The Barons have outscored their last two opponents 105-0 on the gridiron.
No, Conestoga Valley and Elizabethtown are no longer football power houses, like the grand ole days of the 1980s, but still, that's an impressive number. And it really isn't as much about the offense, as it is Central's defense that keyed the last two victories.
Manheim captured two fumbles, intercepted a pair of passes, and held the Bears to a mere 47 yards rushing and 91 through the air in a 42-0 shutout.
Rocco Daugherty was a beast on defense with 11 tackles, and a recovered fumble. Jaden Weit had three tackles and a half sack. Kahlen Watt had a half sack and seven tackles. Mason Weaver collected an interception. Nick Hass chipped in nine tackles and a sack.
"(I am) very pleased with our defense, it has been doing great making plays, putting our special teams and offense in position to be successful," Barons' coach Dave Hahn said.
The Barons built a 21-0 lead after three quarters, but blew the game open in the final quarter, as quarterback Judd Novak ran 14 yards for a score and Watt returned a punt 41 yards for another score. On the ensuing kickoff, Owen Sensenig scooped up a loose ball and scrambled 20 yards for a touchdown for the final margin.
Novak connected with Sensenig for a TD from 19 yards out on the Barons' opening drive. Jaden Weit rushed for 85 yards and Daugherty added 46 yards on the ground. Both also scored in the game.
With one game to play against Cocalico, Hahn likes where is team is at mentally and physically with the postseason on the near horizon.
"Mentally, I think we are where we need to be," he said. "Physically, it's week 10 so some guys will have to play banged up, but we will continue to do what we can to help them recover during the week."
TENNIS
Gabby Wettig and Brianna Mylin earned a district berth in doubles and got to travel to Hershey Racquet Club. Unfortunately, the duo lost to Red Lion's Lexi Lakatosh and Sophie Lanius in the first round by a 6-1, 6-2 score. The Baron twosome will now prepare for the softball season in the spring where Wettig pitches and Mylin is her catcher.
GIRLS' SOCCER
The Lady Barons season ended with a 5-2 loss at Northern York, the No.5 seed, last Tuesday in the District Three Class 3A tournament.
Abbie Reed gave the Barons the lead three minutes into the game. Then Central, the No. 12 seed, gave up two goals before weather delay of more than an hour. Head coach Andrew Stoltzfus said the field was in awful shape prior to the rain and even worse after. It should never have been used for a district playoff game. Nevertheless, the Barons pushed really hard in the end, he said.
This ends the season and a wonderful run for this senior class at Manheim. Overall, these seniors went 56-23-1. The leading scorers this year were Hannah Adair with 22 goals, Abbie Reed with 14 and Summer Bates with five. Katie White and Kaylee Neff each had three. Bates chipped in 13 assists and Adair and Reed each set up seven goals. White had four assists.
Adair and Bates were First-Team section all-stars. Reed was Second-Team. Adair was All-League.
"The senior class has been part of some of the best teams in program history," Stoltzfus said. "Two district titles and two section titles as well as played in the league final. Two state playoff berths, including making it to the state quarterfinals. They were 12-1 in district playoff games."
Lillie Horst, the starting keeper for much of the season, graduates. She had some big games and saves, Stoltzfus said, pointing out the 3-1 win against Palmyra, the 2-1 double overtime loss to Ephrata and 2-1 win against Lampeter-Strasburg.
Stoltzfus said the team is losing a good group of players, including the starting goalie, two outside fullbacks, attacking midfield, top scorer and three other good team-first utility players.
"It is hard to imagine our team without those players next year," he said, "but we also have a lot of great returning players that are going to make next year another exciting one for our program."
Central will return three center backs and Noelle Rohrer stepped up to cover at outside back when Grace Cassell was out for a few games and did well learning the new position. Stoltzfus said White, a freshman, did a great job learning her role in the midfield.
There are several attackers back, including Reed, Neff, Lizzie Voegele Katelyn Sharp and Ashtyn and Laura Kahler. Abby Sweeney, a freshman who was slated to be a varsity player before an injury ended her season in the preseason, will return.
Stoltzfus is excited about the incoming freshman class and two freshman goalies this year that are ready to take over the starting spot.
BOYS' SOCCER
Manheim, the No. 8 seed, hosted the first round of the District Three Class 3A tournament and earned a 4-1 victory over West Perry, the No. 9 seed. Gabe Redcay opened the scoring in the 12th minute while Connor Caterbone's hat trick helped extend the Barons' season.
Central will play Hershey, the No.1 seed and a 3-0 winner over Bishop McDevitt.
The Barons' goal scorers were not available at press time.
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