At this time a year ago, no one was thinking about the Cocalico Eagles. Okay, that’s really nothing more than a bad hyperbole that isn’t 100% accurate, but it’s not as if you could have found fault with those who may have given the team from Denver nothing more than just a passing glance last fall. After all, considering how they had slogged their way through a tough 3-4 record through the first seven weeks of the 2022 campaign, rest assured that the blue and white were found fighting for their postseason lives and then some heading into the final leg of the regular season. Of course, for those that know the story all too well and how it eventually culminates, rest assured that the Cocalico team that began the season compared to the team that ended it likely would not have recognized one another had they come together in a face-to-face meeting.
Granted, having the very last seat in the football version of musical chairs isn’t exactly the best way to try and make living. That said, sometimes all it takes is just a ticket to get in the door. In that regard, you best believe that the 2022 edition of Cocalico football made the most of that very opportunity during last year’s postseason run.
The #12 seed and a very unassuming 6-4 overall record. That’s what Cocalico entered the playoffs with once the calendar flipped to November. However, for those that call the District 3-5A neighborhood their home, they knew full well that this was an extremely dangerous squad was awarded a new lease on life, especially given how the Eagles had won their final three games of the regular season slate to secure that precious berth.
Once inside the District playoffs, the highlights were almost limitless.
Chief among them –save for the games in which either gold trophies and/or contests that the entire state of Pennsylvania was keenly aware of – was an absolute whitewash of unblemished #1 seed Solanco on the Mules’ home field to the tune of a 32-8 victory that somehow still wasn’t even as close as that score may lead one to believe. Oh, by the way, remember that aforementioned 3-4 record? One of those losses came at the hands of that very same Solanco team, 21-7. Not a bad way to illustrate an about face, eh? From there, the Eagles turned in their finest hour in the District title affair, an emphatic 34-14 romp over Exeter and their litany of Division 1 athletes, before eventually succumbing to the gargantuan powerhouse out Pittsburgh way known as Pine Richland in the state semifinals.
Of course, when you happen to bring back the lion’s share of the talent from one of the best teams in school history, chances are that people will now most certainly be talking about you these days. Well, if the Eagles somehow considered that one of their goals set forth during preseason camp to garner nothing but notoriety, they’ve certainly made good on that premise too.
Is it somehow possible for the current #3 seed in the 5A crop to be considered the betting favorite when it comes to perhaps going back-to-back in terms of District 3 supremacy? If it is, this is a Cocalico team in 2023 who have the means to fill out such a description on the surface. Hard to argue too when you consider that the Eagles entered Week 10 with an 8-1 overall record, all of which came in consecutive fashion, which is not for nothing by the way. Yeah, nearly going wire-to-wire is remarkable in and of itself, but when you dig deeper to see as what lies within those triumphs, being just one win away from lapping the field in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section Four play is most certainly an achievement more than deserving of being put up on a banner somewhere.
Simply put, it’s a grind every single week competing in what is arguably the best division found on this side of the state. Shoot, when you have upwards of three teams found occupying spots somewhere in the statewide rankings regardless of class at any one time, that’s hard to argue with. Even still, entering the final week of play, Cocalico found themselves a mere 48 minutes away from standing perfect against divisional foes in 2023 which included the likes of Wyomissing and Lampeter-Strasburg to name just a very select few. And while they don’t reside in the same section anymore, at least not this season mind you, good luck trying to convince anyone in this town that their dominating 48-28 win over longtime rival Manheim Central wasn’t the most enjoyable experience yet to date this season.
That said, even with a first-round bye in the upcoming playoffs all but etched into stone, the Eagles’ glitzy resume would have taken a significant dip provided they were sunk on a beautiful Friday night in Robesonia.
In keeping with the nautical theme, their opposition on this late October evening, Conrad Weiser, seemed to find themselves operating amongst choppy waters for most of this season. Granted, while the Scouts’ 2-7 overall record wasn’t what anyone in their camp had been hoping for coming into the year, that pair of wins also came inside this gauntlet of a division as they were able to top the likes of Octorara and Donegal respectively. And while it’s admittedly been a bit of an arduous move thus far into the Lancaster-Lebanon/Berks merger that went into effect last season, those with a keen sense of historical data and football knowledge recognize that this is a program more than capable of returning to its familiar, winning ways sooner rather than later. In fact, save for the likes of Governor Mifflin, Wilson and Wyomissing as programs that readily come to mind without much in the way of thought, you might be able to make an argument that Weiser has been one of Berks’ most productive and stable high school football programs located inside of the county limits. And hey, what better way to get a bigger jump than upsetting a state-ranked team sailing right along before trying to right their own ship heading into what figures to be a pivotal offseason as the Scouts look to snap out of these pesky last two sub .500 seasons?
