Exeter holds off Northern, returns to District 3 Class 5A championship game (updated)
(This story will be updated later tonight with additional details and postgame reaction.)
Exeter used a record-setting offense to reach last year’s District 3 Class 5A championship game. This year the Eagles are leading with their defense.
They shut down Northern’s running game and controlled the other end with Richie Karstien carrying 35 times to eliminate the Polar Bears 21-7 Friday night in a semifinal at frigid Don Thomas Stadium.
Karstien ran for 179 yards, 119 of it in the second half.
The win was the 12th of the year for Exeter, a program record. The Eagles (12-0) advance to the championship game for the second straight year. They’ll play third-seeded Cocalico, a 32-8 winner over top-seeded Solanco, next Friday in Reiffton.
The Eagles limited the Polar Bears (8-5) to just 50 yards and three first downs in the first half and 142 total yards and six first downs overall.
Exeter extended its streak of not allowing a TD in the first quarter to 12 games; they have allowed just six first-quarter points and 27 overall in the first half.
Northern had four possessions in the first half. It punted twice and were stopped by Miles Brant interceptions on the other two.
The Eagles went up 7-0 on Karstien’s first-quarter TD and 14-0 on Mason Rotelli’s 1-yard sneak in the second quarter.
Five plays after Northern pulled within 14-7 early in the fourth quarter the Eagles got a 30-yard TD pass from Rotelli to Joey Schlaffer to make it 21-7 with 7:00 left.
Schlaffer, Exeter’s all-time receptions and receiving yardage leader, finished with five catches for 111 yards.
Northern’s lone score came when Cole Bartram slipped a couple tackles and ran 35 yards for a TD with 9:32 remaining in the game.
Exeter had never played for a title before upsetting Gov. Mifflin 31-28 last season. It won’t be an upset to see the second-seeded Eagles win another.
They have the top-rated run defense in the Lancaster-Lebanon League, one of the state’s top players in tight end/defensive end Joey Schlaffer, one of the league’s most efficient passers in Rotelli and a dominant offensive line that consistently opens holes for 1,400-yard rusher Karstien.
The Eagles won first 11 games by an average of 29.2 points and have had only one close game, a 21-17 win at Manheim Central. In fact, that’s the only time they’ve trailed all season. They have mercy-ruled seven opponents.
Northern, the No. 11 seeded, didn’t have such an impressive resume — the Polar Bears were 4-4 at midseason — but seemed to find a winning formula in the last month.
Much like Exeter a year ago, which took three regular season losses before clicking in the playoffs, Northern has found success with a pounding run game. Cole Bartram has rushed for 1,554 yards and scored 16 touchdowns; he’s rushed for 100 or more yards nine times.
The Polar Bears’ success formula relies on strong defense and special teams player. Mason Yohn is one of their key players. In addition to being a strong defensive back — he has six interceptions — he has booted nine field goals, made every PAT and averages nearly 43 yards on punts.
He has helped Northern win a bunch of close games — including three by one point, the latest 21-20 over sixth-seeded South Western in the opening round of the playoffs. Last week they beat No. 3 New Oxford 20-7.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Northern | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Exeter | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Exeter | Karstien, 2 run (Skipper kick) | 7:46 |
| 2 | Exeter | Rotelli, 1 run (Skipper kick) | 0:52 |
| 4 | Northern | Bartram, 35 run (Yohn kick) | 9:32 |
| 4 | Exeter | Schlaffer, 30 pass from Rotelli (Skipper kick) | 7:00 |
Team statistics
| Northern | Exeter | |
| First downs | 6 | 19 |
| Rushes-yards | 23-79 | 49-213 |
| Passing yards | 63 | 121 |
| Total yards | 142 | 334 |
| Passes | 6-14-2 | 7-15-0 |
| Fumbles-lost | 1-0 | 2-0 |
| Punts-average | 5-34.6 | 2-32.0 |
| Penalties-yards | 325 | 4-25 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Northern: Bartram 15-74, McClintock 1-11, T. Bonin 7-(-6).
Exeter: Karstien 35-179, Rotelli 12-32, Schlaffer 1-3.
PASSING
Northern: T. Bonnin 6-14-2–63.
Exeter: Rotelli 7-15-0–121.
RECEIVING
Northern: Lamb 3-26, Yohn 1-28, Williams 1-6, Kitts 1-3.
Exeter: Schlaffer 5-11, Karstien 1-7, Z. Zandier 1-3.
INTERCEPTIONS
Exeter: Brant 2.
MISSED FIELD GOALS
Exeter: Skipper 26.