Solanco puts it on the line in win over Cocalico
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)
By Brian Markley — LNP/Lancasteronline
QUARRYVILLE — Every Tuesday night after practice the five members of Solanco offensive line meet at Desmond Ferguson’s house for dinner.
“They’re a family,” Golden Mules coach Tony Cox said about the five juniors. “They all work together as one.”
| Final | |
| Solanco | 38 |
| Cocalico | 7 |
It’s a tight-knit band of brothers that move opposing defensive linemen out of the way and invite the every-play contact that comes with the territory.
“On the offensive line, you just got to love violence, man,” said Solanco offensive lineman Noah Gote.
The group goes into every Friday night game with one role in mind: pave the way.
Ferguson, Gote, AJ Haag, Evan Bennethum, and Tyler Kreider fulfilled their roles and then some in Solanco’s 38-7 Lancaster-Lebanon Section 3 victory over Cocalico Friday.
“They work hard all the time,” said Cox. “It’s awesome to watch them play.”
The five juniors prevailed in the trench battle, opening gaps for Solanco’s elite trio of running backs, who handled the rest.
Senior Johnny Garcia, who is on the precipice of a 4,000-yard career, had another stellar night. He rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns, his longest coming on the Golden Mules’ first drive when he ripped off a 72-yarder.
“We’ve known Johnny forever,” said Gote. “We’ve been blocking for him forever. I feel like everyone just loves blocking for Johnny.”
Wesley Bard was the only player on the offense not named Garcia that scored. Bard broke a tackle and galloped into the end zone for a 51-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Bard’s impact was felt on defense, as well.
Bard forced a fumble that was scooped up by Bryce Cox, who strode to the end zone for the first touchdown of his career.
In a way, Solanco’s opponent on Friday night was like playing the reflection it sees in the mirror.
The Golden Mules (4-0, 7-1) and the Eagles (1-3, 2-6) know each other well. They know exactly what the other is going to do. Both teams are physical and play hard.
“I told my team from the get-go that we had to respect them,” said Tony Cox. “They’re a great team. They’re very disciplined. They run the same offense we run, so they’re going to try to find the ways to get around certain things of what we do. It’s a hard offense to defend, especially when you don’t see it all the time.”
It was a matchup that had an old-school feel to it. It was a game that fans of the ground-and-pound approach to football dream about.
Eighty-four total plays were run between the two teams. Only three were passing plays.
The Eagles’ first drive proved to be their best. They ate nine minutes off the clock, using the combination of Connor Horning and Logan Horning to get deep into Solanco territory. Cocalico simply couldn’t capitalize.
The Eagles spoiled the Mules’ shutout bid at the end of the game through Paxton Fair, who cruised into the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown.
“It’s always a battle when we play here or there,” said Tony Cox on the matchup with Cocalico. “It’s just a good win.”
