“DIG” – Discipline, Ignore the Noise, Grit. This Stateliner slogan serves as a critical reminder for the Phillipsburg football team to remain resilient, focused, and determined, even when being underestimated. On Friday, August 28, the
Liners shocked Maloney Stadium by pulling off a thrilling 28-21 upset over the Parkland Trojans. This victory stunned many, as Parkland was a top-ranked team in the East Penn Conference. For the first time in decades, the Stateliners are scheduled to battle three EPC teams in a highly anticipated opening to the 2026 football season.
Head Coach Frank Duffy reminded his team to “Ignore the Noise” as almost all onlookers favored the Trojans to win. The Stateliners’ somewhat inexperienced team refused to back down from the challenge, bringing power and drive to every play. Junior Quarterback Dominic Bracco completed 8 out of 14 passes for a total of 157 yards, a career-high feat.
“We were the underdogs. We got doubted; everybody voted Parkland,” Bracco shared. “[This win] doesn’t change how we view the rest of the season. We have to stay mentally focused; we can’t drink that Kool-Aid. We just have to keep winning.”
The Stateliners’ ability to dominate the ball was a key factor in their win on Friday night. Senior running back Shane Moore ran the ball 15 yards in the second quarter to tie the game 14-14 going into halftime. Moore was unstoppable on the field, gaining 135 yards on 26 attempts.
“Every touchdown we scored, we earned it. I think every touchdown was a turning point. We knew how to respond, and we just kept responding. I’m so proud of all those guys,” Moore noted. “[This win] was a confidence booster, for sure. Not a lot of people understood what we had going on here. We’re kind of a new team this year. But we’re going to put our heads down, keep working. This is just another stepping stone.”
Phillipsburg took the final lead over Parkland in the fourth quarter when Junior Blake Paulus completed an astounding 57-yard pass from Bracco for a touchdown, merely seconds after Parkland’s wide receiver Blake Nassry caught a 27-yard pass to tie the game 21-21. After that, the Stateliner defense was unshakeable, with the boys protecting their home field until the clock ran out.
“We’re going to be a well-rounded team,” Moore promised when asked about his outlook on the rest of the season. “We’re going to work our tails off during the week, come back every Friday with the same intensity, and I hope [the Stateliner fans] are as excited as I am.”
The Stateliners are heading to Emmaus High School next Friday, September 4, to face off against the Hornets. All eyes are on Phillipsburg as they ride the wave of an impressive first victory and a demanding regular season schedule.
