Manheim Township takes down State Power Harrisburg in a thriller

Tagged under: District 3, Gameday Hub, News

Carl Frederick | September 11, 2022

Hayden Johnson found fellow Junior Asher Wolfe from the 4 yard line with 4 seconds left to give Manheim Township the thrilling victory. In a game with two teams that appear to heavy district 3 favorites, the Blue Streaks (2-1) shocked the Cougars in Sevarance Field Saturday afternoon. Johnson had two total touchdowns was thankful they could finish off the game in style “we did not have come to that position, we had this game on our list from the beginning of the year and it feels good to come out on top”.

Manheim Township kicked things marching right down the field on their opening drive which included Johnson finding Landon Kennell to convert a 4^th and long. Sophomore Declan Clancy finished off the nearly 10-minute drive to start the game with a 1-yard touchdown run. Harrisburg answered on their following possession, nearly scoring on their first play from scrimmage but the Mahkai Hopkins long run was called back on a holding penalty. It did not phase the Cougars as dynamic Sophomore Quarterback finish things off with a 1-yard touchdown run. The PAT was no good leaving the Blue Streaks up 7-6.

The second quarter saw another Harrisburg big play called back due to a penalty (an unfortunate recurring them) and Manheim Township would hold defensively. Coach Evans squad would bend but not break defensively, another Junior Quin Arnold would nail a 34 yard field goal and Manheim Township clung to a 10-6 halftime lead.

The third quarter saw both teams trade turnovers, first a Hopkins fumble gave the Blue Streaks prime real estate to increase their lead, but Johnson was intercepted near the goal line giving the ball right back. Coach Yoder’s defense held and after an Eli Rodriguez blocked pooch punt had Township great field position. This time they cashed in with Johnson scrambling in from the 6 on third and goal (17-6 Manheim Township).

Harrisburg showed why they are one of the top ranked teams in the state as they took their next possession all the way to paydirt capped off with Shawn Lee’s second rushing touchdown (17-14). Another Junior Nicholas Good had a monster performance on all three phases, nearly took the ensuing kickoff the distance but was tracked down at the Cougars 33. Harrisburg’s defense would hold and as we moved into the fourth quarter appeared ready to take this one over.

All-League candidate Makhai Hopkins powered his way in for a 5-yard touchdown and Harrisburg held strong leading 20-17. The Cougars defense survived another blocked pooch punt as they stripped Johnson on a qb draw inside the 20 to recover his fumble. After a quick three and out, Manheim Township had possession at the Harrisburg 38 with a little over two minutes to play.

This time Johnson and company finished things off, after two completions to Nick Good and Landon Kennel, Hayden went through his reads to find Asher Wolfe open for the game winning touchdown (24-20). Harrisburg would have one last but could not find the endzone on their last second hail mary attempt. Manheim Township pulled off a thrilling stunner and Coach Evans was more than happy to continue the Blue Streaks redemption tour “Young team coming off age” Coach Evans said, “The Retribution tour continues!”

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews