Garden Spot lays claim to first section title since 2012
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 Daryl Simione — LNP/Lancasteronline
NEW HOLLAND — Garden Spot defeated Solanco 38-13 in a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3 game Friday night.
With the win, the Spartans (5-1, 9-1) clinched a share of the Section 3 title alongside Twin Valley and Ephrata. It is Garden Spot’s first section title since 2012.
Quarterback Kye Harting led the show for the Spartans. The dual threat senior threw for three touchdowns and added 124 rushing yards to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards passing on the season.
Solanco (2-4, 3-7) opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run by fullback Johnny Garcia.
The Spartans wasted little time answering back, however. Trenton Hoober returned the ensuing kickoff 33 yards, and Harting found AJ Hurst for a 48-yard touchdown to knot the score at 7-7 after one quarter of play.
Garden Spot’s defense, led by Reed Gruber, Jayden Redcay and Kyle Denlinger, subsequently limited the Mules’ vaunted triple-option attack, stopping Solanco on downs and forcing a series of punts to give Harting and company a chance to break the game open.
An interception in the end zone by Solanco linebacker Donovan Peters thwarted a Spartans drive, but Garden Spot regrouped with eight minutes left in the half.
Gabe Martin and Caleb Zimmerman gashed the Mules’ defense with lengthy runs, and Martin scored from 17 yards out to break the tie.
Hoober returned a Solanco punt 34 yards, and Harting connected with Jace Conrad on a 10-yard touchdown pass just inside the front pylon.
Garden Spot made good on its final possession of the half. Harting found Hoober for 16 yards and added a 26-yard run, setting up a 31-yard Zachary Martin field goal and giving the Spartans a 24-7 lead at the break.
Harting completed 10-of-16 passes for 157 yards, adding a third-quarter touchdown pass to Nick Smucker. Nathan Eberly (eight carries, 72 yards) capped the Spartans’ onslaught with a 15-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Cody Nolan (15-91), Kris Burgos (11-66) and Garcia (12-39) shouldered the load for the Mules, and Austin Jarabak threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Bradley Weder to round out the scoring.
Garden Spot looks forward to the District Three Class 5A playoffs and a likely first-round bye. Solanco’s season is over.
