Despite a number and size advantage over their opponent, Northampton head football coach John Toman isn’t taking Catasauqua lightly in the 101st meeting this Thanksgiving Day at the Konkrete Kids’ Al Erdosy field in a 10 a.m., kickoff.

The Kids have roughly 75 players on their roster, while the Rough Riders have approximately 35.

“Offensively they like to chuck the ball around and force you to defend the field,” said Toman. “We need to be sound in coverage and force them to drive the field and give up no big plays. Defensively, coach (head coach Joe) Heinrich, I am sure, will throw something at us we aren’t expecting.”

Northampton finished the regular season with an overall 5-6 season, their first losing campaign since a shortened COVID 2020 campaign that left them with a 1-4 mark, Over the previous three seasons, the Kids went 34-5.

The Kids truly endured a seesaw season this past fall. It was their opening season in the newly-formed Northampton County Division of the East Penn Conference (EPC) that featured many of their previous opponents in the old EPC South.

They won their first two games over Pennsbury (24-2) and East Stroudsburg South (24-21). But they then stumbled against Parkland (23-14) and Liberty (16-7).

From there, the Kids bounced back with victories against Whitehall (41-10) and Pocono Mountain West (42-6).

The Kids then faced the heart of their scheduled against league powerhouses Easton (42-14), Freedom (42-21) and Nazareth (47-21), but they fell in all three games.

They rebounded with a 21-20 victory over Bethlehem Catholic to even their regular-season record at 5-5.

In the opening round of the District 11 Class 6A playoffs, Freedom dumped Northampton, 38-15.

On Thanksgiving, the Kids have won the last nine meetings in the annual battle, and Catasauqua’s last win was a 43-28 victory in 2013. The Kids posted a convincing, 47-7 victory last season.

Toman noted that backup quarterback/running back senior Aiden Hess was Catty’s starting quarterback last season. Hess transferred to Northampton at the end of the last school year. He also realizes that there are ties beyond the field for both teams.

“Catty has motivation, since their quarterback from last year is on our roster,” noted Toman. “These players are friends off the field and I am sure they will use it to motivate themselves.”

Toman wants his club to stay forced at the start and simply to take care of their business.

“We have to handle the initial emotions and settle in to what we do,” he stressed. “We need to make appropriate adjustments to any of their wrinkles, take care of the football, and win the turnover battle.”

PREDICTION: Northampton has an overall 63-33-4 advantage in the series. Quarterback Gavin Taff has completed 110 of 199 attempts for 1,246 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. Running back Billy Struhldreher has rushed for 1,001 yards with nine touchdowns, and wide receiver Tymir Williams has a team-high 35 receptions for 528 yards with five touchdowns. Cameron Hersch has caught 28 balls for 274 yards. Struhldreher also has caught 21 passes for 133 yards ... For the first time in 10 years, this has the makings of a close game. Northampton can set the tone early with their running game and efficient passing game. The Kids need to jump out early and gain control. Look for it to be a first-half battle, but the Kids will take over in the second half ... During the winter, I hope catch up with assistant head coach Kevin Ronalds, and I know he will buy me a cheesesteak from Sal’s in Wind Gap ... K-KIDS, 35-17.