Gio Cavanna, Muhls run to second straight win (updated)
By John Finger — LNP/Lancasteronline
ATGLEN — Muhlenberg senior Gio Cavanna was a one-man wrecking crew Friday, rushing for 220 yards and three touchdowns on three long runs en route to a 25-13 non-league win over Octorara.
Two of those runs came on 75-yard dashes that sliced through the heart of Octorara’s defense. A third came score came on a swing pass from quarterback Drew Fidler that covered 65 yards.
The Muhls immediately had an answer for Octorara after the Braves’ seven-play, 64-yard drive that ended with a touchdown from quarterback Braeden Wood.
In his first play from scrimmage, Cavanna dashed 75 yards for the touchdown. The teams traded four possessions until Cavanna did it again with 4:54 remaining in the half.
The Muhls’ Ulices Ramirez scored on a 60-yard run on the first play from scrimmage to open the second half. He finished with 88 yards rushing on six carries.
Cavanna carried the ball six times for 142 yards with one catch for 65 yards.
Muhlenberg ran the ball for 229 yards in the first half to control the time of possession and wear down the Octorara defense.
The win was the second straight for the Muhls, who ended a 26-game losing streak by Reading High last year in their season finale.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Muhlenberg | 6 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 25 |
| Octorara | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Octorara | Wood, 12 run (A. Kurtz kick) | |
| 1 | Muhlenberg | Cavanna, 75 run (kick failed) | |
| 2 | Muhlenberg | Cavanna, 75 run | |
| 3 | Muhlenberg | Ramirez, 60 run (run failed) | |
| 3 | Muhlenberg | Cavanna, 65 pass from Fidler (kick failed) | |
| 4 | Octorara | Stoltzfus, 3 run (kick failed) |
Team statistics
| Muhlenberg | Octorara | |
| First downs | 12 | 16 |
| Rushes-yards | 34-367 | 50-253 |
| Passing yards | 85 | 126 |
| Total yards | 452 | 379 |
| Passes | 3-6-1 | 5-7 |
| Fumbles-lost | 3-2 | 3-1 |
| Punts-average | 25.0 | 31.7 |
| Penalties-yards | 9-60 | 5-30 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Muhlenberg: Cavanna 7-220, Ramirez 6-88, Gumby 5-24, T. Cruz 8-15, Fiddler 2-14, Rosario 3-5, DeJesus 2-1.
PASSING
Muhlenberg: Fiddler 3-6-1–85.
RECEIVING
Muhlenberg: Cavanna 1-68, Gumby 1-11, Cleminson 1-6.