The Cocoa Bean Bowl played its 79th edition Friday night. The important match-up of cross-town foes lived up to its name, as the Trojans of Hershey High School reclaimed the Cocoa Bean. After two huge goal-line stops in the fourth that stopped Milton Hershey from tying the game, Hershey won the contest, 28-21.
The key to Hershey’s game was confidence, something they felt they didn’t quite have in their past losses on the season. Hershey’s turning point began in week four, after a double-digit comeback, and an upset victory over Cedar Cliff. Then, they rolled into their automatic biggest game of the season, with a 1-3 record. They were once again underdogs, this time against Milton Hershey, against whom they held a 38-36 all-time lead. That is now extended to 39 after tonight’s terrific victory.
It all started with defense for Hershey. Milton Hershey got the ball and began their drive on the twenty-yard line. There, they began multiple sloppy plays, followed by a tipped punt that got lucky and rolled all the way to Hershey’s forty. There, Hershey ran the ball with Angel Cabrera, who pounded the Milton Hershey defense, ultimately in for the score from the 14-yard line.
Despite their opening drive failures, Milton Hershey decided to continue their rushing offense again. Once again, it was not a successful series of plays, and Milton Hershey was forced to punt again. Hershey took over under quarterback Daniel Painter, who rallied the Trojans through their own territory, to the four-yard line. He handed off to Angel Cabrera, who took it in for the Hershey score again. Hershey now took a comfortable lead, up 14-0 on the Spartans.
It was time to make changes for Milton Hershey. On their next drive, they threw the ball for 7-10 yard gains to the sidelines, and the heat came on for Milton Hershey. Milton Hershey QB Kenny Emile’s field vision and decision-making were on full display. That came to light on the drive’s final play, where Emile dropped the snap, picked up the ball, found some holes to run through, and then took it himself across the goal line for six. Milton Hershey’s extra point went through, and the game became more intriguing, 14-7.
Hershey’s Daniel Painter followed the Spartan touchdown up by running it himself into the endzone from the twenty-five-yard line. With a few more minutes left, Milton Hershey was determined to reach the double-digit benchmark, and they did with a pass over the middle to Malachi Thomas. The scoreboard at the historic Hersheypark Stadium read 21-14, and fans and spectators were in for an exciting second half.
After dueling scores, in the third, the fourth quarter was upon us, and the score was 28-21. It became a fast-moving game due to Hershey’s rushing attack, which kept the clock moving in the fourth. With minutes remaining, Hershey was forced to punt. Milton Hershey had the pressure on, down seven, with a chance to win the Cocoa Bean Bowl, but Hershey, under the defensive lead of Angel Cabrera, stopped Milton Hershey at the goal line multiple times. The game was virtually over, with a Hershey’s kneel pending.
Hershey, after a 1-3 start to the year, grabbed a huge win in what is always a huge game. They grabbed their 39th all-time victory in the historic rivalry. Next week, the Trojans will host Red Land. They’ll visit Milton Hershey’s stadium for the Cocoa Bean Bowl next season.
As for Milton Hershey, they’ll be back at home next week for their Bishop McDevitt match-up, who’ve been ripping up opponents this season.
