On a picture-perfect fall evening, Penn Manor continued its historic season, winning the first district playoff game in program history in front of an extremely loud and large towel-waving crowd in Millersville.
Already the school's first eight-win team in over two decades, the seventh-seeded Comets dominated all facets of the game in defeating 10th-seeded Dallastown, 42-7, in a Class AAAA opener.
"This is obviously a significant victory," said Penn Manor coach Todd Mealy. "This team has meant so much to the community, and has really laid a foundation for the entire program.''
Leading 21-7 at halftime, the Comets slammed the door on the Wildcats. Starting from its own 35, Penn Manor used a variety of running plays in a nine-play drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Sean Noll, the team's leading rusher in the regular season.
From there, the Comet defense took over, limiting the Wildcats to one first down and only 37 yards of total offense in the second half.
"Our defense has played solid all year. They're confident, so they play fast and physical," said Mealy.
Noll (13-81 rushing) provided the offensive punch for Penn Manor in the second half, scoring on runs of 10 and 39 yards in the fourth quarter to provide the final 42-7 margin.
"We have tough backs who do different things," said Mealy. "Sean is powerful, but elusive."
Fired up by their home crowd, the Comets came out strong, setting the tone from the opening whistle.
On the game's first play, defensive end Cody Booth, who tied for the L-L League lead in sacks this season, tracked down Dallastown quarterback Chris Hunt for no gain. The next two plays netted no yards, but the real fireworks were just about to begin.
Penn Manor senior Mike Treier hauled in the punt on the run at his own 43, headed down the right sideline, and cut back through a legion of Dallastown defenders. Seconds later, Treier was sprinting down the middle of the field for a Comet touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Unfortunately for Penn Manor, Treier was ejected from the game in the second half for unsportsmanlike conduct, which by PIAA rule makes him ineligible for next week's second-round game at Cumberland Valley.
Penn Manor's first offensive drive chewed up nearly 6 minutes. The biggest play of the drive was a strike from quarterback P.J. Rehm to Booth over the middle to convert on third-and-13. In addition to his passing, Rehm was efficient on the ground, running for 71 yards on 10 carries.
Shearer (12-59 rushing) plunged in from one yard out for his first touchdown of the night.
Dallastown's lone offensive highlight came on a 70-yard touchdown run by Anthony Defabio that cut the deficit to 14-7.
The Comets, however, answered the challenge. Noll's 53-yard kickoff return set them up at Dallastown's 46. An 18-yard pass from Rehm to Booth put the Comets in business, and the running game took over from there. Shearer scored on his second one-yard touchdown run of the first half for a 21-7 halftime lead.