2025 Cement Bowl Game Preview: Whitehall Wants What Northampton Has The Cement Bowl Trophy

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Dan DiEdwardo | September 18, 2025

Whitehall Wants What Northampton Has The Cement Bowl Trophy

This Friday 7 PM at Al Erdosy Stadium Northampton, the 2-2 Northampton Konkrete Kids will host the 3-1 Whitehall Zephyrs who will try to regain control of the Cement Bowl Trophy after last years 41-10 loss to Northampton. The Cement Bowl is a reminder of the long history of tough hard working people that make up both of these communities. Northampton and Whitehall were built and thrived because of the cement industry. That same toughness and dedication it took to work in those plants transferred to their sports teams. And you add the fact that they are right across the Lehigh River from each other and now you have a rivalry. This is a really good match up and I expect a great game, both teams are built to run the ball and control the clock to set up the pass. Both have stingy a defense that makes the other team work for every yard and keep the other team’s offense off the field. And that has been the case since they played the 1st Cement Bowl in 1983 and long before that.

Northampton traveled to Pennsbury and won their season opener 20-14 with a goal line stand. Then in their home opener against East Stroudsburg South they unleashed their ground game for 7 touchdowns, three by sophomore Chase Kessler. Their next game was against Parkland and resulted in their first loss for Northampton 38-27. They matched up well against one of the top teams in the state, but missed opportunities late in the game sealed their fate and Parkland hung on for the win. Next up for Northampton was the high powered air attack of the Liberty Hurricanes with Antonio Fontanez who passed for 4 touchdowns at quarterback and receivers Jake Pukszyn caught two touchdowns and Zaire Davis caught two touchdowns, Liberty can score in a hurry. Northampton’s ground attack put 21 points on the board in the first half and controlled the clock. But Liberty only needed 5 plays to score 2 touchdowns, added another quick score and they were tied 21-21 at the halftime. Northampton built up the lead to 34-21 after Chase Kessler’s 2nd and 3rd touchdowns of the night. But the lead did not last as Liberty scores 20 4th quarter points and came out on top 41-34. Coach Toman and the Konkrete Kids will be looking to put one in the win column against Coach Marino and the Zephyrs and keep the Cement Bowl Trophy.

Whitehall started their season at home against District 2 opponent Wilkes-Barre Wolfpack which they won easily 38-14. Talon Dogmanits had 4 receptions for 83yards and a touchdown, Jeziah Gregory provided 165yards on the ground and ran for 3 touchdowns. Next up for the Zephyrs was Peyton Falzone and the Nazareth Blue Eagles an EPC match up with one of the best offenses in the state. There were able to hang with Nazareth only down 28-21 with 10:16 in the 3rd. But that was as close as it got, Nazareth won 62-33. Then it was Whitehall’s turn to score 62 points in a big win at home over East Stroudsburg South 62-21 on a night that featured Saquon Barkley’s jersey was retired. The Zephyrs got another great performance from Jesiah Gregory who ran for 175yards on 14 carries and scored 3 touchdowns. The Zephyrs 2-1 then played Pocono Mt West 3-0 at home and won easily 45-13 allowing only one touchdown early in the game and not allowing another score till late in the game. Whitehall will be looking for their third win in a row and take back the Cement Bowl Trophy.

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