Capsule Preview: Manheim Central vs. Exeter
2023 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Manheim Central (8-1) vs. Exeter (8-1)
Kick: Friday, 7, at Don Thomas Stadium.
Section 2 records: Barons 5-0, Eagles 4-1.
What’s at stake? Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 championship. Manheim wins title outright with a victory; Exeter shares title with a win.
Series: Tied 2-2.
Last season: Exeter 21, Manheim Central 17.
2022 recap: Eagles pulled off a miraculous goal-line stand in the final minutes, stopping the Barons after they reached the 2 with 90 seconds remaining and trailing by four. They stopped a first-down run, got a sack on second down, then an interception in the back of the end zone by Nate Pashley to preserve their perfect season and win the Section 2 title in their first season in the league. Joey Schlaffer’s 70-yard touchdown run, out of the pocket as a Wildcat QB, was pivotal in bringing Exeter back from a 17-7 deficit. Richie Karstein’s short TD run with 7:25 left gave the Eagles the lead for good.
Barons update: Have won 6 straight since 48-28 loss at Cocalico in Week 3. . . Have allowed 4 TDs over last 5 games, with 3 shutouts, the latest 42-0 over Gov. Mifflin. . . Averaging 44.3 points, second-highest in the league and fourth-highest in District 3. . . QB Zac Hahn is the top passer in Section 2 with 1,998 yards, 29 touchdowns and just 2 INTs. . . Top target is Aaron Enterline, the Section 2 Receiver of the Year as a junior. He has 56 catches for a league-leading 1,144 yards and 20 TDs. . . Brycen Armold, the Section 2 Back of the Year as a junior, has rushed for 1,266 yards and 17 TDs. . . All-League TE Body Sipel has 39 receptions. . . Sipel was the Section 2 Defensive Back of the Year as a junior and one of 9 all-league picks back from a team that went 10-2 and reached the District 3 Class 4A final a year ago. . . Only close game has been 37-36 win at Smyrna (DE) in Week 2. . . Ranked No. 8 in the state in Class 4A. . . No. 3 in District 3 power ratings, behind defending champ Bishop McDevitt and Twin Valley.
Did you know? Manheim Central won its 600th game 3 weeks ago. The Barons have fielded a team since 1947. Their winning percentage (.721) is third-highest in the state, behind Ridley and Southern Columbia, among programs with 500 victories.
Eagles update: Saw program-record 20-game regular season winning streak snapped last week with 34-27 loss to Conestoga Valley. . . That cost Eagles a chance for a second straight outright section title. . . Junior Jayden Zandier continued his sensational season, with 201 rushing yards and 3 TDs last week. . . He needs 42 yards to reach 1,000. . . Soph QB Riley Martinez has thrown for 1,089 yards and 14 TDs. . . Top receiver is senior TE Zack Zandier, a Coastal Carolina commit who has 20 catches for 315 yards. . . Ranked No. 5 in the league in rushing defense. . . Junior LB Casey Gerhart leads team with 52 tackles. . . Junior LB Tyler Flanders leads team with 11 TFL and 5 sacks. . . He has blocked a punt and a field goal. . . Senior DT Ryan McConnell leads team with 9 hurries. . . All-League DB Nate Pashley has 3 INTs. . . Soph LB Aidan Dauble has 2 fumble recoveries. . . Ranked No. 7 in District 3 Class 5A power ratings. Could lose chance to host first-round game with a loss Friday.
| SECTION 2 | League | Overall | PF | PA | Up next |
| Manheim Central | 5-0 | 8-1 | 399 | 118 | @ Exeter |
| Conestoga Valley | 4-1 | 7-2 | 259 | 142 | @ Muhlenberg |
| Exeter | 4-1 | 8-1 | 355 | 126 | Manheim Central |
| Gov. Mifflin | 2-3 | 4-5 | 206 | 211 | Warwick |
| Warwick | 2-3 | 3-6 | 199 | 207 | @ Gov. Mifflin |
| Muhlenberg | 1-4 | 1-8 | 55 | 354 | Conestoga Valley |
| Lebanon | 0-6 | 0-9 | 58 | 435 | @ Cedar Crest |
