Matt Carty missed a few games with injury this season, but Cocalico's senior quarterback showed the importance of his leadership in Friday night's Section Two game at Solanco.
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Carty used his feet to break open what was a close game at halftime, scampering for two long touchdown runs in the second half as playoff-bound Cocalico beat the Mules, 34-17.
Carty's dashes were part of a second-half offensive explosion for both teams. Defense and mistakes were the story of the first half, which ended with the Eagles (5-2 L-L, 8-2 overall) leading, 6-3.
The teams combined to score 28 points in the third quarter, exchanging touchdowns before the Eagles scored three straight times for a 34-10 lead.
"We made a couple of adjustments at halftime," said Eagles coach Dave Gingrich, "but it was just a lack of execution the first half. We played with more desire in the second half and good things happened."
Solanco (3-4, 5-5) lost nine yards on the first drive of the game and punted to the Eagles, who took over on the Solanco 37. Austin Hartman, who came in as the league's second leading rusher, carried three times on the drive, including a 26-yard scamper off right tackle for the touchdown. Andrew Prevoznik's kick missed wide, though, and the lead was only 6-0.
The Mules drove 80 yards on their ensuing series, before stalling at the Cocalico 10. Andrew Haines attempted a field goal from 27 yards, but it missed right.
Solanco then picked up a turnover as the Eagles misfired on an option play. Haines tried a field goal from 44 yards, but the hold was bobbled.
Cocalico turned it over again on the next drive, as Carty throwing his first interception of the season. This time Haines booted a 26-yard field goal to cut the lead to 6-3 at halftime.
"We got the early score, but I don't know if we felt it would be easy, as we did some uncharacteristic things and turned the ball over," said Gingrich. "Solanco was fighting for their playoff life and played hard."
Cocalico's Kyle Rissell returned the second-half kickoff 45 yards to the 50. Three plays later Carty kept on the option, bouncing outside and running 41 yards for the score. The Mules answered with a five-play drive ending in Ryan Kutz' 10-yard TD run to make it 14-10.
Carty broke another 41-yard TD run on the next drive, converting third and four. This seemed to energize the Eagles, who forced a three and out for Solanco.
The Eagles scored again on the next drive as Carty lofted a deep pass slightly in front of Rissell, who dove headfirst and corralled the ball with one hand at the Solanco 5 for a 34-yard gain. Jonathan Smoker scored from the 1 for a 27-10 lead.
Solanco added a late score on a 31-yard run by senior BJ Enck (19 carries, 119 yards).
"We had our chances tonight and ran the ball well," Solanco coach Joe Pearson said. "We had a rocky road this season. We had a lot of adversity and yet the team fought back. I have never had more fun with a bunch of seniors and they play ball loose and have fun."
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