Gov. Mifflin no match for state-ranked Manheim Central
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 John Walk — LNP/Lancasteronline
Manheim Central senior backup running back Michael Torres entered Friday’s game with 11 total carries through the first eight weeks of the football season. He learned earlier this week he would get his first career start.
Torres easily had the most memorable Senior Night of the Barons’ 16 seniors on Elden Rettew Field. The 5-8 back rushed for 280 yards and four touchdowns in Manheim Central’s 42-0 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 win over visiting Gov. Mifflin.
The Mustangs (2-3, 4-5) were shut out for the first time this season. The loss dealt a big blow to their postseason aspirations.
As for Torres, he never expected such a huge performance.
“That’s mind-blowing,” he said of his rushing total. “I’m so blessed coming into this position that I can perform and show the coaches I can play.”
Torres got the nod in place of 1,200-yard back Brycen Armold, who was unavailable for undisclosed reasons, according to coach Dave Hahn.
“We were in a situation where we didn’t have the other running back,” Hahn said. “This one (Torres) stepped up in a big way. He proved he can do the job. I’m excited about that.”
With Conestoga Valley (4-1, 7-2) topping Exeter (4-1, 8-1), Manheim Central (5-0, 8-1) clinched at least a share of the Section 2 title heading into next week’s showdown at Exeter. The Barons will win the title outright with a victory.
It’s unclear who will handle the rushing load then, but Torres certainly made his case Friday. He had seven carries of 15 yards or more, with the longest a 29-yarder in the first half.
“I’m very proud of my O-line,” Torres said. “I couldn’t have done this today without them. I appreciate them.”
The Barons’ O-line entered the year with one returning starter. Of the five starting trenchmen, one of them is a senior: Ethan Jones.
“We’ve been working hard together as a team,” Jones said. “Building a bond and getting better as a group. Since Week One we’ve gotten a lot better.”
The Barons began with a bang when quarterback Zac Hahn chucked a 66-yard touchdown bomb down the left sideline to his favorite target Aaron Enterline for the pair’s 20th throw-and-catch score this season.
Hahn finished 9-of-11 for 124 passing yards to go along with 41 rushing yards.
The Barons second drive went 10 plays over 76 yards, capped by Torres’ 3-yard run to the left side in which he made two defenders miss, pushing the lead to 13-0.
The advantage held through halftime but could have if not for three Manheim Central giveaways in the first half in wet, rainy conditions.
“In this weather condition it’s bound to happen,” Dave Hahn said. “We’ll clean that stuff up. I’m not going to dwell on it.”
A 9-play, 62-yard drive pushed the lead to 21-0 when Torres ran it to the left side for a 9-yard score and Hahn followed with a successful 2-point run.
Enterline made it 28-0 by intercepting a fourth down fake punt pass attempt by Governor Mifflin 2-3, 4-5) and returning it 60 yards. Torres scored twice more before the end.
After waiting to get his shot, Torres said the key was to, “Stay patient, work hard and opportunities will come.”
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Gov. Mifflin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Manheim Central | 13 | 0 | 15 | 14 | 42 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Manheim Central | Enterlilne, 66 pass from Hahn (kick missed) | 11:47 |
| 1 | Manheim Central | Torres, 3 run (Greiner kick) | 6:44 |
| 3 | Manheim Central | Torres, 9 run (Hahn run) | 5:55 |
| 3 | Manheim Central | Enterline, 60 interception return (White run) | 0:24 |
| 4 | Manheim Central | Torres, 6 run (Greiner kick) | 8:04 |
| 4 | Manheim Central | Torres, 5 run (White kick) | 1:26 |
Team statistics
| Gov. Mifflin | Manheim Central | |
| First downs | 4 | 18 |
| Rushes-yards | 29-102 | 44-321 |
| Passing yards | 12 | 124 |
| Total yards | 114 | 445 |
| Passes | 2-13-2 | 9-11-1 |
| Fumbles-lost | 1-0 | 2-2 |
| Punts-average | 7-36.7 | 1-39 |
| Penalties-yards | 8-73 | 2-10 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Gov. Mifflin: Hohl 6-47, Alvarez 3-16, Wunderlich 3-10, Pletz 7-9, Huber 3-7, Jones 4-7, Garner 3-6.
Manheim Central: Torres 28-276, Hahn 15-52.
PASSING
Gov. Mifflin: Pletz 2-11-1–12, Wunderlich 0-2-1–0.
Manheim Central: Hahn 11-14-1–139.
RECEIVING
Gov. Mifflin: Howland 1-10, Huber 1-2.
Manheim Central: Enterline 5-105, Hess 3-19, Sipel 3-15.
INTERCEPTIONS
Gov. Mifflin: Hohl.
