Berks County Football Wrap Up
As I've mentioned on this blog before, I'm writing a column for the new Berks County edition of High School Sports The Magazine. The following column appears in the December issue on news stands now...
That’s A Wrap!
It’s time to turn the lights out on another great season of high school football in Berks County. Both Sections of the I-C were decided with head to head matchups in week ten. Berks County took another big step with Wilson, Governor Mifflin and Muhlenberg all beating Mid-Penn teams in the opening round of districts. Our goal at The Big Ticket is to bring viewers great moments from the gridiron. Here’s a look back at some of the top moments and performances captured by Big Ticket cameras.
BEST GAME: Governor Mifflin- 28, Manheim Township- 21 (OT). The Mustangs got revenge for their only regular season loss in this District 3/6 semifinal. A low scoring first half gave way to plenty of big plays after intermission. The Mustangs overcame some interesting calls and a few defensive lapses. In the end Sam Eagleson hit Casey Hughes in the endzone in overtime for the victory.
BEST INDIVIDUAL PLAY: Vaughan Carraway’s 108 yard interception return against Pottsville. Carraway scored multiple long range touchdowns on offense and special teams, but none compared to this gem. The Muhls went on to win the game 41-6, but only lead by one point before the pick. Asked why he took it out of the endzone Carraway said, “I thought I was at the 20…” Whatever helps you in explain it to coach Yocum in the film room Vaughan.
BEST GAME PERFORMANCE #1: Codie Butler (Conrad Weiser) vs. Muhlenberg. The sophomore carried it 40 times for 266 yards in a 22-14 win over the Muhls. 28 of the 40 carries came in the second half as Butler wore down the Muhls defense. He also scored both Weiser touchdowns in the game. The win put the Scouts on the map in Section One and without it they wouldn’t have earned their first district birth in a decade.
BEST GAME PERFORMANCE #2: Nick Wilkinson (Twin Valley) vs. Wyomissing. This performance deserves mention because of what it may do for the Twin Valley program long term. Wilkinson had 20 carries for 170 yards in the game. He also completed a pass on a halfback option for 20 yards and made a key late game interception to help seal the game. The win gave the Raiders a share of the Section Two title and clinched the first post-season game in school history.
BEST COACHING: Twin Valley’s Jerry Wilczynski and Joe Domsohn. Wilcynksi and Domsohn are co-coaches in Elverson. It may have taken two to keep the Raiders on track after a 0-4 start. Heading into week five they told the team every week was a Super Bowl and the team played like it ripping off seven straight wins to get to the Eastern Conference Championship. The coaches also switched offenses after that bad start going from the spread attack to the “I”.
BEST BAND: Exeter. Over the course of the season I try to keep a running tally of the best marching bands that I see. Exeter takes the cake this season for two reasons. For one, the Eagles band is one of Berks County’s biggest and the group oozes with pride. We get emails touting the musicians every season. This season the Exeter band also helped to take the edge off of the football team’s 0-10 campaign.
Before the arguments begin remember, this list only includes plays and games captured by Big Ticket cameras. See you next September!
Tim