However, even despite taking more than a few undersea missiles fired against them on this night, Cocalico would indeed be able to stay above water albeit while having to work against a sensational effort put forth by Conrad Weiser in their final curtain call.
In many ways, perhaps it should have been rather evident that a hard-fought game figured to be afoot right from the outset. Easy to reconcile that notion seeing as how even despite Cocalico’s opening offensive series of the night contained its share of high points –most notably by a 15-yard carry thanks to the legs of sophomore running back Dane Horning who was able to move the sticks on a 3rd & 7 play – the Eagles’ early mojo would promptly end soon afterwards on a rare Cocalico pass attempt. Actually, “attempt” might not even be the correct terminology to use seeing as how Conrad Weiser’s Eugene Booth was able to come off the edge, cause a fumble, before falling on the loose pill himself as the Scouts’ promising 6’0 250lb sophomore defensive end came away with the game’s first theft.
So, by this point, it would seem as if all the momentum would now be in Weiser’s favor, yes? Well, not exactly.
Sure, while it wasn’t as if the Scouts would mimic the same script as their opposition in turning the ball over on their initial offensive possession, a quick three-and-out nonetheless would be the last time the Scouts would enjoy playing with possession in the opening frame. No, seriously.
After already have gobbled up a shade over three minutes of game time their first foray with the football on Friday night, Cocalico proceeded to take over at their own 11-yard line with 7:19 left in the opening stanza and immediately went into a selfish mood. That said, while you never want to take points off the scoreboard –such as the case when Aaryn Longenecker’s 72-yard touchdown gallop down the Eagles’ sideline was nullified by an ill-timed holding call – it wasn’t exactly the worst thing in the world as time would show.
Instead of a lightning-fast offensive series, the Eagles began doing what they do best –imposing their will on the offensive line of scrimmage while lulling you asleep with their patented veer option attack. And with it, buoyed by litany of rushes from the likes of Longenecker, Horning, and quarterback Josh Myer to name a few, the Eagles were able to methodically plot their way down the field on this particular series, thanks in no small part to three successful third down conversion attempts along the way.
Now sure, while the first quarter horn would eventually sound with nothing have taken place as far as the scoreboard was concerned with the 0-0 stalemate, it was an opening dozen minutes that was without question dominated by the white-clad guests. If you need proof of that, just consider the fact that they had allowed their hosts just 1:27 worth of first quarter possession.
From there, with the bulk of the legwork having been compiled during this long, powerful advance, the second quarter would bear the fruit of the Eagles’ collective labor as a 3-yard Josh Myer quarterback keeper was good for the opening touchdown of the contest with Cocalico jumping out to the 7-0 advantage following senior placekicker, Todd Becker, booting the ball through the uprights with 11:28 left to play in the opening half.
Suffice to say, while it certainly wasn’t time to panic or anything like that, the Conrad Weiser sideline understandably had to feel as if this was a pivotal drive put forth right in front of them here. After all, based on their most recent experience, who was to say if they would even touch the ball any more inside the second quarter no less? Fortunately, as far as those who assembled on campus with their navy-colored script “Scouts” gear on this night, their team wouldn’t let them down.
While he may not receive a ton of attention seeing as how the Lancaster-Lebanon boasts a bevy of stat-stuffing ball carriers, Conrad Weiser’s Sevon Parham at the very least deserves to have a part in the conversation. Statistics on the season put to the side for a moment, the Scouts’ feature back was able to show off his ability in toting the rock on just the first few plays of this series in plain view as Parham proceeded to usher his troops forward with a pair of long gainers on the ground to this series kick-started.
Yet even when the Scouts were met with resistance, their fearlessness was display here too.
Case in point, with Weiser staring down the barrel of a 4th & 3 attempt at the Cocalico 35-yard line, a magnificent scramble out of danger by way of Weiser junior quarterback, Donovan Gingrich, was good enough for the hosts to receive a fresh set of downs from which to work with. As it turned out though, they wouldn’t need any more than the very next one as Gingrich proceeded to loft a gorgeous ball into the night sky towards the waiting arms of fellow junior, Evan Rittle, as the Weiser wideout was able to win his one-on-one matchup in the corner of the endzone to not only get the Scouts on the board with a quick rebuttal, but they would find themselves back on level footing officially following Alex Malone’s PAT afterwards as the score remained deadlocked once again at 7-7 with 6:35 left in the half.
