Whitehall running back Carter Troxell soon realized after his team’s 27-10 defeat at Wilkes-Barre Area in the season-opener that his squad could be in a dire situation.

“I think our first game didn’t go the way we expected,” said the senior. “It was a wake-up call to some of us, and how much is really needed out of us in order to win.”

The defending District Class 5A champions couldn’t get on track all night, and their lone touchdown came in the game’s final seven minutes when backup quarterback Asiash Gross hit Talon Dogmanits with a nine–yard touchdown pass. Gross rotated with Tanner Dogmanits throughout the game.

Cole Richards booted a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter that closed the gap to 13-3 at halftime.

Unfortunately, the Zephyrs couldn’t close the gap.

“I think we just came out flat,” offered Talon Dogmanits. “We had to make push, but it was too late. We had a lot of people who were cramping.”

Head coach Andy Marino expects to club to more focused when they host defending District Class 6A champion Nazareth in their home opener Friday.

“Wilkes-Barre was more prepared than we were,” noted Marino. “We need to have a better week of preparation and continue to improve on a daily basis.”

PREDICTION (Season-record 0-1): Nazareth handled Hazelton, 42-7, on the road in their opener. Blue Eagles’ quarterback Peyton Falzone accounted for four touchdowns, running for 52 and nine yards and throwing for 20 and four yards ... Troxell, who is the team’s leading returning rusher, ran for a team-high 24 yards as well as Tanner Dogmanits, who also hit the 24-yard mark ... Tanner Dogmanits completed 10 of 20 passes for 78 yards with two interceptions, and Gross was 4 for 9 for 70 yards ... Talon Dogmanits caught seven passes for 122 yards with a touchdown ... Brandon Bird had nine tackles, and Troxell added four ... The Zephyrs have lost five straight to Nazareth, dropping a 41-17 decision to last season. Their last victory was 51-49 in 2017 ... Zephyrs will come out more prepared, but this is a tall order. Zephyrs’ defense will need to tighten their reins, as they allowed 293 passing yards and 449 overall to Wilkes-Barre Area ... On the other side, the Zephyrs had 148 yards of total offense. Zephyrs also need to win the turnover battle. Troxell will need to show why he is the team’s lead back, improving last week’s total and hoping to raise their team total of 60 against Wilkes-Barre Area ... Falzone is the real deal, and unless he makes a mistake, he will be the difference, even though he is on the road for the second straight week ... Zephyrs can keep it close, but ... NAZARETH, 31-21.