Solanco remains unbeaten with win at Daniel Boone

(This story will be updated later tonight with additional details and postgame reaction.)

By Matt Gaffney — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent

Solanco remained undefeated and in first place in Section 3 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League with a 49-21 win over Daniel Boone Friday night at Brazinksy Field in Birdsboro.

It’s the program’s first 8-0 start since 2015.

The Golden Mules (4-0, 8-0) were led by the skilled senior quartet of Cole Harris, Josiah Forren, Brody Mellinger and Noah Baber.

Harris rumbled for 135 yards and a touchdown and Forren ran for 133 yards and a score and also threw for a TD. Mellinger chipped in 80 yards rushing and two touchdowns and Bader contributed a touchdown reception, seven PATS, and two interceptions.

The Blazers are still looking for their first Lancaster-Lebanon League win as they lost their fifth straight (0-4, 1-6).

Solanco wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Landon Steele blocked a punt, scooped and scored to give the Golden Mules a 7-0 lead following Noah Baber’s successful PAT just one minute into the game.

After forcing another Blazers punt, Solanco put together a tidy six-play, 65-yard drive that was set up by a 61-yard Mellinger run. Harris banged it in from 2 yards out to increase the lead to 14-0.

The Blazers had no plans to roll over on their Homecoming and Hall of Fame induction night. They cut the lead to 14-7 when quarterback Dean Rotter scored from 16 yards out following a seven-play, 68-yard drive. The score came after Rotter hit Max Heffner on the preceding play for a 35-yard pickup on fourth down to keep the drive alive.

While the touchdown gave the Blazers life, Solanco regained momentum with a little trickery early in the second quarter. Facing fourth-and-12 deep in Blazers territory, the Golden Mules caught Boone off-guard when Forren took a pitch from Mellinger and pulled up to throw a 14-yard strike to Baber for a score and a 21-7 lead.

Rotter, a dual threat all game, got Boone right back in it one minute later with a 75-yard TD scamper, but Solanco responded with a 35-yard Forren touchdown run and a pick six by Carter Smith to make it 35-14 at halftime.

The Golden Mules’ option rushing attack had the Blazers on their heels all night. Solanco continued to pound the rock with Harris in the second half as he gashed the middle of the Blazers’ defense time and time again. Despite recovering five Solanco fumbles, the Blazers couldn’t mount the comeback.

Rotter finished with 116 yards rushing and two touchdowns and 195 passing yards and a touchdown on a 67-yard bomb to sophomore Chase Domenech.

Solanco will try to improve to 9-0 next week when its hosts Fleetwood; Daniel Boone hopes to snap its losing streak at home against Twin Valley in Week 9.