For a growing Zephyrs’ squad, their 34-6 loss to Nazareth last week was another part of their process. The defeat left them with a 0-2 mark to begin the season.

“I saw the Nazareth game as a learning experience for us,” said Troxell, who is a senior running back. “It showed us how we much harder we have to work to win.”

The Zephyrs will try to get into the win column when they travel to East Stroudsburg South Friday. The Cavaliers (1-1) are coming off a 24-21 loss to Northampton.

“This game is as important as any,” added Troxell. “With being 0-2, I still feel like the guys are really buying into the program and what the coaches are trying to teach us.”

Whitehall head coach Andy Marino knows it may be a slow track.

“Nazareth played a complete game,” said Marino. “We have to have a better plan in the low red zone to finish drives. We need to have an excellent week of practice as we prepare for East Stroudsburg South.”

The Zephyrs have been playing both sophomores Tanner Dogmanits and Asaiah Gross at quarterback this season. Dogmanits has taken the majority of the snaps, but Marino isn’t ready to offer either yet the full-time job.

“We are in the process of developing all of our players here,” said Marino. “There was a lot of progress made against Nazareth. We need to improve our habits and continue our development.”

PREDICTION (Season record 0-2): The two teams last met in 2021, and East Stroudsburg South posted a 47-41 victory in a district playoff game ... Troxell ran for a team-high 25 yards against Nazareth. Dogmanits took the majority of the snaps, and he completed 10 of 18 attempts for 169 yards with two interceptions. Gross went two-for-two for 25 yards. Talon Dogmanits caught seven balls for 118 yards. Henry Schultz had six tackles, and Justus Miles had five stops and a sack ... East Stroudsburg South lost a 21-13 lead in the fourth quarter and dropped a 24-21 decision to Northampton. The Cavaliers’ Charles Capers ran for 205 yards and scored three touchdowns last week, and quarterback Ian Laubach completed eight of 15 passes for 79 yards ... Zephyrs have had two tough battles to begin the season, and they are now encountering their third straight ... Whitehall’s offense still needs to find itself, and East Stroudsburg South’s offense appears to be in full gear. Whitehall will hang, but it will be a long bus ride home. Whitehall head boys’ basketball coach Jeff Jones can pick me up an Italian hoagie with extra vinegar from Wawa ... EAST STROUDSBURG SOUTH 28-17.