Like they have most of the season, the Dogmanits brothers connected on anther big play in their recent game against Dieruff.

This time around, though, their moves worked in the Zephyrs’ favor in their 31-20 victory over Dieruff last week.

In the closing seconds of the first half, sophomore quarterback Tanner Dogmanits connected with Elik Warnken on a touchdown pass, and junior wide receiver Talon Dogmanits broke free on a 68-yard touchdown scamper on the opening play of the third quarter.

With the win, Whitehall (2-4) will travel to Emmaus Friday night.

“It was a great team win,” said Tanner. “We had a slow start and weren’t focused, but we ended the (first) half with a really good drive. I think the play that really flipped it for us was the first play of the second half when my brother, talon, took it all the way for a touchdown. After that, we had momentum, and it really set the tone fore the rest of the game.”

As for Emmaus, which routed Allentown Central Catholic last week, 38-6, Dogmanits is confident his team can keep it going.

“I believe if we have a really good week of practice, we are capable of winning the game.”

His brother Talon, also saw the tide turn in the Zephyrs’ favor.

“We started off flat and gave up some big plays,” he recalled. “But once we settled in, it seems like everything went our way. Turnovers helped us in a huge way throughout the game, either keeping drives alive or giving us the ball back.

“Our defense didn’t give up any points in the second half, and it felt like we had a lot more energy once our coaches got on us at halftime.”

Wide receiver Brandon Bird knows his team has a tough task ahead with Emmaus.

“We started off slow and then picked things up against Dieruff,” said Bird. “We need to play four good quarters this week, and we will have our best chance.”

PREDICTION (Season record 2-4): Dieruff’s last win against Whitehall came in 2004 ... Tanner Dogmanits completed 14 of 19 attempts for 189 yards with two touchdowns. Talon caught four passes for 60 yards with a touchdown. Bird had 51 yards rushing and an interception. Iskander Blanco rushed for a team-high 76 records and also had a team-high six tackles. Adam Youwakim had five stops ... Emmaus quarterback Jerek Cooper completed eight of 10 passes for 52 yards with two touchdowns, and he ran for 67 yards with a touchdown in the Green Hornets’ win over Allentown Central Catholic. Reilly Bechtel added 67 yards rushing for Emmaus ... In their last five meetings with Emmaus, Whitehall’s last win was last year in a 21-16 victory ... Zephyrs will have a their work cut out for them against Emmaus. The key will continue to be Tanner Dogmanits’s play, and the play of the Zephyrs’ defense, which shut out Dieruff in the second half. Zephyrs can can’t afford a slow start here, and this could be a close game down to the wire. Kicker Cole Richards can also play a major role ... Got a feeling Zephyrs may have found the inner confidence they needed, and they may be starting to round into postseason shape ahead in the district Class 5A bracket ... Zephyrs’ golf coach George Cowitch can pick me up a cheesesteak at SMP Mini-Mart … ZEPHYRS 27-24.