Riley Rontal-led Manheim Township wins to set up showdown with Wilson
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)
By Brian Markley — LNP/Lancasteronline
MILLERSVILLE — Like a lion on the prowl, Riley Rontal surveys opposing offenses. He’s patient, waiting for his time to pounce. When it comes time to make a play, Rontal doesn’t miss.
| Final | |
| Manheim Twp. | 34 |
| Penn Manor | 13 |
Rontal led Manheim Township’s stretches coming out of the locker room for the second half. His voice could be heard all throughout Millersville’s Biemesderfer Stadium.
The Blue Streaks, who only led Penn Manor by seven at the intermission, looked uncharacteristically flat in the first half, with many self-inflicted mistakes.
They needed a spark. Rontal provided it.
“First half was a little sloppy,” said Rontal. “We had to get the engines rolling.”
That engine was firing on all cylinders in the second half as the Blue Streaks came away with a 34-13 win over Penn Manor in a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 game on Friday night.
“He’s an emotional leader,” said Township coach Mark Evans on his senior defensive back. “He does rally the guys, which is kind of cool. He was a game captain tonight and he did well.”
Rontal had two big hits in the third quarter, one coming early in that sparked Manheim Township. Rontal also scooped up a fumble to give the Blue Streaks prime field position shortly after scoring.
“We went into the locker room and just locked it down,” said Rontal. “We talked through everything, came out here and just kept it rolling.”
Kept it rolling, indeed.
Manheim Township (5-0, 8-1) won its seventh straight.
It could’ve been a tricky game for the Blue Streaks, with a regular season finale slated at Wilson — with the section title to winner — on the horizon.
But Evans said he was pleased with the way his team concentrated on Penn Manor throughout the week.
“Our kids were extremely focused,” said Evans. “We had a great week of practice. They had a lot of energy.”
Offensively, the backfield duo of the quick and shifty Marcos Fernandez and wrecking ball Taylor Veilleux were on full display.
Fernandez rushed for 242 yards amd a touchdown on 21 attempts. Veilleux, who was on clean-up duty, punched in two scores.
“Coach tells us to focus day by day,” said Rontal. “Just focus on the game we have now and just give it your all.”
Comets coach Jordan Clark threw down the gauntlet to his team after their 39-6 win over Littlestown in Week Seven.
He wanted to see just what his team was made of when it was time to play the big teams.
Penn Manor had a rock-solid first half.
The Comets (1-4, 2-7) played good defense, holding Manheim Township to just 14 points and gunslinger quarterback Jack Kenneff to 35 yards. They allowed 157 yards to the ground game, but they showed their coach resilience.
Jalen Dupree scored for Penn Manor, finding the end zone twice.
The Comets were competitive with one of the best teams in the section through the first half.
With the potential trap game laid by Penn Manor disarmed, the Blue Streaks now turn their attention to next week and Wilson.
