Manheim Central tops Cocalico, 35-19

(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)

By Matt Pawlikowski — LNP/Lancasteronline

If you like monster hits, this football game had them on nearly every play.

Big plays? They were part of it, too, like Bodie Siple’s 42-yard reception from Zac Hahn (13-for-23 for 281 yards passing and four TDs) for a late score.

It had pretty much everything you would want in a rivalry game, and did we mention nearly 800 yards of offense?

But it was a defensive stop on a two-point conversion by the Barons of Manheim Central that changed the whole tone of the game in a 35-19 win over Cocalico that moved the Barons to 3-0.

“Manheim Central and Cocalico, it’s a rivalry because we bring the best out of each other,” said Barons coach Dave Hahn. “We want to dominate each other, and that is what both teams were trying to do out there tonight.”

The Eagles (1-2) took the lead on Braden Eppinette’s 41-yard score with 2:56 left in the first. No problem for the Barons as they steamrolled right back, with Rocco Daugherty pulling a Hahn pass in for a 6-yard score.

Not to be outdone, Cocalico showed its mettle and racing right back. Aaryn Longenecker (11-115) made some sweet moves en route to a 28-yard score, but the PAT was no good, and with 18 seconds left in the first quarter, the Eagles held a slim 13-7 lead.

The Barons would take the lead after an Eagle miscue. With 5:29 left until the half, Brycen Armold (30-156) rambled in from 22 yards out to knot things up. Abbie Reed hit the PAT, and the momentum suddenly changed. Hahn found Aaron Enterline for a 41-yard score with 1:29 left in the second, and at the half, it was 21-13.