Gov. Mifflin bounces back, sets scoring record vs. Lebanon
By Mike Mitchell Jr. — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Late-season games for Gov. Mifflin usually come with league championship and district seeding implications.
After suffering a crushing last-minute defeat last week at Conestoga Valley, the Mustangs found themselves in a unique situation Friday: They were playing a Week 8 game with nothing on the line but pride against winless Lebanon.
“Last week was extremely tough for us,” said Mifflin coach Jeff Lang. “We told the kids going into that game if they wanted to have a postseason we had to win that game.”
Despite the disappointment of that loss the Mustangs bounced back with a record-setting 62-0 win a Lancaster-Lebanon Section 2 game Friday at Mifflin Stadium.
“We had a great week of practice this week following that tough loss,” Lang said. “We told the kids that we are now playing for pride.
“We came out tonight and did what we needed to do. That’s a credit to our kids and our coaching staff for continuing to practice and play to a high level.”
Quarterback Delsin McNeil completed only two passes but both went for touchdowns.
On the Mustangs’ second possession he connected with tight end Aidyn Cannon for an 8-yard scoring strike. Later in the first quarter he hooked up with his twin brother Gerrell on a perfectly thrown 46-yard bomb.
“My brother and I have good chemistry together,” Delsin said. “I’ve targeted him a lot this year. I’m glad he was able to get his second touchdown tonight.
“They were playing their safeties low trying to stop the run, so we knew we could throw against them. Our line did a great job of protecting and the receivers ran great routes to enable us to score twice on passes.”
Senior running back Ayden Martin (four carries for 88 yards) also accounted for two touchdowns in the rout. He scored on a nifty 55-yard punt return.
“The kick was a low line drive,” said Martin, who later scored on a 39-yard run. “My biggest worry was just catching it as it nearly hit the ground. I then followed my great blocking and saw two guys to beat. I just used my speed to split them and ended up scoring.”
Sophomore running back Travis Jenkins also scored twice for the Mustangs on runs of 29 and 16 yards.
Mustangs kicker Jackson Schools connected on all eight of his extra points and executed some effective squib kicks to hinder the Cedars’ field position on many drives.
The 62-point margin of victory was the largest in Mifflin’s 69-year football history.
Mifflin’s previous largest margin of victory came in a 56-0 win over Cocalico last season.
The Mustangs’ record for points in a game is 68, against Mechanicsburg in 2020 and against Kennard-Dale in 1974.
Mifflin (2-2, 3-5) outgained Lebanon 399-55. The Mustangs defensive line penetrated the Cedars’ backfield all night long, holding Lebanon to minus-24 rushing yards. The secondary was equally as impressive. They blanketed the Cedar receivers all night long holding them to 79 yards on 25 pass attempts.
Mifflin plays state-ranked Section 2 co-leader Manheim Central next week. The Mustangs are approaching the game with confidence.
“Manheim Central is a great team,” said Delsin McNeil. We are going to get back to work and prepare hard for them.”
“Manheim Central is a great football team,” said Lang. “We are going to go at them with everything we have. We are a good football team when we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties.”
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Lebanon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gov. Mifflin | 35 | 21 | 6 | 0 | 62 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Gov. Mifflin | Jones, 26 run (Schools kick) | 11:33 |
| 1 | Gov. Mifflin | Cannon, 8 pass from D. McNeil (Schools kick) | 5:49 |
| 1 | Gov. Mifflin | Harter, 76 run (Schools kick) | 4:34 |
| 1 | Gov. Mifflin | G. McNeil, 46 pass from D. McNeil (Schools kick) | 3:51 |
| 2 | Gov. Mifflin | Martin, 55 punt return (Schools kick) | 1:54 |
| 2 | Gov Mifflin | Martin, 39 run (Schools kick) | 9:24 |
| 2 | Gov. Mifflin | Jenkins, 29 run (Schools kick) | 5:23 |
| 2 | Gov. Mifflin | Jenkins, 16 run (Schools kick) | :00 |
| 3 | Gov. Mifflin | Wunderlich, 1 run (no attempt) | :30 |
Team statistics
| Lebanon | Gov. Mifflin | |
| First downs | 6 | 11 |
| Rushes-yards | 14-(-24) | 30-345 |
| Passing yards | 79 | 54 |
| Total yards | 55 | 399 |
| Passes | 10-25-1 | 2-4-0 |
| Fumbles-lost | 1-1 | 2-0 |
| Punts-average | 6-25 | 0-0 |
| Penalties-yards | 6 – 40 | 7 – 80 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Lebanon: Figueroa 3-12, Infante 3-9, K. Stoner 2-5, Sanchez 1-0, Bowers 1-(-1), Castro 3 – (-28), TEAM 1 – (-21).
Gov. Mifflin: Martin 4-88, Harter 2-80, Garner 10-56, Jenkins 3 – 51, Jones 1-26, D. Mc Neil 2-19, Hohl 3-12, Pletz 3-9, Wunderlich 2-4.
PASSING
Lebanon:Castro 5-16-1-41; k. Stoner 5-9-0-38.
Gov. Mifflin: D. McNeil 2-4-0-54.
RECEIVING
Lebanon: Orosco 3-38, Infante 2-17, Z. Stoner 1-16, Estevez 1-4, Watson 1-3, Figueroa 1-1.
Gov. Mifflin: A. McNeil 1-46, Cannon 1-8.
INTERCEPTIONS
Gov. Mifflin: Howland.
