Nazareth Exacts Revenge on Northampton
Tagged under: District 11, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs
Cody Brady | November 1, 2025
Nazareth v Northampton TV by PAFootball Newsdotcom
Two weeks ago, Northampton beat Nazareth 41-28. This time around, Northampton was on their way with a two-score lead, but Marquez Wimberly had other ideas when he broke away for a 57-yard touchdown dash moments after a Northampton score to energize his team in the second quarter. He would be a workhorse all night long as Nazareth battled back to eventually take and keep the lead in a 37-36 nail-biter.
Northampton started strong. On the first play of the game, Chase Kessler, who ran for over 300 yards in the meeting two weeks ago, took off for 73 down the far sideline. A few plays later, he capped the scoring drive with a 1-yard score and Northampton had the early 7-0 lead.
After the team exchanged punts, Nazareth found their stride. Luke DiPietro caught a short screen and took it 44 yards. The Blue Eagles settled for an Owen Hall field goal to get on the board, trailing 7-3 with 3:30 to play in the first quarter.
The Kids responded with a methodical 13-play drive that spanned the next 7:30 of the game. A steady diet of Zander Rickert, Chase Kessler and Ezekiel Spencer marched Northampton down the field. Gavin Taff had a big run called back on an illegal formation, but the drive culminated with a Kessler 1-yard touchdown plunge. Northampton led 14-3 and Nazareth fans were feeling deja vu.
Wimberly wasn’t having it. On Nazareth’s next play from scrimmage, he bolted free, racing 57 yards to the house to bring his Eagles back within 14-10. The change in momentum was subtle and not immediately noticeable, though, as Northampton did respond. Chase Kessler ripped off a 23-yard gain that set up Gavin Taff for a 1-yard keeper. With 6:06 to play before the intermission, Northampton still enjoyed a two-score lead at 20-10.
As Nazareth drove in response, entering the red zone, disaster struck. The snap went by Chase Brown for a 15 yard loss, stalling the Eagles and forcing Owen Hall on for another field goal try. In the windy night, he connected for the second time from 36 yards out, bringing Nazareth within 20-13.
The half concluded when Rafael Calderon blocked a 32-yard field goal attempt from the Konkrete Kids, but Northampton led 20-13 at the break.
Wimberly got the scoring going in the third quarter, finishing off Nazareth’s opening drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. Along the way, DiPietro caught a 12-yard pass on 4th & 5 that kept the drive going. On the ensuing drive, Gavin Taff ripped off a 41 yard gain, but Northampton was stalled when a 4th & 18 pass went incomplete inside Nazareth territory.
Wimberly capped a 14-play drive with 11:15 to play in regulation when he found the end zone from five yards out. The pitch and run to his left paid off again with the two-point conversion try. Suddenly, Nazareth had its first lead of the game at 27-20. And the Blue Eagles would never relinquish it.
Wimberly contributed again with a 47-yard gain, somehow maneuvering his way through traffic through the middle and nearly scoring. Leluga caught a 9-yard touchdown two plays later that saw the Blue Eagles take a two-score lead with under eight minutes to go.
Fontanez hit Sincere Wadlington on a corner route for a pickup of 53 yards on the Kids’ next drive. Kessler scored from two yards out and Taff powered his way in for the two-point conversion. With 6:06 to go, we were far from done, as the Nazareth lead was cut to 34-28.
After a penalty on the kickoff return saw Nazareth begin at the Northampton, Nazareth had its chance to put the final nail in the coffin and serve up their revenge. With 2:55 to play and a 4th & 1, Owen Hall was called upon for a field goal that could get the lead back to two scores. Just before the snap, the wind picked up significantly and swirled. His boot went high and floated through, moving the Nazareth lead to 37-28.
While Northampton was able to drive the field and get a Zander Rickert touchdown with 1:57 left, it was too late. The needed onside kick was recovered by Nazareth. With 12 seconds left, Madson ran backwards into his end zone and took the safety with no time remaining.
Marquez Wimberly finished his final home game with 236 yards and three scores on 26 carries. While Northampton put up over 400 yards on offense, Nazareth would not be denied on Friday night. The Blue Eagles advance to face Parkland. The Trojans will be seeking the school’s 500th all-time victory next week.
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