Was win over Manheim Central the biggest ever for the Exeter Eagles?
Matt Bauer didn’t take a moment Friday to glance at the scoreboard and think about what was going on as his Exeter football team laying the wood to Manheim Central in historic fashion.
The Eagles scored on five of their first six possessions to build a 36-point halftime lead on the Barons’ home turf.
The Barons rarely lose at home — or at all. They’ve won more District 3 playoff games and more titles than any other program. They almost never get mercy-ruled, especially in the postseason, a time of year they seemingly own.
“It really didn’t sink in too much,” said Bauer of the early lead. “I just wanted to make sure we didn’t let down in the second half.”
The second-seeded Barons tacked on three late scores but never threatened the Eagles, who won the District 3 Class 5A quarterfinal 43-26.
It ranks among the best victories in the program’s 64-year history.
“I tell our kids all the time: The reason you work all year around is to play your best football in November,” Bauer said, “and we’re starting to do that.”
The seventh-seeded Eagles (8-3) can make more history this week with a win at Cedar Cliff in the semifinals. Exeter has never won three times in the same postseason. And it has never played for a district championship. That is all within reach now.
Exeter was one of five Berks teams to advance in district play.
Wilson pulled off a huge win in Class 6A, taking down top-seeded and unbeaten Central York in a semifinal, 14-11. The fifth-seeded Bulldogs (9-3) play for the championship Saturday at 1 against second-seeded Harrisburg (11-1).
Gov. Mifflin, the top seed in 5A, continued to thrash its opponents, crushing Warwick 63-26 in a quarterfinal that saw Nick Singleton reach the end zone a record seven times. The Mustangs (9-0) host fourth-seeded Spring Grove (10-1) in the semifinals Friday at 7.
Berks Catholic (7-4) will play top-seeded Bishop McDevitt (9-1) in a Class 4A semifinal Friday at 7 in Harrisburg. The fourth-seeded Saints advanced with a 21-7 win over Cocalico.
Wyomissing (12-0) goes for its third straight Class 3A championship Saturday at the A-Field at 1 against second-seeded Boiling Springs (11-1); the Bubblers eliminated Hamburg 35-7 Friday. The Spartans advanced with a 14-0 win over Middletown.
The Eagles scored perhaps the most eye-catching victory of the weekend — not because they won but because of the manner in which they did it. They led 36-0 at halftime and became the first team to mercy-rule Manheim Central in the playoffs in eight years.
Eric Nangle scored three first-quarter touchdowns en route to 233 rushing yards.
“Everything clicked,” Bauer said. “The biggest thing is, we controlled the line of scrimmage. That was evident right from the jump. We caught the momentum early and kept putting it on ’em, and capitalizing.”
Bauer has called his offensive line — center Kyle Helm, guards Lucas Palange and Kyle Lash and tackles Anthony Caccese and Sam Orzolek — the heart and soul of the team all season, and it was again Friday in one of the program’s greatest victories.
So, that begs the question: Was this the biggest win in Exeter football history? And what else is on the short list?
Here are a few others to consider:
- Daniel Boone, 1967: The Eagles beat the rival Blazers 7-6 in in the season finale to complete a 9-0 season and win their first Inter-County League championship. It comes in their 10th season, and ninth under head coach Don Thomas. The Blazers were 6-1 in league play entering the game and would have tied for the league title with a win.
- Daniel Boone, 1970: Similar scenario, except that the Eagles and Blazers meet in Week 8 (of a nine-week season). The Eagles win 32-18, then close out the perfect season the following week against Schuylkill Valley. It’s the second perfect season in four years for Don Thomas and the Eagles.
- Central York, 2013: After four straight opening-round losses the 12th-seeded Eagles break through with their first district victory, beating the No. 5 Panthers 41-24 in York. Chase Yocum rushed for 110 yards and threw for 212 yards and two TDs.
- Gov. Mifflin, 2015: The Eagles end years of frustration and snap a nine-game losing streak in the series by beating the Mustangs 35-21 in Week 9 to position themselves for the Section 1 title — their first league championship in 18 years. They trail 14-0 in the first quarter before Michal Menet ignites the comeback with a blocked punt.
- Shippensburg, 2019: Sean Henry kicks three field goals and Alex Javier intercepts a pair of passes as the Eagles hold the unbeaten Greyhounds scoreless in the second half en route to a 16-14 victory in a district quarterfinal. It marks the first time in program history they win back-to-back district games.
- Wilson, 2021: The Eagles had never beat the Bulldogs, and they fell behind 14-0 before a huge turnaround that saw them score six unanswered touchdowns for a 42-14 win. Eric Nangle ran for 209 yards and three TDs and Colin Payne threw a pair of scoring passes to Joey Schlaffer.
