The Whitehall Zephyrs closed out their football season with a 35-0 mercy rule shutout of Allentown Central Catholic on Oct. 25 at Whitehall.

“It’s really sad, closing it all, but it’s a great way to finish it. We’ve got playoffs coming up, so great way to end the season,” said Elik Warnken (80 yards receiving). “They have some great individual players, struggle as a team sometimes, but I knew if our team played together for each other, we would win the game.”

Whitehall tight end Iskander Blanco scored the Zephyrs’ first two touchdowns.

A bad punt by Central put Whitehall at the Viking 42-yard line. Zephyr quarterback Tanner Dogmanits (156 yards passing, 70 yards rushing) kept the ball for three first downs, and Blanco ran 3 yards to make the score 6-0 before Cole Richards kicked the extra point.

“The first one, I got to run through big 55 (Braheem Battles), so that was probably the more enjoyable one,” Blanco said. “It was just play hard all four quarters, keep running the ball. It all starts with our O-line and D-line. If they win, we win. Really, we played for each other and trusted the man next to us.”

With time running out in the half, Dogmanits completed a 32-yard pass to Justin Hussett before finding wide receiver Talon Dogmanits for the Zephyrs’ third touchdown.

Central delivered an onside kick to open the third quarter, but Justus Miles (4 tackles, 1 sack) made the recovery.

Brandon Bird rushed for consecutive first downs, taking the Zephyrs to Central’s 30-yard line, and Warnken hooked in a pass from Dogmanits for a four-score lead.

“It was a great play call by our coach, lined up, had a great open corner route,” said Warnken. “I saw the pass was a little behind me, so I went up on one foot, snagged it in, and ran it in for the touchdown. It felt great. I knew he was right in front of me so I took another step back and went right up for it.”

Mercy rule kicked in with 4:35 remaining in the third quarter after Tanner Dogmanits ran 15 yards to the end zone.

Senior linebacker Carter Troxell (6 tackles) returned from injury in time for postseason play, which begins on Oct. 31 against Pocono Mountain East.

“I’m definitely playing in playoffs. That’s the most important time of the year for us. I did all my rehab as best as I could and as soon as my doctor said I could play, I played,” Troxell said. “I’m looking forward to a win to hopefully bring us back to our third district championship and really hoping for another blowout. I think our defense is one of the best parts of our team and our kickoff unit was doing amazing tonight.”