Stubborn Mules fought to the end in championship loss to McDevitt
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 Jason Guarente — LNP/Lancasteronline
LITITZ — They filled every inch of the visitors bleachers and lined up along the fence. It seemed like everyone from Quarryville was here.
If a community’s spirit and a team’s collective will could win a football game, Solanco might have ended up celebrating Friday night.
It takes more than those things. More size, more speed, more depth than the Golden Mules were able to muster.
Third-seeded Bishop McDevitt denied No. 4 Solanco 38-20 in the District 3 Class 5A championship game at Warwick’s Grosh Field.
After the band played the alma mater, Solanco coach Tony Cox looked at his players kneeling in front of him and told them what the fans already knew.
“You guys played a helluva game,” Cox said. “You played your hearts out.”
This was the ultimate apples vs. oranges matchup. McDevitt claimed its fifth consecutive district title and record-setting 19th overall. Solanco has zero.
It was an All-Star collection of talent from all around District 3 taking on a roster pieced together from eight townships in rural Lancaster County.
Many expected a blowout. Solanco had other plans.
“Everybody underestimated us,” senior Bryce Cox said. “We showed them that we were more than just nobodies.”
Solanco entered this heavyweight bout with what could be described as a puncher’s chance. The Mules brought a vast array of skill players, an overpowering offensive line and a tenacity that’s impossible to measure.
Center Evan Bennethum, guards Desmond Ferguson and Noah Gote and tackles Tyler Kreider and AJ Haag provided a reason to believe.
What if Solanco could triple-option McDevitt into submission? What if the Mules could score enough points and hold onto the ball long enough to prevail?
For about eight minutes of the first quarter, that looked possible. Two drives resulted in touchdown runs by Kris Burgos. One went for 43 yards and one went for 21.
Solanco was ahead 14-7 and was riding a wave of emotion. That turned out to be the Mules’ high-water mark.
McDevitt (12-1) is always on the brink of a big play and its speed is hard to fully appreciate until you see it in person. The Crusaders scored 31 unanswered points after facing an early deficit.
“They’re a solid team,” Solanco lineman Frank Lucarino said. “But we put up a fight. I’m proud of these kids. They’ve shown so much integrity.”
Although it might sound trite to say Solanco fought to the end, that’s really what happened. They forced a fumble in the final minutes and the bench erupted in cheers even though the math didn’t add up for a possible comeback.
Wesley Bard scored Solanco’s final touchdown with 2:46 left. It felt like a statement that was louder than six points. A reminder that the Mules didn’t come here to be kicked around.
Solanco (11-2) suffered its first loss in 91 days. It went undefeated in Section 3 and made its first appearance in a district final.
There were surprisingly few tears shed in the postgame huddle. Cox was one player who struggled to hold them back.
“It’s just the pain of the end,” Cox said. “I’m super proud of everybody.”
Mostly, the feeling was achievement. Everyone wearing black and gold elevated Solanco football to new heights.
Lucarino, who lost his dad Larry to cancer during the season, walked off the field with his head held high.
“I can leave this program with a smile on my face,” Lucarino said. “Because I know I gave it everything I had.”
As the final seconds slipped away, almost all of Solanco’s fans remained. One voice cut through the chilly fall air.
“Thank you, boys,” it said. “We love you.”
Solanco will have to move on from its dream season. The Mules know they squeezed everything they could out of it.
