The Exeter Twp. and Reading school districts adjoin one another. Yet the two schools only began playing football against one another when Reading High joined the Berks Football League in 2010. The Red Knights took the first matchup, but the Eagles were riding a five game win streak in the brief series. Exeter took control of this year’s contest early and cruised to a 40-0 win over Reading High Friday night.
Army recruit Gabe Schappell was a one man wrecking crew for Exeter. Gabe had two TD receptions, a rushing TD and was a force on defense that included an interception. Eagles QB Brandon UnterKoefler, who tossed the TD’s to Schappell and had a sparkling 29-yd TD run was a stellar performer as well.
Eagles Head Coach Matt Bauer was proud of his teams performance and said, “These kids played hard. It was senior night. It was important. We want to try to get one more game at home.” (meaning a home playoff game). “We want another chance to play Mifflin,” said Coach Bauer Gabe Schappell who was also pleased with the Eagles performance. ” We came out with a great game plan and we perfected it to a T. We came out aggressive and played well.” Gabe echoed his coaches statement that Exeter is using a rematch with Governor Mifflin as playoff motivation. “We feel like if we had a few more minutes in the first game we would have won. We want to definitely come out and play them (Gov. Mifflin) again.”
Exeter received the opening kick. Gabe Schappell had a long catch on the first play. The second play was a Schappell 27-yard TD reception. Very early the Eagles led 7-0. Exeter’s next possession was primarily on the ground. Nick Sarangoulis had a nifty, 15-yard TD run and it was 13-0 Eagles as the first quarter ended. The Exeter defense held Reading in check again. Gabe Schappell culminated the next Eagles drive with a one-yard TD run early in quarter two. The score made it 20-0 Exeter. Both teams defenses dug in for the rest of the quarter and we went to half with Exeter holding a 20-0 advantage.
Reading put up a a good fight to hold Exeter in check for most of the third quarter The Eagles broke loose for two scores late in the quarter. A TD pass by Brandon Unterkoefler to Gabe Schappell and Brandon’s 29-yard TD run made it 33-0 Exeter going into quarter four. A final TD by Gage Moran made the final Exeter 40 Reading High 0.
QB Brandon Unterkoefler 29 yds @ExeterAthletics 33 @RDGschools 0 1:58 Qtr 3 @EPAFootball #piaa @AndyBrackets @HSFBamerica @GameTimePA_SC pic.twitter.com/rOLaTSEiw9
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) October 29, 2016
Exeter moves on for its “Pig Iron” rivalry game with Daniel Boone. A win by the Eagles almost assures a first round playoff game. Reading High will try to get back to the 500 mark with a matchup with cross town rival Muhlenberg.
