Eppinette’s return spurs Cocalico past Manheim Central

By Matt Pawlikowski Last updated Sep 28, 2024

2024 Berks football coverage presented by

Utilities Employees Credit Union

(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)

By Matt Pawlikowski — LNP/Lancasteronline

MANHEIM — Cocalico’s Brayden Eppinette knew his team needed something big to start the second half.

Manheim Central had all momentum, having blocked a kick and scored before the half, to get within three points Friday night.

So instead of waiting for the first offensive series, Eppinette took the first Barons punt and raced down the sidelines for a score.

One play, 67 yards. It gave the Eagles a 10-point cushion and proved to be the game-changer in a 30-14 win in a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3 game at Manheim.

“I let the defenders come up towards me,” said Eppinette, who also rushed for 92 yards. “I pursued, hit the sidelines and that was that.”

After the Barons deferred and kicked away to open the game, Cocalico wasted no time making a statement. Myer rolled around end for a 34-yard score to make it 7-0 and cap a 10-play drive with a little over five minutes gone.

Manheim Central (0-2, 2-4) then surprised the Eagles (3-0, 4-2) on its first series, going to the air.

Ray Lewis started the drive with an 8-yard completion, then hit another for 30 yards to Jayvior Morales and finished it with a 37-yard strike to Morales. Katie White’s PAT kick tied it.

Talen Popolis hit a 36-yard field goal early in the second quarter for Cocalico. Another beauty by Eppinette, this time a 32-yard run, made it 17-7 with 7:20 left until the half, but the Barons weren’t done.

Lewis went to the air again, connecting with Asher Cook for 25 yards.

“Obviously, this is a rivalry and we don’t like Manheim,” said Eppinette. “We came here and wanted to make sure that number stayed at 607 on the bleachers, and it did.”

Up next, Cocalico travels to War Memorial Field in Ephrata for a showdown with the Mountaineers. It’s a rematch of last season’s District 3 Class 4A championship game. Manheim Central travels to face Solanco at Quarryville.