Now make no mistake about it. While Conrad Weiser had certainly brought the fight to Cocalico and had come out swinging in this their season finale, the Eagles certainly didn’t do themselves any additional favors in the penalty department. So much so in fact that they seemed to never really garner any tangible momentum throughout the first half. Case in point, while they would pick up a first down on a 3rd & 10 play, a yellow flag innocently laying on the field to indicate a holding penalty brought everything back. Later, when Dane Horning was able to burst off a long run deep inside Weiser territory, a chop block threw the party into reverse. In a lot of ways, it seemed as if Cocalico had operated in the opening 24 minutes by taking two steps forward, but one step back as evidenced by their eight penalties accrued during the first half of this one. As a result, Weiser played the role of the proverbial fox hanging around the chicken coop with the assistance.
Still, as good teams do –and Cocalico certainly fits that description despite how much it may have appeared as if they were found sputtering — leaving the door open just a crack is sometimes just enough for them to come barging through. That would be a lesson Conrad Weiser would learn firsthand in the waning stages of the second quarter on Friday night.
After being held to an extremely brief offensive series that did not erase even 30 seconds off the clock inside of the final minute of the second quarter, a short Scouts’ punt at the conclusion of said series allowed Cocalico to set up shop at the Weiser 35-yard line with just 32 seconds left to go. And with Horning doing his part to help set the table with a 6-yard plunge to get things going which preceded a one-handed snag of a reception by Aaryn Longenecker which propelled the Eagles’ advance down to the Weiser 6-yard line following the 23-yard run after catch, the Scouts’ defense would stiffen over the ensuing few plays, effectively negating Cocalico from putting forth what could have been a lethal touchdown just before the first half expired. Regardless, in a game that suddenly felt as if points would be at a premium, a 22-yard field goal knocked home by Todd Becker on the final play of the half helped to send the visitors into the locker room with the slim 10-7 cushion.
Would it be hyperbolic to say that Conrad Weiser’s initial offensive drive coming out of the locker room was their most important series of the season? You could make the argument I suppose seeing as how this was their final showing with an excellent opportunity to send shockwaves around the entire commonwealth should they be able to snag this upset. Well, exaggerated cliché or not, Weiser wouldn’t disappoint coming out of the halftime recess.
While it was evident to even the naked eye that Cocalico’s sideline was fired up to put it mildly once the second half got underway, that fire would ever so surely be contained bit by bit. Of course, when you can put chunk plays on the table, that certainly doesn’t hurt matters. In that respect, a 15-yard Sevon Parham run on the first offensive play from scrimmage, a 15-yard screen play from Donovan Gingrich to Evan Rittle not long afterwards, and a 14-yard run by the aforementioned Parham right behind it got Weiser into a groove with the hosts now finding themselves right on the midfield stripe. Then, following another Gingrich to Rittle bubble screen which took Weiser all the way down to the Eagles’ 11-yard line, it was understandable if those on the far side of the field were found sweating bullets. But that metaphorical heat levied against them didn’t cool down in the least just two plays later once Gingrich was able to extend the play while moving the pocket out to his left before firing back across the middle and finding junior running back, Brody Morgan, for the 9-yard touchdown toss as the Alex Malone PAT added on top surely raised eyebrows around the local landscape seeing as how Weiser found themselves with ownership of the 14-10 lead over Cocalico with 8:22 to play in the third.
Undeterred. In a word, that was the most apropos way to describe Cocalico’s ensuing offensive series.
In fact, it took the Eagles not even two minutes to punch right back. And while the initial stages of this drive may have looked rather tame at times, such as the case when Josh Myer called his own number on a 3rd & 3 play and got just enough to make the line to gain, a 50-yard bolt of lightning touchdown run tallied by Dane Horning on the very next play promptly gave the guests a score they sorely needed at that particular juncture to make it a 17-14 lead back in their favor following another successful Becker PAT with 6:25 now left to play in the frame.
Speaking of undeterred, it appeared for all the world that Conrad Weiser was seen stealing from out of the same dictionary on the Scouts’ ensuing offensive series following the Horning go-ahead score.
Here again, ignited by an early 19-yard scamper through the heart of the Cocalico defense by way of Sevon Parham, a successful third down conversion by Parham on a 3rd & 1 play following a Cocalico offsides penalty not long afterwards moved the ball into Eagles’ territory at the 43-yard line.
Now, while not every game may have it so cleared defined, there are sometimes those plays above all others that unequivocally tilt momentum in one team’s favor. Game-changing plays if you will. Well, this game on Friday night had one such example.
Needless to say, Conrad Weiser was clearly in the midst of winding up to land a haymaker against Cocalico in attempt to steal the lead right back right then and there. That was of course until Dane Bollinger had anything to say about it though.
With his team looking for some sort of resistance to offer up defensively, the Eagles’ junior defensive back took matters into his own hands quite literally as Bollinger was able to track down what seemed to be a harmless “throw away” ball along the sidelines and getting not even two feet, more like ten toenails down inside the field of play to be more accurate, to secure the theft in Cocalico’s favor for a turnover that seemed to take all the air out of the greater Robesonia area limits. And while the third quarter would later expire with the Eagles continuing to hold serve by virtue of that 17-14 cushion, the initial stages of Cocalico’s drive following Bollinger’s interception saw the visitors beginning to lean on their opposition in hopes of coming up with what might be considered a dagger of a score to put things out of reach.
