SPORTS
10 - MERCHANDISER - Manheim Central Edition - November 18, 2020
For MORE SPORTS PICTURES and other high school sports news Conestoga Valley • Donegal • Elizabethtown Garden Spot • Hempfield • Manheim Central Pequea Valley • Solanco
Barons Hand Trojans First Loss of the Season
BY ERIC STARK
Manheim Central and Hershey took the field on a warm, sunny Saturday on November 7 and engaged in some oldschool football, the kind of ball that features field position and uses the running game to set up the pass. The Barons came out on top 24-21 in Manheim, giving the Trojans (5-1) their first loss on the season. Several new players emerged as play-makers for the Barons, as the team continues to build on its promising future. Jaden Weit and Brady Harbach both sophomores - had a big impact on the game. Trailing 7-0 early in the first, Weir went to work. The sophomore running back charged up the middle for a 1yard score, capping an 11-play, 80yard scoring drive. At 6-foot, 185 pounds, Weir dished out some hits while running seven times for 71 yards on the drive. “When he hits it, he’s good,” Barons’ coach Dave Han said about Weit. “He’s a powerful, big kid, strong.” This was Weit’s second game back from a serious back issue that caused him to miss six games this season. He played in the opener against Cedar
Crest, gaining 90 yards, but then he was diagnosed by what doctor’s thought was spinal stenosis, a careerending injury. He went to CHOP and was cleared to play by a specialist. Wearing a neck brace on the field for extra protection, he crashes into defensive players with strong bursts through the hole for 134 yards on 25 carries. Hahn said Weir is a big addition to the Barons’ offensive game plan. Having Weit back allows Larry Marley to play less at running back and concentrate more on defense at corner back. Weir had 57 yards on 15 carries last week against Wilson. “It is really nice having him back,” Hahn said. “He could have been a difference maker against Cocalico, Solanco and Conestoga Valley (all MC losses). You must account for him.” Manheim quarterback Judd Novak had another efficient day, completing 12-of-21 passes for 121 yards and throwing two touchdowns. His first score came when he connected with Harbach on a 20-yard slant over the middle with 37 second left in the second quarter, giving the Barons (3-5) a 14-7 lead at halftime. At 5-10, 150-pounds, Harbach performs like a veteran player, sliding into openings in the defense to get open for
passes. He collected four receptions for 50 yards against the Trojans. “He was big on offense,” Hahn said about Harbach. “He’s been starting the last four or five games. He’s a sophomore who has a knack for finding the openings. He knows the route and he knows how to adjust, finding the hole, sitting there and moving with the quarterback if he gets flushed. He just has a good sense for that. I think part of that is because he’s played the quarterback position. He has that savvy. Brady is going to be a good one, if he keeps working on his craft.” Tied at 14-14 at the end of three quarters, Novak threw a beautiful fade pass of 13 yards to Kade Kegarise in the right corner of the end zone to put the Barons back on top 21-14 with 9:19 left in the game. Westley Borden caught three passes for 15 yards and Owen Sensenig had two receptions for 34 yards. Kicker Logan Shull, who is 30-for-31 on extra points and 6-for-6 on field goals on the season, booted a 39-yard field with 8:37 remaining. This proved to be the difference in the game as it put Manheim ahead 24-14. The Trojans scored once more, but Manheim’s offense ran out the clock to end the game.
LITTLE LEAGUE 2021 Baseball Registration Spring is coming soon, and Spring means baseball season. As a chartered Little League, Manheim Central Little League proudly follows the heritage of Little League Baseball by providing healthful activity and training under knowledgeable leadership. The MCLL is dedicated to helping our players develop skills and to learn the value of teamwork and good sportsmanship. The skills players learn will lay a foundation as they advance to higher levels of baseball and also as they grow in the community. Manheim Central Little League has teams for players (boys and girls) ages 4-12. For more information, including eligibility age chart, visit www.manheimcentrallittleleague.com
Spring Registration is now open online.
Winter Conditioning 2021
Photo by Thom Swarr
Owen Sensenig returns a punt for the Barons during their 24-21, nonleague victory over visiting Hershey on November 7.
Photo by Thom Swarr
Manheim’s Mason Weaver fends off Hershey’s Ian McCormick as he turns the corner on a carry in the Barons’ 24-21, nonleague win at home on November 7.
Manheim Central Little League Baseball
Thursdays, January 7, 14, 21 & 28 6:30pm - 7:30pm
T-Ball: Ages 4, 5, & 6
Thursdays, February 4, 11, 18 & 25 6pm - 7pm
Minors/Majors: Ages 9, 10, 11, & 12
Keystone State Sports
The Barons finished with 275 total yards on offense (150 rushing, 120 passing) for a balanced attack. Nate Reed did an excellent job with kickoff and punts. Hahn said Reed (4 punts, 33.5 average) did well directing punts and kicks away from Hershey’s dangerous return men. “Our field position on kickoffs, Nate did a great job getting the ball deep,” Hahn said. “I think one time they got the ball to the 18. We still kinda kept field positions, and that was key. Our punts were great. They were down the sideline, out of bounds. They (Hershey) didn’t have a chance to return any of the punts. We’ve been working on that and I think the last couple of weeks we did really well. Some of their (Hershey) strengths were their special teams, their return games. We wanted to try take that away and I think we did a good job with that today.” After giving up a 66-yard run for a TD early in the game, Manheim’s defense, led by Tyler Fahnestock (10 tackles), Josh Moore (8 tackles, 1 sack) and Rocco Daugherty (6 tackles, 1 sack), settled in and took away Hershey’s run game. “I thought our defense did a good job with the run game downs, kinda forcing them to pass,” Hahn said. “You know they are going to pass and then you have to think, our corners have to compete and sometime they did and sometimes they didn’t, but I think we did what we wanted to do, it is whether we executed every time. We battled.” One causality in the game was senior Owen Pappas leaving after he gained one yard on a running play with 2:08 left in the first quarter with an apparent shoulder injury. Besides getting some carries on offense, Pappas is a key member and leading tackler on defense, registering 71 tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery this season from his defensive back position.
Coach Pitch (Rookies): Ages 7 & 8 **First time players MUST supply a copy of their birth certificate and proof of residency**
For additional information please contact Tom Reiner - treiner@ptd.net or Kristin Martin - kmartinmcll27@yahoo.com
R065537
662 Ditz Drive, Manheim, PA 17545 Photo by Thom Swarr
The Barons’ Ryland Fittery mixes it up with Hershey’s Cole Nasatka along the line of scrimmage in Manheim’s 24-21, nonleague victory over the visiting Trojans on November 7.