The last dramatic shift in momentum belonged to the Phillipsburg High School football team during its home opener on Friday night.
And the Stateliners made the most of it.
Phillipsburg, ranked No. 7 by lehighvalleylive.com, rumbled away from previously unbeaten North Hunterdon, ranked eighth, in a 48-21 Big Central Conference cross-divisional victory at Maloney Stadium.
Turning point: North Hunterdon tailback Kente Edwards weaved through the Phillipsburg defense for a 28-yard touchdown to cut the visitors’ deficit to 27-21 with 5:23 remaining in the third quarter.
The Stateliners responded with a 10-play drive (all runs) that went 54 yards and culminated on a 14-yard scoring rush by John Wargo, pushing the hosts ahead 34-21 on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Phillipsburg lineman Kassym Domond jumped on a fumble to end North Hunterdon’s next possession.
Caleb Rivera then broke loose for a 48-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1 to extend the Stateliners’ lead to 41-21 and put the game out of reach.
P’burg outscored North 21-0 in the fourth quarter.
Top performers: Wargo often refused to be tackled and finished with 11 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Rivera had 88 yards and two scores on nine carries. Xavier Moore added 54 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
‘Liners QB Jett Genovese was 9 of 14 for 129 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed for a score. Kevin Burgess caught five passes for 103 yards.
Edwards was outstanding for the Lions. He took 16 carries for 210 yards and a touchdown. He also picked off a pass on defense.
What it means: P’burg remained unbeaten, improving its record to 3-0 ahead of a home contest vs. Hillsborough.
North (3-1) suffered its first loss. The Lions travel to Plainfield next weekend.
Kyle Craig may be reached at kcraig@lehighvalleylive.com.