So, with the Cocalico run game coming up with hard to swallow bites time after time, it seemed fitting that it took all of ten seconds inside the fourth quarter for the Eagles to force-feed another score, this one with Dane Horning having the honors once more in the form of an 11-yard touchdown run, upping the count to a 24-14 difference with 11:50 left to play.
Again, backs pushed firmly up against the wall, the time was now for Conrad Weiser to conjure up some sort of retaliation to stay within the fight.
Quite honestly, just as they had been able to do at most every turn when called upon all night long, the Scouts seemed no worse for the wear here either. Case in point, a Donovan Gingrich 32-yard touchdown gallop on a 3rd & 7 play which kept the home team right in the thick of it….Until a piece of yellow cloth strewn on the pitch wiped the whole thing out as yet another bitter pill of which Weiser was asked to swallow, this one in the form of a holding penalty, put the Scouts’ drive in neutral. From there, neutral begat reverse as Horning took his turn showing off his exploits defensively as the two-way Eagle registered himself a sack to add to his stellar night of work to push Weiser even further backward. And while a nicely executed screen from Gingrich to Dylan Parr wasn’t enough to move the chains on a 3rd & 10 play at the Eagles’ 15, it did appear to make it a much more manageable field goal attempt with Weiser needing to tally points of any variety to try and extend the game. Unfortunately, as far as the home patrons were concerned, a drive that initially had the earmarks of whittling the game down to a three-point margin ended with nothing whatsoever as a field goal attempt was blocked by the Cocalico special teams unit, giving the ball back to the Eagles with the chance to bleed every more precious time off the clock.
Not so.
For the specifics, it would be a Cocalico three-and-out following Weiser’s missed field goal try. Doing the punctuation, you ask? None other than Javien Rivera, another member of the Scouts’ talented underclassmen group, as the sophomore defensive back was able to come free and earn himself a sack which sent the Eagles’ punt team onto the field.
But while Conrad Weiser would certainly have to find points right here considering how it was getting late quickly on them so to speak, a stonewalled 4th & 2 attempt at the Cocalico 35-yard line by the Eagles’ D would end the final Scouts’ threat on the evening as Cocalico was able to not only wipe the sweat beads off their collective brows from there on out, but they were also able to formally enjoy the collective fruits of their labor put forth during the regular season campaign as their 24-14 victory at nearby Conrad Weiser on Friday night would put the finishing touches on a perfect 7-0 journey through Section Four this season following a very game effort put forth from a utterly determined bunch of Scouts to cap it off.
NEXT UP: Now, Cocalico awaits their fate from a two-fold perspective. First, the Eagles will have to sit by and await to see what the final calculator spits out for them as far as their seed line in the upcoming District 3-5A tournament field is concerned. But regardless of whatever the number is placed next to their name, they will be on a bye week next week given how teams slotted #5 and below are tasked with suiting up against next week for the opening round of said playoffs. And while most will scoff at the notion of taking a respite while being in the groove of a season that has spanned the last 12 weeks now when you factor in preseason camps and the like, this week may end up being a blessing in disguise for the Eagles provided they take advantage of it. Rest assured, there are certainly plenty of loose ends to tie up as evidenced in their game against Weiser. Simply put, while it isn’t as if whatever pesky issues may have bubbled up to plague Cocalico this week couldn’t possibly be remedied if they had to turn around play next weekend, having the opportunity to work out the kinks without the threat of going home with one bad performance you’d have to figure would be the most desirable option.
For Conrad Weiser, while the 2023 train stopped here on Friday night with a 2-8 overall record once the dust had settled, it was a team that at least on this night, whether you call it cliché or not, had all the earmarks of a team that looked far better than a two-win crew. Yes, while the wins have been in short supply here in particular over the last few seasons, don’t surprised if those end up being the exception and not the norm moving forward. Want proof? How about the fact that literally all the Scouts’ 14 points on Friday were tallied by individuals who will return to don the navy-blue again next fall? And if you’re looking for more “meat and potatoes” aside from facts and figures, how about the fact that almost all of Weiser’s splash plays defensively were tallied by underclassmen there too, including more than a few by members of the sophomore class? Sure, while Conrad Weiser may not come into the 2024 season without a ton of fanfare, the Scouts are an incredibly young and talented group who took their turn gaining experience under the glare of the Friday night lights this year. After all, Weiser need only look at their opposition on this night for an example as to just how much a team’s narrative can change for the better over the course of just one year’s time.
