Sunday, December 22, 2024
Text Size

Eagles defeat Mounts


Cocalico handled its business in typical fashion Friday night, running the ball and of course, scoring points.

The Eagles ran for 10 scores and got a pair of touchdown returns to defeat Ephrata 84-7 [boxscore] on what was the Mounts’ Senior Night.

Noah Palm and Brandon Brubaker combined for five scores for Cocalico. Ronald Zahm added two touchdowns, including a secondquarter interception return.

Ephrata backup quarterback Daniel Mantsevich threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Cody Mountz late in the fourth quarter.

Turning point: Four minutes after Owen Zimmerman’s 39-yard punt return made the score 21-0, Zimmerman took a handoff up the middle and fumbled.

The ball bounced up into his outstretched arms, however, and he finished off a 43-yard touchdown scamper for a 35-0 lead.

Star of the game: Eagles defensive lineman Ben Fromm was a thorn in Ephrata’s side from the outset with a tackle for loss and a pair of sacks while the game was still close.

Cocalico’s offense ably took advantage of the resulting good field position to put the game away quickly.

Key statistic: Cocalico rushed for 294 yards on just 17 carries in the first half. Fourteen different ballcarriers toted the rock for the Eagles during the game.

Quotable: “It was nice that these (young) kids got 24 minutes in the second half,” Cocalico head coach Dave Gingrich said. “They played well. I like the fact that the kids who normally are out on the field were there supporting them and coaching them. We have 43 guys and they are all important.”