The word “history” carries a lot of weight in the high school football rivalry of Easton and Phillipsburg.
And the Red Rovers are on a historic run.
Easton has won six consecutive contests against the Stateliners, a streak unmatched by either side in the 114-game catalog.
This year’s Rovers want nothing more than to build on that run of dominance when the programs meet 10:30 a.m. Thursday for their Thanksgiving clash at Lafayette College’s Fisher Stadium.
It will be no small task for Easton, however, which enters with a disappointing 3-7 record compared to Phillipsburg’s impressive 10-1 mark.
Records, as any sports fan can attest, mean little in this sort of fixture. Still how – HOW – can the Rovers find the winning touch in their biggest game of the season?
Well, here are five reasons why Easton will get the job done and enjoy hot turkey.
To find why Phillipsburg will triumph, click here.
Rested, recovered Rovers
It will be nearly a month since Easton’s last game action when Thursday’s contest kicks off. That certainly could lead to rust, but there’s no doubting the Rovers will have fresh legs, which coach Jeff Braido considers a “silver lining.”
That includes senior running back/linebacker Aidan Hutchison, who has rushed for at least 150 yards and a touchdown in each of the five games he’s played since returning from injury on Sept. 30.
A healthy Hutchison can make all the difference for the Easton offense, which figures to be run-first under the operation of sophomore quarterback Joseph Martinez, who’ll be making his eighth varsity start.
It doesn’t end with Hutchison, however. Promising sophomore tailback William Day (421 rushing yards, five total TDs) is back in the mix. He hasn’t played since Oct. 14.
Clear improvement
Easton isn’t shouting its moral victories from the rooftops, but the team had a commendable performance in a 35-28 Week 10 defeat against Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division champion Nazareth.
Giving the Blue Eagles all they could handle showed a couple notable things: No. 1, the Rovers hadn’t quit on the campaign despite a disappointing string of results; and No. 2, the team had raised its level of play to go toe-to-toe with the best in the conference.
“When you look at it from the coaching perspective, you look at how much better you get every week,” Braido said. “The kids know that we definitely improved every week and probably played our best game of the season at the end of the season. Hopefully, we can carry that on.
“The kids know how well they’re capable of playing. We watch film with them, so they can see it’s one mistake here, one mistake there. Hopefully, we can put it all together on Thursday.”
The competition
The EPC South is generally a minefield to navigate. The league was even more competitively balanced in 2022.
Consider Allentown Central Catholic upset unbeaten Jersey Shore in the PIAA 4A bracket, Emmaus carried a state ranking most of the year before being knocked off in districts by Freedom, and Parkland finished the regular season 6-4 but was recently crown District 11 6A champion.
The Rovers had a difficult road and sport the bruises to prove it. That will help them on Thursday.
Phillipsburg, which could only play the games on its schedule, should be applauded for its 10 victories and sectional final berth.
“They don’t really change much from year to year, because they’re very good at what they do,” Braido said of P’burg. “If you go undefeated throughout the (regular) season, you’re obviously doing something right. They’re very good at executing their game plan.”
But, here’s a notable fact: six of the ‘Liners’ wins came against teams that finished with losing records. All told, Phillipsburg beat teams with a combined record of 46-52 (11 of those victories belong to Group 4 semifinalist North Hunterdon).
Hey, all the more reason to bring P’burg into the EPC.
Red-zone redemption
It has been a season of almosts for the Easton offense, which has often struggled to strike killer blows while in the red zone.
If Easton is more efficient in its opportunities, it’ll craft a satisfying conclusion to year. It won’t be simple against the P’burg defense, though.
“Their defense always flies to the football,” Braido said. “When we watch them on film: they get off the ball, their linebackers run like crazy to the play. We’re going to have to play with our eyes up and make sure we get a hat on those guys.”
Look for senior wideout JuJu Fear (40 receptions, 545 yards, seven TDs) to be a target near the goal line (and all over the field, really).
Another senior, JV Johnson, could provide problems for the P’burg defense, too. He’s rushed for 446 yards and caught 22 passes for 158 yards, and could shift momentum if he gets into the open field.
The intangible
Lastly, Easton benefits from the psychology of its own winning streak.
It took an improbable turnover and late touchdown to give the Rovers a victory last season. Perhaps that’s the power of this run.
Braido and staff are 4-0 against the ‘Liners, although recent success will have more of an effect on the players than the coaches.
With thousands of fans in attendance, doubt or assurance could easily creep into an athlete’s mind in a decisive moment. Which will it be?
Prediction: Easton 21, Phillipsburg 20.
RELATED: Why Phillipsburg will win
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Kyle Craig may be reached at kcraig@lehighvalleylive.com.
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