Undefeated Northampton’s 35-12 victory didn’t reflect how close Pleasant Valley kept the game for most of the night.

The Konkrete Kids led 14-6 at halftime and PV was able to keep it a one-score game until Northampton quarterback Connor King connected with Victor Hunt on a 68-yard touchdown pass in the opening drive of the third quarter.

The Bears rallied to make it 21-12 late in the third quarter, but weren’t able to get any closer.

“We had the ball on the 50-yard line with about six minutes left to try to pull within one score,” PV head coach Blaec Saeger said. “They’re big. They’re strong. They’re fast and a good football team. They’re a really big Valley school and they proved it down the stretch, but our kids hung. I think we proved we’re a pretty decent football team too and come a long way in a short amount of time.”

The rushing game was present on both sides all night. Pleasant Valley’s Jarod Moore and Robert Papaleo were able to punch in rushing scores for the team’s 12 points. Caden Henritzy scored three rushing touchdowns for Northampton, including two late in the ballgame to cement the victory.

“Their line is enormous, but our kids are tough as nails,” Saeger said. “They’re great kids and fight and claw and they were right there with the best that the (EPC) North has to offer. The game was a lot closer than the final score showed us. They punched those two in at the end.”

Connor King threw for two passing touchdowns on the night and both came in the third and fourth quarters. King found tight end Caden Reph for a 29-yard score to make it 28-12 and the Konkrete Kids began to pull away. Special teams also played a big part in Friday night’s game as both teams utilized their punting and kicking game in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference contest.

Ryan Blass had a monster kickoff return for Pleasant Valley after Henritzy scored his first rushing touchdown of the game with 7:24 left in the first quarter. The Blass return set up a six-play, 26-yard drive to put PV on the board.

Northampton answered right back with a big kickoff return by Jaelen Richardson to set up Henritzy’s second rushing touchdown of the game.

However, Saeger was proud of his kids and the effort they made against the tough Lehigh Valley team.

“Very proud of these kids,” Saeger said. “They’re very tough kids and they’ll bounce back. We got a monster next week in Freedom on the schedule. We’ll fight them too.”

TALLYING UP THE YARDS.... Pleasant Valley senior quarterback Robert Papaleo rushed 20 times for 67 yards against Northampton. Papaleo ran into some trouble late, which sent him scrambling to get rid of the ball.

STAYING UNBEATEN... The Northampton Konkrete Kids improve to 7-0 and face Pocono Mountain East next week at home. Northampton closes out the regular season against Dieruff, Whitehall and their annual Thanksgiving game against Catasuaqua.

ANOTHER POWERHOUSE... Pleasant Valley travels to Freedom next Friday night to play another Lehigh Valley powerhouse. Freedom defeated Whitehall 41-12 Friday night and are now 5-2 on the season.