Grove goes out in style

Crowther, the senior quarterback and defensive back, scored two rushing touchdowns in the second half that gave the Mounts a lead they never relinquished. The two scores, which gave him 18 for the season, broke the team record for touchdowns and total points in a season.

"It feels good to win in Coach Grove's final game. Coach worked his butt off all year and it's nice to give him something positive to end on," Crowther said. "My records are great; I just wish they would have resulted in more wins for the team."

The Spartans (2-5, 3-7) could not capitalize on two early possessions in the red zone, walking away with no points and a touchdown deficit. The first chance was short-circuited by a holding penalty that erased Anderson Beamer's five-yard TD run. Two plays later, quarterback Weston Martin was picked off by Josh Fritz, who returned it 84 yards for a 7-0 lead.

"Fritz was moved to a new position this year as an inside backer," Grove said. "He is not overly big, but is a tough kid and perseveres every time."

On Garden Spot's next drive, Ephrata's defense stopped the Spartans three times from inside the 9, with Fritz tipping away a pass on fourth and goal from the two to maintain the lead.

The second half was a different game for Ephrata. Garden Spot tied the game on a 52-yard run off a reverse by Sean Beahan, who made three great cuts on the way to the end zone. The score seemed to invigorate the offense and defense for the Mounts, who dominated from there.

Grove put the ball in the hands of his three senior offensive leaders, Crowther, Woody Miller and Joel Yoder. Each ran the ball at least once as the Mounts drove 79 yards.

"We started going to our basic stuff in the second half and running to Blake and the fullback and it worked," Grove said.

Crowther completed two passes on the drive, none bigger than a 17-yard strike to Curt Kolp on second-and-six after the Spartans had crowded 10 in the box to stop the run.

"This was one of those deals where Blake had the flexibility to see it and call a hot," Grove said. "The slant was there and it was on the money."

On second and seven from the 16, Crowther ran up the middle. He spun free of a tackle and sprinted past the defense, diving into the end zone for the 14-7 lead.

Ephrata added two late scores on runs by Yoder and Crowther, and Grove ended his career the same way it started against Cocalico 18 years earlier: with a win.

"I was told when I started that if I could beat Cocalico and Warwick, I would never have to leave, and I finished with more wins than losses against those schools and that makes me happy," Grove said.

Crowther finished his varsity career with five passing and rushing records, and finished his senior campaign with 1,159 rushing yards and 116 points scored.