Solanco, which finished last year 0-10, was not intimidated by Penn Manor; tying the game in the second quarter and keeping the score close until the end of the third quarter. The Golden Mules were twice stopped on fourth-and-short by the Comets’ defense, two key stops that helped Penn Manor hang on to its slim lead.

Penn Manor (1-0) head coach Bob Forgrave said he was impressed with the tenacity and effort Solanco put forth in the loss.

“I tell you what, Solanco really played well,’’ Forgrave said. “Their quarterback did a good job, they put pressure on our defense and forced us to reach down and play some football. I tip my hats to them.”

The Solanco quarterback was senior Dustin Musselman, who passed for 150 yards and ran for 147 more in the loss. He helped his team escape third-and-long situations three different times, twice by running for a first down and once completing a perfect pass over the middle on third and 19 to Mike Brooks for a first down.

“Dustin has come along well for us. He is a great athlete, good kid and there are some things we need to fix to get him focused on exactly what we need to do,” Solanco head coach Joe Pearson said. “We came in with a game plan knowing we would have to use him as an athlete and he stepped up to the bill.”

Musselman’s effort was overshadowed, though, by the ground game of Penn Manor. Hess ran off-tackle for most of his 167 yards and four touchdowns, while Stover pounded the ball up the gut for 117 more yards.

Treier, in his first start as quarterback for the Comets, completed one pass for 37 yards and scrambled for 131 more, including 43-yard draw play for Penn Manor’s first touchdown.

Solanco (0-1) bounced back after Treier’s score to tie the game. Musselman faced a third-and-one from deep in his own end. He dropped back to pass, only to face a five-man blitz in his face.

He avoided the tacklers, slipped through a hole, and scampered free for a first down. Two plays later, he ran a keeper up the middle nearly untouched for a 56-yard touchdown that tied the score.

“This was a step in the right direction for our program,” Pearson said. “The kids gave everything. The score does not indicate how well this team is coming together.”

Hess gave Penn Manor the lead back for good on its next possession, finding a large opening in the middle of the field and scoring from 42 yards out.

Solanco drove down the field as time ran out in the first half, but Musselman was stopped on the 6 as the clock expired.

The Golden Mules tried some trickery to start the second half, recovering an onside kick against an unsuspecting Comets defense. The team failed to capitalize, though, with Musselman stuffed on a fourth-and-short, giving the ball back to the Comets.

“The goal-line stand was great by our defense. I give my team credit, but we also let up some big plays. There are ways we can improve this football team,” Forgrave said. “This was a tough game and we only have a short week to get ready a big game with L-S Friday night. We need to be a better third and long defense and have to hold on to the football to win our next game.”

The Comets converted their own fourth down try on the first drive of the second half, and two plays later, Hess ran in from four yards out to put the game out of reach. The Comets added two scores in the last four minutes on another Hess run and an interception by Hess, which he returned for a touchdown.

“We need to get over the hump and focus on the things that need to be fixed. We have a plan for Red Lion that we will go at them with and we have to be able to perform,” Pearson said. “Our guys know our offense and we will go from there.”