Northampton Takes on Nazareth for First Time Since 2025 Playoffs

Tagged under: District 11, News, pfn

john fox dan di edwardo | October 21, 2026

Last October, Northampton was on the verge of pulling off an upset against Nazareth on the road in the District 11 6A playoffs. However, Nazareth rallied from an 11 point deficit late in the game to win 37-36. Almost a year later, Northampton returns to Andrew S. Leh Stadium looking to avenge that loss.

Northampton enters the game at 5-3 coming off a close home loss to Freedom 17-14. They started the year with Zion McKinney at QB, but transitioned to Luke Stopay following an ankle injury to McKinney in a win against Pleasant Valley earlier in the season. Stopay has 31 completions for 306 yards and 2 TDs on the season. Just like in the 2025 campaign, the engine of the Northampton offense remains RB Chase Kessler, who has 182 attempts for 1,225 yards and 12 TDs on the season. In the receiving core, Northampton has a balance with Evan Kleppinger (6 receptions for 110 yards and 1 TD), Devin McDonald (9 receptions 103 yards), and Colby Brearman (9 receptions for 91 yards and 1 TD). On defense, Northampton relies on the combination of MLB Chase Czarnecki (31 tackles, 1 fumble return) and DB Colby Brearman (22 tackles, 3 INTs, 1 Pick 6). Northampton relies on wearing opponents down with their run game and controlling time of possession, something that is not easy to do against a juggernaut like Nazareth.

Nazareth enters the game at 7-1 and have won every game since their season opening 63-34 loss to Garnet Valley. QB Cooper Madson, who took over after a season ending collarbone injury to Peyton Falzone last year, has 138 completions for 2,030 yards and 23 TDs to only 2 INTs in his first full season as starter. Their leading rusher is Will Bacolo, who has 142 attempts for 828 yards and 15 TDs. The Blue Eagles possess a deep WR core, with Luke DePietro leading the way with 49 receptions for 829 yards and 3 TDs. They also have Matt Leluga (30 receptions for 578 yards and 8 TDs), TE Mason Marinelli (18 receptions for 231 yards and 4 TDs), and Lance Zuercher (22 receptions for 254 yards and 2 TDs). On defense, they feature some of the aforementioned offensive stars like Matt Leluga (21 tackles, 3 INTs), and Luke DePietro (22 tackles, 1 INT), as well as Chase Brown (22 tackles, 1 INT, 1 fumble return). Nazareth is rolling offensively and looking to carry momentum from a 52-49 road win over Bethlehem Catholic last week.

With the regular season winding down, Nazareth is looking to prove that no one can stop their offense as they enter the playoffs in November. For Northampton, they want to make a statement on the road against a Nazareth team that ended their season a year ago. There is a lot on the line in this game, such as potential playoff seeding, as these 2 teams could be meeting again on this same field 2 weeks from now in a playoff rematch from last year. Can Nazareth keep their momentum rolling or will Northampton snatch it from them? Tune in Friday Night to find out!