The first #12 seed to win a District 3 football Championship - Cocalico Eagles
Cocalico upset second-seeded Exeter 34-14 in the District 3-5A championship at Don Thomas Stadium. Exeter suffered its first loss of the season. Cocalico set the tone early with a 16-play, 65-yard opening drive that lasted eight and a-half minutes. Sam Steffey got his 23rd touchdown run of the year from two yards out. The (10-4) Eagles raced out to a 13-0 lead on a 46-yard score by Brayden Eppinette with one minute to go in the first quarter. Exeter pulled within 20-14 late in the third quarter on Richie Karstien’s second 1-yard touchdown run of the night. Josh Myer answered with a 14-yard score on the ensuing possession. The sophomore quarterback added a 5-yard touchdown run with 3:47 remaining for the final margin. In a matchup of two great rushing attacks, Cocalico outgained Exeter 188-97 on the ground. Cocalico is the first #12 seed to win a District 3 football championship.
SVSPORTS interviewed Aaryn Longenecker after the game. The 5’10, 165-pound junior had two catches for 87 yards including a 42-yard TD with 22 seconds left in the first half. Longenecker also came up with an interception and later ran in a 2-point conversion.