Solanco outpoints Ephrata
- 18 October 2008
Needing a win to spark a late-season playoff run, Solanco (4-4, 2-3) used an efficient ground game and big pass plays to outscore Ephrata (0-8, 0-4) 48-28 [boxscore] on homecoming night in Quarryville.B.J. Enck scored the last of his three touchdowns late in the fourth quarter on a 25-yard touchdown run to provide the final margin and finally put the feisty Mountaineers away.
The Golden Mules opened the second half with a bang. On the team's third play, quarterback Ben Miller lofted a perfect pass down the middle of the field to a streaking Brock Snider who outran two Ephrata defensive backs to complete the 58-yard scoring play.
Solanco kept the pedal to the metal and ensured the momentum would stay in its favor by successfully converting an onsides kick. Their offense would swiftly move the ball into the red zone. From 12 yards out, Enck caught a quick pass in the flat and sprinted to the corner of the end zone to put the Mules ahead 33-14.
The Solanco defense made sure Ephrata would not get back into the game when Dexter Jennings intercepted a pass by Lance Kopp inside the Solanco 15-yard line.
The Ephrata defense answered, however, with a score of its own when Zach Hoffman returned an interception 13 yards for a touchdown to cut the score to 33-21.
Miller connected with Enck for a second scoring strike from 8 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter to push Solanco's lead to 41-21.
Solanco averted Ephrata's upset bid with a spectacular five-minute drive at the end of the first half. After Snider's 62-yard run was negated by a personal foul penalty, the Mules went to work, methodically moving the ball down field. Two plays after the penalty, Snider reeled off a 26-yard run and Miller converted a third-and-8 with a 9-yard run. Tyler Elvey capped off the scoring drive with a 5-yard run on third and goal.
The Mountaineers put together a valiant first-half effort, using some timely turnovers and two big offensive plays to keep the game tight for 30 minutes.
The first big play came on a 65-yard halfback pass from running back George Murray to wide receiver Justin Richardson to counter Solanco's initial score.
The Mounts' defense kept the score close by forcing a fumble deep in its own territory and with Andrew Kujawski's interception near their own 10-yard line.
Even as Solanco took the lead on Snider's 46-yard screen pass from Miller, Ephrata continued to fight.
On the ensuing drive, Murray busted through a narrow hole on third and one and sprinted to daylight, rambling to the end zone for a 56-yard touchdown run.
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