Pinch-hitter Jake Hafer produces 3 TDs in Exeter win over Boyertown
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
By Ferris Berlin — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
All Exeter can do now is hope starting quarterback Riley Martinez isn’t lost for an extended time, as he was last year, following its 28-10 non-league victory at Boyertown Friday night.
| Final | |
| Exeter | 28 |
| Boyertown | 10 |
Martinez, a senior with a chance to become the program’s all-time passing leader, had just completed a 46-yard pass to wide receiver Jayden Ware that set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Jackson Kozik.
On Exeter’s next possession Martinez walked to the sideline and stayed there for the remainder of the game.
“He’ll be fine,” said Exeter coach Matt Bauer. “Absolutely. We were just taking an abundance of caution. . . (by keeping him out). We aren’t going to discuss any injuries with kids, but overall, I’m very optimistic.”
Last season the Eagles lost Martinez for more than a month when he suffered a fractured fibula in his right leg during the Eagles’ Week 7 matchup with Muhlenberg.
Despite missing time last fall, Martinez finished with 1,016 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and just three interceptions.
Backup Jake Hafer, who quarterbacked the Eagles to the District 3 Class 5A championship game last year when Martinez went out, proved to be more than capable Friday. Hafer ran for two touchdowns and threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Dauble that made it 21-0 late in the second quarter.
Hafer’s passing ability proved to be good enough for the Eagles. What Hafer lacks in arm strength he makes up for it with his ability to run and complement running back Leo Brown.
Brown led all rushers with 32 carries for 154 yards. His speed and tough running style will be relied on by the Eagles moving forward, especially if Martinez is out for an extended time.
The senior running back has big shoes to fill, as All-State selection Jayden Zandier set single-season and career rushing records last year, running for 2,086 yards and 30 TDs.
“If we can control the line of scrimmage, then we’re always going to be successful,” said Bauer. “We had to change on the fly tonight, we did a good job, and the kids responded. We had a little adversity, and I’m glad to see that because it was a favorable response. It’s such a great group of kids and they’re so unselfish—they just want to win.”
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Exeter | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
| Boyertown | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Exeter | Kozik, 3 run (Franek kick) | 10:37 |
| 1 | Exeter | Hafer, 1 run (Franek kick) | 2:50 |
| 2 | Exeter | Dauble, 51 pass from Hafer (Franek kick) | 2:53 |
| 2 | Boyertown | Royce, 36 FG | 0:16 |
| 4 | Boyertown | Henley, 3 run (Royce kick) | 9:38 |
| 4 | Exeter | Hafer, 6 run (Franek kick) | 3:32 |
Team statistics
| EXETER | BOYERTOWN | |
| First downs | 16 | 13 |
| Rushes-yards | 41-207 | 26-143 |
| Passing yards | 137 | 82 |
| Total yards | 344 | 225 |
| Passes | 8-13-1 | 9-20-0 |
| Fumbles-lost | 0-0 | 2-2 |
| Punts-average | 1-43.0 | 4-35.8 |
| Penalties-yards | 8-75 | 5-40 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Exeter: Brown 30-151, Hafer 6-30, Ware 1-11, Martinez 1-9, Jackson 2-3, Kozik 1-3, .
Boyertown: Henley 12-92, Boorse 10-44, Fargnoli 2-3, Oakes 1-3, Hagan 1-1.
PASSING
Exeter: Martinez 3-5-0–58, Hafer 5-8-1–79.
Boyertown: Henley 9-20-0–82.
RECEIVING
Exeter: Dauble 2-59, Ware 4-72, Bonslaver 1-5, Kozik 1-1.
Boyertown: Martinez 2-23, Hagan 2-7, Boorse 1-28, Foskey 2-4, Houck 1-12, Koback 1-8.
INTERCEPTIONS
Boyertown: Hagan.
