Sophomore Dean Rotter comes through as Blazers earn first win

Rob Flowers calls Dean Rotter a student of the game.

He’s a quick-learner, too.

One week after being thrust into the starting quarterback’s role the sophomore threw for 256 yards and four touchdowns as Daniel Boone beat Garden Spot 45-17 Friday in non-league play at New Holland.

The 5-11, 162-pound Rotter had never played in a varsity game before the Blazers’ season-opener, when starting quarterback Carter Speyerer was lost for the season with an ankle injury on the second series.

Rotter got his first start in a 19-10 Week 2 loss at Twin Valley but completed just three passes.

Things picked up Friday when he threw for 245 yards and three TDs in the first half, leading the Blazers (1-2) to a 38-10 halftime edge.

Despite the devastating news about Speyerer, Flowers was upbeat about Rotter taking over.

“Dean Rotter’s the best No. 2 we’ve ever coached, just because he’s a student of the game,” Flowers told MikeDragoSports.com following the season-opener. “And he cares about being a student of the game. That’s going to help him be calm and be successful within our football program.”

Rotter threw a pair of TD passes to Cam Hirshman, of 65 and 64 yards, a 29-yard TD to Draven Klick and a 17-yard scoring pass to Alex Vassallo.

Vasallo, Berks’ leading receiver as a junior, finished with nine receptions for 98 yards.

Quarterback Tristin Sadowski had a big game for the Spartans (0-3), completing 18-of-28 for 212 yards and two TDs.

Nate Millard kicked a 46-yard field goal for the Blazers, matching the program record. Drew Kresge hit from that distance against Conrad Weiser ins 2015.