Nazareth 37, Freedom 29 – Rapid Recap
In the end, Nazareth Area High School’s football team took a step back in 2019.
A step back on top of the medal stand, that is.
The top-seeded Blue Eagles defeated third-seeded Freedom 37-29 in a classic District 11 Class 6A final on Friday night at Whitehall High School’s Zephyr Stadium.
Turning point: Nazareth’s Dominic Felician sprinted 90 yards for a touchdown on the opening kickoff of the second half, putting the Blue Eagles ahead 14-9 and setting the table for an absolutely epic final two quarters.
Jaiden Cabrera had another huge kickoff return for Nazareth, taking the ball all the way to Freedom’s 27-yard line in the closing minute of the third quarter. Four plays later, quarterback Matt Bugbee broke into the end zone for a 1-yard TD, pushing Nazareth’s lead to 31-22 with 11:29 to go in the contest.
Freedom responded with a 72-yard drive, which culminated on quarterback Ethan Neidig taking a 15-yard draw for a score, cutting the Blue Eagles’ advantage to 31-29 with 8:50 to play.
Nazareth needed only three plays to answer back after a short kickoff by the Patriots. Bugbee found Joe Capobianco wide open for a 49-yard reception down to the Freedom 4. Tailback Tyler Rohn then crossed the goal line and Nazareth extended its advantage to 37-29 with 8:13 on the fourth-quarter clock. The PAT was blocked to keep it a one-score game.
Freedom got the ball for the final time at its 48 with 5:26 to play. The Patriots advanced to the Nazareth 15, where they faced fourth-and-11 with time ticking away. Neidig heaved a final effort toward the end zone, but it was intercepted by Felician and time expired.
Even opening: In a first half that included a combined seven punts, Freedom opened the scoring with a 50-yard touchdown drive. Tailback Deante Crawford evaded several tackles on a 22-yard scoring run. The PAT was blocked and the Patriots led 6-0 with 2:42 left in the first quarter.
Freedom extended its lead on its next possession, settling for a 33-yard field goal by George Ferrey after a sack derailed the Patriots, who had advanced the ball to Nazareth’s 8-yard line. The kick put Freedom ahead 9-0 with 8:31 remaining in the first half.
The Blue Eagles found crucial points before intermission, going 67 yards in 2 minutes and 13 seconds. Bugbee darted into the end zone from a yard away with 9 seconds left on the second-quarter clock.
Freedom went into the break with a 9-7 advantage.
Top performers: Bugbee was 12 of 17 for 145 yards. He also ran for 32 yards and two scores.
Felician’s two memorable plays – to open and close the second half – were huge for the Blue Eagles.
Rohn rushed for 49 yards and a pair of scores. Capobianco caught five passes for 106 yards.
Crawford had 21 carries with 135 yards and three touchdowns for the Patriots.
What it means: Nazareth (8-0) won its second straight District 11 title and fifth overall. The Blue Eagles finished the season unbeaten for the first time since going 10-0 in 1967.
Freedom (5-2) was denied the program’s second D-11 title overall, as well as its second in three seasons. The Patriots are scheduled to meet rival Liberty on Wednesday in their season finale.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.
Kyle Craig may be reached at kcraig@lehighvalleylive.com.
"freedom" - Google News
November 21, 2020 at 10:27AM
https://ift.tt/36TonI8
Back-to-back for the Blue Eagles: Nazareth football beats Freedom for district title - lehighvalleylive.com
"freedom" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2VUAlgg
https://ift.tt/2VYSiKW
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Back-to-back for the Blue Eagles: Nazareth football beats Freedom for district title - lehighvalleylive.com"
Post a Comment