Parkland Area School District Stadium, looking to complete an undefeated season.