Cocalico takes first step toward three-peat
2024 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)
By Jason Guarente — LNP/Lancasteronline
DENVER — Thomas Dattoli never really thought about scoring a touchdown. That doesn’t typically happen for guys who wear No. 61.
It was going to take something unusual. A strip sack maybe. Or the play that unfolded Friday night.
Jerry McArdle broke through the line to block a punt and Dattoli scooped up the loose ball. The 5-10, 240-pound lineman rumbled 11 yards into the end zone.
That was the most memorable moment as No. 7 Cocalico defeated No. 10 Hershey 42-21 in the District 3 Class 5A football playoffs.
Cocalico (8-3) earned the right to take on No. 2 Mechanicsburg on the road in the quarterfinals. The Eagles are pursuing a third consecutive district title.
Dattoli earned a lifetime memory. It was his first touchdown since Midgets.
“When he blocked it, I was like, ‘This has to bounce absolutely perfectly for me to score,’ ” Dattoli said. “It happened to bounce right into my arms. I couldn’t draw it up any better.”
Dane Bollinger, Cocalico’s senior linebacker, was moving in the other direction to set up a potential return when he saw Dattoli grab the ball. Nothing can energize a team like a big man taking it to the house.
“I couldn’t be happier for Thomas,” Bollinger said. “I was screaming my head off running down the field. That was amazing.”
McArdle has become a kick-blocking magician. This was the third consecutive week he took one off the opposing punter’s foot.
The first against Conrad Weiser turned into a score for Nick McArdle, Jerry’s younger brother. The second against Fleetwood was recovered by Wesley Sickmeier.
McArdle is a former baseball player who joined the football team as a sophomore and played receiver and linebacker last season. The 5-7, 180-pound senior has turned into a two-way force on the line and credited assistant coach Shawn Smith for helping him on the punt return unit.
“Obviously, a lot of preparation goes into offense and defense, but we take pride in special teams as well,” McArdle said. “That’s the third part of the game. It was definitely a momentum-changer.”
Cocalico matched its season high in points with two parts of its three-pronged rushing attack running wild.
Fullback Dane Horning went for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Josh Myer collected 130 yards and three scores. Both players are over 1,000 yards for the season.
“It was everyone doing their assignments,” Dattoli said. “Getting off the ball, getting into people and driving them down the field. It’s what we do here.”
Cocalico’s defensive line helped close it out with Jerry and Nick McArdle and Rylan Jennings harassing Hershey quarterback Cameron Sweeney.
Hershey (7-4) only trailed 21-14 at half before Cocalico pulled away in the third quarter. Sweeney rushed for two touchdowns and connected with Bryan Maduena for another.
This was likely the final home game for Cocalico’s accomplished senior class. Four of the six touchdowns were scored by seniors. One was a little more unexpected than the rest.
Jerry McArdle pulled everyone together in the postgame huddle and looked ahead to the next round. He said the road was going to get tougher and more emotional.
“This feels awesome,” McArdle said. “But the journey isn’t done yet.
