Hollywood’s Cutting Room Floor- District XI 6A Championship Edition

Tagged under: District 11, News, Playoffs

Brian Ptashinski | November 17, 2022

Rematch of Regular Season Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Contest Set For Friday Night at Historic Cottingham Stadium in Easton 7:05 Kickoff.

Last Week Bethlehem Freedom defeated Emmaus 28-27. Parkland rolled past Northampton 31-13.

BETHLEHEM FREEDOM(10-2) Coach Jason Roeder 18th season at Freedom Record 130-74.

Freedom avenged one of it’s two losses during the regular season last week by defeating the Green Hornets on the road 28-27. The Patriots lost on opening night 19-13. Now Freedom sets their sights on the Parkland Trojans, who they lost to in week three 21-13. The Patriots have only beaten the Trojans once in the last four meetings in 2019 21-18. The offense is averaging 32 points per game behind quarterback Ethan Neidig, who has thrown for 1,475 yards on 91-152 passing with 11 touchdowns and 5 picks. Neidig has also gained 615 yards running the ball on 123 attempts and 10 touchdowns. RB Jalen Fletcher has been the workhorse carrying the ball with 181 touches and 1,321 yards and 22 touchdowns. Senior and the EPC South defensive MVP WR Owen Johnson has caught 28 passes and 420 yards and a touchdown. Johnson also leads the team in tackles with 66 and has three sacks. For the second straight season Freedom started out 2-2 and then went on a 10 game winning streak to make it to the championship game. The defense is only allowing 14 points per game and have three shutouts.

PARKLAND TROJANS(8-4) Coach Tim Moncman 7th Year at Parkland Record 61-20.

Parkland was decimated by injuries early on the season and struggled to a 2-3 start, but have won 6 of their last 7 games, with only loss coming in the regular season finale to Emmaus 40-25. The offense is averaging 33 points/game. With QB Luke Spang, RB’s Nakhi Bullock and Trey Tremba fully back to full strength has boosted the squad the second half of the season. Spang has completed 108 of 172 passes for 1,697 yards and 15 touchdowns with just five interceptions Spang has also five touchdowns rushing on 69 carries for 262 yards. Tremba leads the team in rushing with 1,142 yards on 175 carries and 18 scores. He has also caught 26 passes for 394 yards and 5 touchdowns. Freshman Marquez Wimberly filled in nicely while the others were injured 331 yards on 65 attempts and six touchdowns. WR Jack Harrison leads the receiving corps with 35 receptions for 674 yards and found the end zone four times. The Defense is led by Nate Kemmerer with 49 tackles including 9 sacks. Mason Hollis is second with 45 tackles. The defense is giving up 17ppg and just one shutout a 42-0 win over Easton in week one.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: The Winner will advance in the PIAA 6A State Playoffs and face the winner of Northeast HS(9-2) and Perennial Power St. Joe’s Prep(8-1) which will be played Saturday at Northeast Supersite at noon.

HOLLYWOOD’s TAKE: Both teams come into the game on a roll, it may come down to who has the ball last. Both teams are very well coached by two of the best in the Lehigh Valley. Freedom is the defending District 6A Champions and took St. Joe’s Prep to the limit last year only losing by three 24-21 to the State runner-ups. Moncman is no stranger to winning a state final as led Bethlehem Liberty to gold back in 2008 4A title and second place finishes in 2005 and 2006. Look for Freedom to pull it out by 3.

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