One for the ages: Easton rallies in the second half to defeat rival P’burg on Thanksgiving

EASTON- On a soggy cold and gray day at Fisher Stadium at Lafayette College on Thanksgiving morning in 2024 will long live in the memories of those that witnessed the 117th meeting between Easton and Phillipsburg, as an unlikely her would emerge to kick one of the most dramatic field goal in overtime to give the Easton Red Rovers a come-from-behind 17-14 win over the State liners before a packed and raucous crowd.

After being 0-for-3 on field goal attempts this season, including a 22 yard attempt earlier in the game, that clanged off the left upright right before halftime. Junior place-kicker Noah Borluca stepped up and drilled a 21 yard field goal in overtime to seal the 14-point comeback to the elation of the Easton fans and soured a part of the P’burg Thanksgiving day.

Neither team could points on the board in the opening quarter as the light, but steady rain fell for much of the game with temperatures remaining in the 30’s. Easton punted the ball a half dozen times in the first half and Phillipsburg did not Garner a first down the entire first quarter.

The State liners though finally got some traction going in the second quarter as QB Jett Genoves ripped off an impressive 35 yard gain. RB Sam Dech capped off the drive with a six yard score with 6:24 left. Alexie Moreira connect on the point-after making the score 7-0.

6yd @SamDech24 touchdown @PHSStateliners 6:24 till half 7-0 over @EastonFootball @PaFootballNews @PFN_Luxy @LSVSports @LindseyB_PFN @ScipScip pic.twitter.com/A1DiPDCLzh

— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) November 28, 2024

After forcing a another Easton punt on the ensuing Rover drive. The State liners would capitalize once again, this time Genovese would score from four yards out following a 37 yard Dech run with 2:55 left before half and a 14-0 lead for the kids from New Jersey.

Easton would drive deep into State liners territory, but the field goal hit the upright and bounced away by Borluca. P’burg took a knee and the teams headed into the locker room with score 14-0.

The second half was played mostly rain free and the Easton defense made a key stop of the State liners offense on a fourth-and-seven from the Easton 23. The Rovers half and that seemed the ignite Easton offense as led by QB Cole Ordway, who marched the quad down field and running back Dorian Thomas would find the end zone from 4 yards out with 3:10 left in the third quarter. Borluca added the PAT to make it 14-7

The State liners were missing the services of WR Matthew Scerbo in the second half do to an injury. Genovese could not utilize the passing game after Scerbo’s departure early in the second half. Easton’s defense forced 5 straight 3-and-outs in the half and overtime.

Thomas would score has second touchdown, after being hit by several State liners would-be-tacklers pushed the pile and crossed the goal line from 5 yards out and would tie the score at 14 with 6:01 left in regulation. Both teams had a chance to try to end the game down the stretch but both defenses came up big forcing overtime.

P’burg would get the ball first and Dech had a 5 yard run, but that would be as far as they would get. Moreira came on to attempt a 22 yard field goal to take the lead but was wide right and Easton would get a chance to close out the contest.

Playing conservative. The Rovers got the ball to the four setting up Borluca’s dramatic kick, which was straight and true as the Rover bench swarmed the field

21yd game winning field goal @BorlucaNoah for @EastonFootball in OT 17-14 over @LinersFootball @PaFootballNews @PFN_Luxy @ScipScip @CCHastings1863 @NittanyPete @LSVSports @LindseyB_PFN @jaredsamuelpfn pic.twitter.com/bxHtF7GglQ

— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) November 28, 2024

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