Manheim Central wins, sets up semifinal vs. Twin Valley
2023 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)
By Kyle Morgan — LNP/Lancasteronline
MANHEIM — Manheim Central’s defensive backs gave Bode Sipel the time he needed.
And the Barons senior linebacker went and delivered in the clutch.
Twice.
On back-to-back plays late in the fourth quarter, Sipel chased down Susquehanna Township quarterback Torin Evans for sacks, essentially squashing the Indians’ hopes and helping the third-seeded Barons hold on for a wild 45-34 win in the District 3 Class 4A football quarterfinals Friday at Elden Rettew Field.
Manheim Central (10-1) seemingly had a comfortable 38-21 lead going to the fourth before the sixth-seeded Indians gave them a scare. Using their athleticism and capitalizing on their big-play capabilities, Susquehanna Township pulled within four, 38-34, with 7:05 remaining following Darian Brown’s 40-yard TD reception and Evans’ 1-yard score.
But Barons QB Zac Hahn (25-of-30, 369 yards, four TDs) and Aaron Enterline (7 catches, 169 yards, two TDs) added the exclamation point to a big night for the dynamic duo with a much-needed 48-yard TD hookup, and then Sipel slammed the door.
“It’s exciting,” Sipel said. “It’s just a great atmosphere. We had plenty of fans out here and nothing beats hearing them scream after you make a play. The whole team comes together and celebrates and it’s amazing.”
Ironically, up until two or three games ago, Sipel was actually one of those D-backs who was giving the Barons’ pass-rushers a chance to reach the opponent’s quarterback. Due to injuries, however, he moved from his safety position to inside linebacker, and his first two sacks of the season couldn’t have come at a better time, giving Manheim Central a lift to advance to next Friday’s semifinals against Twin Valley.
“We have great coaches, they can teach us really well and I feel like (inside linebacker) isn’t that much different,” Sipel said. “You just have to read your keys and do your job.”
Both teams’ offenses were doing their job while manufacturing one big play after another and putting up points at breakneck speed in the opening half. Hahn’s 1-yard keeper for a score was answered by a 57-yard TD run by the Indians’ Dorian Smith.
Before either team punted, Hahn added TD passes of 39 yards to Cody Hess and 73 yards to Enterlline, while Evans and Smith scored on runs of 4 and 61 yards, respectively.
“That was a tough game,” Barons coach Dave Hahn said. “That was a good team. Their team speed concerned me and we’re a little bit banged up.”
But after Manheim regained the lead for good on Sipel’s 43-yard TD catch with 5:44 left in the half, a fumble recovery helped the Barons’ cause, and Drew Greiner’s 21-yard field goal put them up 31-21 at the half.
The advantage grew to 38-21 when Enterline intercepted a deflected pass in the end zone for a Pick-6 in the third quarter, and with Smith being held in check after rushing for 154 yards and two TDs on just seven carries in the first half, the Barons had things going their way. The Indians’ senior running back finished with 172 yards on 15 carries.
Yet Susquehanna Township still had a couple of big plays up their sleeve in the fourth quarter against a Baron defense which lost defensive end Xander Kolk to injury earlier in the game.
“I was concerned,” Hahn said. “That’s what happens when you get down to this point in the year and you get a couple of guys banged up, it can change the tide real quick.”
Fortunately for the Barons, Sipel turned the tide for his team with his two big sacks.
“I’m really excited for the next round,” he said. “We all are.”
