After Wilson, Muhlenberg is the game the Governor Mifflin Mustangs circle on the calendar. For 11 straight years, Mifflin has prevailed over this cross town rival. After a very lackluster 1st quarter performance, Gov. Mifflin stormed back to make it 12 straight over Muhlenberg and 29 straight Berks 1 conference wins with a resounding 44-3 victory Friday night. Mifflin’s win coupled with Exeter Twp’s win over Reading High, sets up a Berks 1 de-facto title game between Governor Mifflin and Exeter Twp. next week in Shillington.
Mifflin’s balanced offensive attack was led by Eliseo Ortiz’s 3 TD’s. The Mustangs also showcased a new DSC_0366 (2)offensive threat,Senior RB Eric Dupel. Dupel who is healthy after a week one injury, led the Mustangs with 102 yards on the ground.
Governor Mifflin came out flat in quarter one. Penalties, poor special teams play, a fumbled punt and no first downs meant a 3-0 Muhlenberg lead on the leg of Mike Wenrich. Then the sleeping giant awoke in quarter two. Mifflin scored 42 points in a span of 11:46 to blow this game wide open. Eliseo Ortiz got the Mustangs on the board at the 9:54 mark of Qtr two. Eliseo’s 23 yard TD run put Mifflin on top 7-3. Mifflin’s D then held the Mules. The Muhlenberg punt was blocked by Tucker Garner, picked up by his brother Lucas and 15 yards later, Mifflin led 14-3. The next Mifflin possession culminated in a 30 yard TD run from Eliseo’s Ortiz. 21-3 Mustangs. Mifflin then successfully executed an on-side kick. On the first play after the recovery, Mifflin QB Jan Johnson hit Ortiz on a 33 yard TD pass. In a span of eight seconds, Ortiz scored two TD’s and Mifflin was cruising 28-3. Muhlenberg fumbled the ball away on their next possession. Mifflin’s leading rusher Wilson Fontanez scored a spectacular 22 yard run with :22 left in the half and the Mustangs led 35-3 going into the break.
Mifflin received the second half kick. 85 yards and 6 plays later Eric Dupel’s 31 yard TD gave the Mustangs a 42-3 lead. Daniel Lloyd ‘s blocked punt resulted in a Mifflin safety to make the final Govenor Mifflin 44 Muhelberg 3.
It becomes a one game season next week in Berks 1, Govenor Miffiln hosting Exeter Township. A conference championship, a 29 game conference winning streak for Mifflin, cross town rivals with everything on the line. This is what you love about high school football. I cannot wait.
Photo Credit: Terry Schlegel