Exeter’s standout lineman, now tight end, Michal Menet, was in diapers the last time the Eagles claimed a league championship. Riding a 35 game league win streak, Governor Mifflin came into Friday’s matchup as the team Berks Football League programs have measured their success against for the last five seasons. The last three years the Mustangs were all that stood in Exeter’s path to league crowns. Finally the Eagles broke through with a signature performance. Led by Menet an RB Nick Sarangoulis, Exeter put themselves in the drivers seat for a Berks One title with a convincing 35-21 victory over Governor Mifflin.
Exeter Head Coach Matt Bauer pointed to a huge play by two time all state selection and Penn State commit Michal Menet as the turning point of the game Down 14-0 early in the second quarter, Menet burst through to block a Mifflin punt. Exeter rode that momentum to score 35 unanswered points to end Governor Mifflin’s hold on the Berks Section One title. “Michal’s punt block was huge,” said Bauer. “It turned the whole tide of the game.” With Penn State Head Coach James Franklin in attendance, Menet did not disappoint. His two way stellar performance propelled the Eagles to victory.
Governor Mifflin came out looking like the five time defending Berks One champs. Dominating the trenches, RB Lucas Garner ran through the veteran Exeter D at will. The Mustang defense did not allow a first down. A Mifflin dominated first quarter ended with the Mustangs having a 14-0 lead and holding Exeter to only four total yards.
Early in quarter two is when everything changed. Michal Menet’s block of a Mifflin punt set up Exeter in Mifflin territory. Two plays later, RB Nick Sarangoulis scored the first of his two TD’s to make it 14-7 Governor Mifflin.
With the half winding down Exeter was able to mount a drive. QB Gabe Schappell dropped back to pass, scrambled out of the Mifflin rush, and 11 yards later he scored with only seconds left. It was 14-14 at halftime with all the momentum moving Exeter’s way.
Mifflin’s D forced a three and out to start the second half. Mifflin took over following a punt and proceeded to fumble the ball away at their own 18. Exeter capitalized with a QB Gabe Schapell TD pass to Matt Feeney making it 21-14 Exeter at the 9:33 mark of quarter three.
Mifflin fumbled the ball away on their next possession. Sarangoulis’s second TD made it 28-14 Exeter mid way through quarter three. The quarter ended with Exeter holding a commanding 28-14 lead.
The fourth quarter was a hard hitting defensive battle. Exeter iced the game with 5:43 to play. RB Leroy Longenecker’s 28 yard run made it 35-14 Exeter. The proud Mustangs kept fighting. A grounding drive was capped by QB Hunter Reeser’s TD run to make the final score Exeter 35 Governor Mifflin 21.
There was a lot of mutual admiration to go around on the Exeter sideline following the victory. Head Coach Matt Bauer praised his seniors, “This is the most special group of seniors I have ever coached,” said Bauer. “Our slogan is 365 days for 10 nights. These kids bought into that whole heartedly.” Former TE now QB Gabe Schapell lauded his head coach’s efforts for the team’s success. “Taking the team from 0-10 to winning a county championship, you gotta give him(coach Bauer) all the credit.”
Exeter moves on to face arch rival Daniel Boone next week to clinch the Berks One Title and take a top seed in the District Three playoffs. Governor Mifflin needs a victory over a 7-2 Conrad Weiser to make the District three post season.
