After a tough loss for both teams last week, ELCO traveled to Cocalico to face the Eagles in a Lancaster- Lebanon league matchup. Before the game, Cocalico seniors gave their jerseys to a teacher who had made an impact in their lives. The teachers wore them Friday to honor the passion and care that they have for their students. The ceremony held at Eagle Stadium displayed that high school football is about more than just football.
The Eagles won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to start the game. Cocalico methodically marched down the field constantly moving the chains, keeping the Raider defense on their heels on the opening drive. After a six-minute, 68-yard drive,
Tyler Angstadt punched in a six-yard touchdown rush. The Cole Roos PAT made it 7-0 Cocalico.
ELCO’s first drive was halted by an interception from Carter Getz to give the Eagles the ball back after just a few plays. Two plays later the shifty Aaryn Longenecker took it 51 yards to the house for a touchdown. The PAT from Talen Popolis made it 14-0 Eagles to end the first quarter.
After an ELCO punt to start quarter two, Cocalico didn’t take long to score as Josh Myer connected with Longenecker for a 35-yard touchdown pass. This made it 21-0 Eagles early in the second quarter.
Another ELCO punt on the Raiders’ next drive gave the red-hot Cocalico offense another chance to continue to run all over the burnt-out Raiders’ defense. A 50-yard drive was capped off by a 13-yard touchdown rush from Sam Steffy to make it 28-0.
ELCO had a promising drive working for them right before halftime, but the Eagles intercepted the ball for a pick six to end the half by the MVP of the game Aaryn Longenecker. Longenecker looked trapped in a sea of Raiders but he cut outside and let his speed take him into the end zone to end the half. After two quarters, Cocalico was dominating ELCO 35-0.
Coming out of the half, Cocalico’s special teams wanted to get in on the fun. They blocked a punt and set up the offense in the red zone. A few plays later, Steffy found the end zone for the second time making it 42-0.
The Raiders’ star running back, Jake Williams, finally broke one loose in the third quarter, exploding through the line of scrimmage for a 64-yard touchdown run to get the Raiders on the board. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score 42-6.
Aaryn Longenecker totaled three touchdowns tonight and seemed to be involved in every play of the game. Sam Steffy tacked on two touchdowns as well.
The Eagles came to play tonight after suffering a tough loss to Lampeter- Strasburg last week. They look to keep the momentum going next week when they travel to a 6-0 Wyomissing team, who now holds the Berks County record for most consecutive regular-season wins in a row.
ELCO looks to get back in the win column when they travel to a struggling 1-5 Octorara team next week.
