Governor Mifflin and Lancaster Catholic came into week two action looking to turn 
around the season following tough opening game defeats. The Mustangs and Crusaders are no strangers to one another. Mifflin came into Friday’s action with a 20-14-1 all time edge vs the 2 time AA state champions. In a see-saw contest, Governor Mifflin evened it’s record at 1-1 besting Lancaster Catholic 42-12 at Catholic Stadium.
Mifflin was led by Junior Aaron Grill. Grill scored two TD’s One was a 95 yard interception return. The other a dodging and weaving 62 yard scamper around and through the Crusader defense. Mifflin’s defense also came up big in key moments of the game. The Mustang D turned away four Catholic scoring chances inside their own 10 yard line. Mifflin turned around two of those goal line stands into TD’s going the other way.
“The defense came up big when they had to,” said Mustangs’ Coach Mick Vecchio. “The kids are playing really hard.” RB/DB Aaron Grill praised his Mifflin coaches for the defensive effort. Preparation was the key to the defensive effort tonight according to Grill. “We knew what they were going to do,” said the two way Mifflin standout.
All of Mifflin’s first half 172 yards came via the ground for the Mustangs. The opening drive ended with a QB Hunter Reeser dive play for the TD. 7-0 Mustangs with 8:57 in quarter 1. LC responded with a drive deep into Mifflin territory. Aaron Grill’s 95-yard pick six for Mifflin turned everything around and it was 14-0 Mustangs through quarter 1. Again LC moved the ball deep into Mustangs territory, Mifflin’s D again rose up and stopped the Crusaders on downs at their own 1 yard line. In patented Mustang fashion, Mifflin ground the ball back up the field. Lucas Garner’s 19 yard TD run capped the 99 yard drive. Mifflin took the lead 21-0 which is how the first half ended.
Mifflin turned the ball over on each of it’s first two second half drives. Catholic converted each into a TD, but missed the extra points.
It was really a game now at 21-12 with 4:21 left in the 3rd quarter. On Mifflin’s next drive Aaron Grill’s 62 yard TD run gave Mifflin a bit of breathing space 28-12 going into quarter four. Mifflin’s D dug in and forced a three and out. When Aaron Baker capped another ground and pound, clock eating Mifflin drive with a 9 yard blast, the Mustangs had all the room they needed. It was 35-12 Mifflin with 6:23 left. The final was Governor Mifflin 42 Lancaster Catholic 12.
Things don’t get easier for either team next week. Mifflin is on the road with L-L Section 1 powerhouse Manhiem Twp. Lancaster Catholic faces a tough road test with Littlestown.
