One statistic sums up the Ephrata-Lampeter-Strasburg matchup: The Pioneers (3-2) had piled on 27 points before Ephrata (0-5) tallied its initial first down, setting the tone for a 34-0 [box score] victory.

 

L-S dominated both sides of the lines of scrimmage all night. On the offensive side of the ball, the line opened gaping holes for running backs Dan Lind and Ross Souders. Defensively, the Pioneers spent the entire evening in the Ephrata backfield, disrupting one running play after another.

 

"We have not been playing good run defense, but we really got after it tonight," L-S coach John Manion said.

 

L-S took over from the opening kickoff, driving 70 yards on eight plays. Souders sparked the drive with a 29-yard run on the game's first play from scrimmage. Quarterback Collin Shank finished the drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Reese Nelle.

 

After thwarting Ephrata's offense for no yards on its first drive, the Pioneer special teams got involved in a big way. Kevin Souders broke two tackles and outraced a number of would-be tacklers on a 40-yard punt return.

 

A few minutes later, L-S kicker Matt Wright began his impressive night with a 32-yard field goal. Wright also kicked a 37-yard field goal and routinely booted balls into the end zone on kickoffs.

 

L-S went ahead 17-0 on a 6-yard touchdown run by Ross Souders.

 

The Pioneers then extended their lead on a fine play by Shank. Facing third-and-long at the Ephrata 23, Shank narrowly avoided a sack, escaped the grip of a defensive lineman and fired a touchdown pass to Jason Sindorf right down the middle of the field.

 

Shank provided one more big play in the second half, finding Austin Landis for a touchdown on a long post pattern.

 

"We really did a nice job mixing up the pass and run," Manion said. "We just need to keep getting better in all phases of the game."

 

The Ephrata defense did have a shining moment of its own. L-S had a first-and-goal at the 1, but the Mountaineer defense held tough for two straight plays before recovering a fumble on third down.