Mason Rotelli throws three TDs, runs for another in Exeter rout of Warwick
By Mike Mitchell Jr. — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Mason Rotelli completed all nine of his passes, threw three touchdowns and ran for a TD and a two-point conversion to lead unbeaten Exeter to a commanding 47-7 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 victory over Warwick Friday night at Don Thomas Stadium in Reifton.
The Eagles (3-0, 6-0), ranked No. 3 in the state in Class 5A, dominated Warwick (1-2, 2-4) from the start. Rotelli scored his first touchdown on a 74-yard run on the second play from scrimmage.
“This was a statement game for us tonight,” said Rotelli. “We had this one circled on the calendar before the season started. We had a great week of practice and prepared real hard. The line, as always, did a great job tonight and our receivers ran great routes. It makes my job as quarterback very easy.”
“Mason gave us momentum right from the start with that huge touchdown run on the second play of the game,” said Exeter coach Matt Bauer. “He continues to get better each week, and he took a giant step forward tonight.”
Later in the first quarter Exeter’s Lucas Palange picked off a Jack Reed pass that was tipped at the line of scrimmage and he returned it 35 yards for a touchdown.
Palange, along with Kyle Lash, had several punishing tackles to spearhead a very strong defensive performance by the Eagles.
“Coming into tonight we knew we would have to be sharp,” said senior Richie Karstien. “Warwick has a strong tradition. We were looking forward to this game all year. We had a great week of practice.”
The final statistics do not tell the story of how dominant the Eagles were defensively.
Warwick gained 38 yards with under a minute to go in the first half while Exeter was in a prevent defense. The Warriors gained 40 yards on the last drive of the game against Exeter’s second team. For the balance of the game the Eagles held the typically potent Warwick offense to 133 yards of total offense.
“We eliminated a lot of mistakes and played a clean game tonight,” said Bauer. “We beat a very good football team. Their quarterback is outstanding and our front seven pressured him all night, and our secondary did a great job of covering their backs and receivers.”
On Exeter’s next possession, Karstien accounted for 53 of the 67 yards on the five-play scoring drive to put the Eagles ahead 21-0.
Karstien (12 carries for 136 yards) hit the holes with an explosive velocity level a step up from his usual hard, blue-collar, running style.
“Richie is a blue-collar back,” said Bauer. “He is a true pleasure to watch run. He was explosive tonight and he continues to get better each week. He works hard.”
On the Eagles’ next possession, Penn State commit Joey Schlaffer (four catches for 72 yards) continued his fine play by catching a 53-yard touchdown pass from Rotelli to put the Eagles up 28-0.
After a Nigel Meekins interception the Eagles went 47 yards in five plays, with Zach Zandier (three catches for 34 yards) going the final 15 yards on a pass from Rotelli to make it 35-0.
Rotelli wasn’t finished. With one minute left in the first half he connected with sophomore running back Carter Redding on a 30-yard touchdown to make it 41-0 at the half.
Karstien capped the Exeter scoring with a 7-yard blast midway through the fourth quarter.
Exeter continues to improve each week.
“It’s accountability,” said Karstien. “We keep getting better because everyone holds everyone else accountable. Our coaches preach teamwork and accountability. We practice hard.
“Our scout team practices tremendously hard to give us a strong look. As seniors we go on the scout team at times to give the first team a good look.”
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Warwick | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Exeter | 21 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 47 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Exeter | Rotelli, 76 run (Skipper kick) | 11:10 |
| 1 | Exeter | Palange, 35 interception return (kick failed) | 7:40 |
| 1 | Exeter | Karstein, 14 run (Rotelli run) | 3:34 |
| 2 | Exeter | Schlaffer, 53 pass from Rotelli (Skipper kick) | 11:50 |
| 2 | Exeter | Zandier, 15 pass from Rotelli (Skipper kick)) | 5:19 |
| 2 | Exeter | Redding,30 pass from Rotelli (run failed) | 1:00 |
| 3 | Exeter | Karstein, 7 run (kick failed) | 6:57 |
| 4 | Warwick | Winter, 2 run (Jerchau kick) | 5:46 |
Team statistics
| Warwick | Exeter | |
| First downs | 12 | 11 |
| Rushes-yards | 20-80 | 26-233 |
| Passing yards | 131 | 134 |
| Total yards | 211 | 367 |
| Passes | 21-35-2 | 9-9-0 |
| Fumbles-lost | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Punts-average | 4-28 | 2-29 |
| Penalties-yards | 6-40 | 7-50 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Warwick: Sanchez 4-36, McClure 4-32, Winters 7-16, Reed 5- (-4).
Exeter: Karstein 12-136, Rotelli 4-74, Paschall 4-40, Miller 1-2, Martinez 1-2, Team 1-(-2), Caceres 3-(-19).
PASSING
Warwick: Reed 21-35-2-131.
Exeter: Rotelli 9-9-0-134.
RECEIVING
Warwick: Snyder 6-40, Loraw 3-23, Jeans 3-8, Winters 3-7, Christophel 2-29, Evans 2-9, Cedeno 1-9, Mc Clure 1-6.
Exeter: Schlaffer 4-72, Zandier 3-34, Redding 1-30, Choy 1- (-2).
INTERCEPTIONS
Exeter: Palange, Meekins.