By Jason Guarente
Published Nov 26, 2005 13:00
Manheim Central’s football players raised the trophy, momentarily basked in the applause, then handed out some T-shirts.
The whole scene had a distinct business-as-usual feel to it.
That’s because it was.
The Barons dismissed Muhlenberg 48-21 in the District 3 Triple-A final at Hersheypark Stadium Friday night.
The win clinched Central’s 15th district crown in the past 17 years.
“I think it’s still big,” wide receiver Graham Zug said. “This is a great victory, especially for the seniors. You realize what it means.”
It means that once again everyone in District 3 is looking up at Manheim.
Central improved to 12-1 and advanced to the state semifinals where it will face District 11 champ Pottsville next Friday in Hershey at 7 p.m.
Pottsville defeated Strath Haven 32-0 Friday night. The Crimson Tide is also 12-1 with its only loss coming against Muhlenberg in Week 6.
Before the focus shifts to that game, it’s important to note what Central has accomplished.
Only twice since 1989 has someone other than the Barons walked away with the Triple-A hardware.
Conestoga Valley broke through in 1991 and Lower Dauphin grabbed the title in 2002.
That’s it.
Except for those hiccups, late November has always been colored with Manheim maroon.
“Our consistency kind of separates us from the rest,” running back Nate Mast said. “It goes back to the coaches and the hard work of the players.”
Central had just one moment of concern against Muhlenberg, which fell to 10-3.
The Muhls, who lost to the Barons 42-7 in last year’s district playoffs, took the opening kickoff and went on a determined, punishing drive.
Muhlenberg ran 16 plays, traveled 84 yards and took 8:14 off the clock. Jordan Kipp’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Michael Lebo put the Muhls in front 6-0.
That first drive was Muhlenberg’s biggest punch of the night, but the Barons were able to shrug it off.
“Everybody was a little frustrated,” Mast said. “They came out with more fire. To come back the way we did helped us get our confidence back and get the momentum back.”
Central responded like a team that has been there before.
The Barons scored touchdowns on their first two possessions to seize a 14-6 halftime lead.
The first score came on a 1-yard run by quarterback Brandon Miller. The second was a 4-yard burst by running back Jeff Ochoa.
Central added to its lead when Miller rushed 69 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter.
Miller was a thorn in Muhlenberg’s side all night. The 5-11, 173-pound senior carried 17 times for 191 yards and three scores. He also completed 8 of 9 passes for 132 yards.
Even when the Muhls trimmed Central’s lead to 21-14 in the third quarter, the Barons never seemed to be in danger.
Their powerful offense, guided by Miller, scored at will.
“When it got close, we were confident we could move the ball offensively,” Miller said. “We had plays that were working and we stuck with them.”
Central poured it on in the second half, scoring on five consecutive possessions. The only time Muhlenberg stopped the Barons was when they were running out the clock in the final minute.
Ochoa finished with 44 yards rushing and three scores. The 5-9, 165-pound senior leads the team with 17 touchdowns.
“He’s our go-to guy at the goal line,” Central coach Mike Williams said. “He breaks those tackles and wiggles his way through everything.”
Central, which has won 12 games in a row since a season-opening loss to Central Dauphin, made this latest triumph look easy.
The biggest challenge for the Barons was putting their dominance in perspective.
“You have to think about the teams that don’t do this every year and how lucky we are,” Miller said.
The names and faces change every fall, but the results stay the same. That’s a source of pride for Central. That’s each group’s motivation.
“The kids look in that trophy case at school,” Williams said. “There are so many neat things in there.”
After Friday night, they’ll have to clear some room.
This year’s Barons just made another contribution.
