With a young team in transition, Whitehall’s football team experienced their share of growing pains during the first three weeks of the season.

With a series of turnovers and self-inflicted wounds, the Zephyrs suffered through a 0-3 start in which they were outscored 99-23. It primarily was a new cast adjusting to the script.

Fortunately for the, Whitehall recently turned the tide and took advantage of turnovers and situations in a convincing 41-6 victory over Pocono Mountain West last week.

Whitehall (1-3) jumped out to a 24-0 lead at halftime and never looked back.

Zephyrs’ quarterback Tanner Dogmanits scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and Justus Miles returned a fumbled punt return nine yards for a score that gave Whitehall the fist-half cushion it needed.

The Zephyrs will host rival Northampton (2-2) in their annual Cement Bowl showdown, a game that normally occurs later in the season.

Safety Brandon Bird saw the victory as an igniter for the rest of the season.

“The win was big because we needed to get things going,” he said. “Northampton is a rivalry week, so we have a little more going into this week than normal.”

Running back Carter Troxell, who has been sidelined with an injury, watched his teammates answer the call.

“It was a great team win with a bunch of guys stepping up,” he stressed. “This will definitely help get the ball rolling. We’re all very excited to play Northampton, especially with the history behind it.”

Wide receiver Talon Dogmanits, who caught four balls for 75 yards with a touchdown against Pocono Mountain West is confident their first win can jump start the season, especially with Northampton just ahead.

“It was a huge win and even bigger than we won by a lot,” gushed Dogmanits. “It really boosted our confidence getting that big of a win under our belt. I feel like we can go on a winning streak now.

“Northampton definitely gets up pumped up, and it is the most excited game of the year. You get the Cement Bowl trophy if you win, so that is pretty cool. They are a good team, and it is very fun to play in a competitive game.”

PREDICTION (Season record 1-3): Tanner Dogmanits completed 10 of 15 passes for 100 yards with a touchdown against PMW. He also is anxious for the Northampton game stating, “I am getting more comfortable week by week.” Noah Jones led the Zephyrs in rushing with 51 yards on nine carries, Kevin Herrara added 50 yards on seven carries. Bird had 49 yards on four carries, one a 28-yard run ... Whitehall has won two of their last five meetings, winning 45-44 last season ... Konkrete Kids have dropped the last two games, dropping a 16-7 decision to Liberty last week ... Kids’ quarterback Gavin Taff completed eight of 10 passes for 57 yards with a touchdown, and Billy Stuhldreher ran for 122 yards on 22 carries last week ... Rivalry goes back to the early 1950s, and the Kids have dominated the series ... Both teams desperately need a win here, and the Kids are feeling more pressure with consecutive losses to former East Penn Conference South teams, keeping the myth of them not being able to beat an EPC South team alive ... Whitehall will be looking to get its feet more firmly planted on the ground after a confidence booster. This will come down to what team has the least turnovers ... Kids believe they still have plenty to play for, while Zephyrs are still in a transition mode ... Like both teams here, but leaning toward the Kids in another tight one ... Whitehall head boys’ basketball coach Jeff Jones can get me a Wawa pizza ... K-KIDS, 28-24.