For the past three seasons, Northampton has relied on its physical play and speed as major factors to register many of their 33 victories.

However, the Konkrete Kids have lost only five times in the last three years, and it has been rare that physicality and speed worked against them.

Last Friday in Easton, there was an exception, as the Kids dropped a 42-14 to the Red Rovers at Cottingham Stadium.

The Kids’ running game was limited to 24 yards and they had 176 yards, and Easton amassed 276 yards rushing and 124 yards passing.

Kids’ head coach John Toman was impressed by Easton’s performance.

“Their line and linebackers’ speed and aggressiveness was the best we saw all year, and it gave us fits,” stressed Toman. “(Quarterback Gavin) Taff was definitely was under pressure all night, and it forced him to get rid of the ball quicker.

“We made adjustments at halftime, but it was too little, too late. They moved their defense front around a lot, and our line did not adjust well.”

The Kids (4-3) have another major challenge ahead when they host undefeated Freedom (7-0) at Al Erdosy Stadium Friday night. Freedom is coming off a 24-3 victory over Bethlehem Catholic last week.

Toman knows what is looming for his club with a team that is larger than his team in sheer size.

“Freedom is obviously 7-0 and going to be a challenge for us to match their sheer size,” said Toman. “But a great challenge is a great opportunity.”

PREDICTION (Season record 4-3) Northampton has lost 13 straight to Easton. The Kids last win against the Red Rovers was 17-0 in 2008 … Easton’s Dorian Thomas ran for 119 Yards on 28 carries with two touchdowns, and William Day added 114 yards on 14 carries with three touchdowns ... Kids’ leading rusher Billy Stuhldreher was held to 44 yards, and the other Kids’ ball carriers were held to minus-20 yards. Taff completed 10 of 21 passes for 176 yards with two touchdowns. Cameron Hersch caught three passes for 30 yards ... For the season, Stuhldreher has rushed for 638 yards with seven touchdowns, and Taff has completed 62 of 112 attempts for 808 yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions. Tymir Williams has caught 22 passes for 370 yards with three touchdowns ...

Last meeting between the two clubs was in 2021 in a district playoff game won by Freedom, 21-9. The Patriots have won the last 10 meetings. Northampton’s last victory was 21-14 in 2010. Freedom running back Aaron Beete ran for 174 yards with two touchdowns against Bethlehem Catholic, and he has 914 yards with 10 touchdowns on the season. Patriots’ quarterback Chase Walker has completed 81 of 139 passes for 1,406 yards with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions … This is another one of those old “EPC South” matchups for the Kids, one in which they again be questioned whether they can stand with the old group. Like, Easton, Freedom possesses a strong game and does have size. Kids will need to get their running game going and play ball control. The key will be to keep the ball out of Freedom’s hands or slow the Patriots down.