Sophomore Hayden Johnson throws for five scores as Township takes care of Cocalico

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Carl Frederick | September 26, 2021

Sophomore Hayden Johnson throws for five first half touchdowns as Manheim Township pulls away from Cocalico

In their final tune-up before heading into section play, Manheim Township (3-2) was too much for Cocalico (2-3) pulling away for the 48-21 victory. Hayden Johnson had touchdown passes of 53, 52, 27, 23 and 19 yards all in the first half as the Blue Streaks appear to be gaining momentum heading into Section 1 play “We gotta keep Uncle Mo on our side” Coach Mark Evans said “We gotta focus on 1-0 and keep ourselves on the straight and arrow”.

The Blue Streaks got things going on their first possession when Johnson on the first play from scrimmage, found fellow Sophomore Landon Kennel for a 52-yard touchdown making it 7-0.

Cocalico would answer on the next possession. Running the triple option Senior Brycen Flinton took a pitch and went 70 yards to paydirt evening the score at 7-7. Johnson and company came right back the next possession capping it off with another touchdown pass to Kennel from 23 yards putting them back up 14-7. After a failed fake punt attempt by Cocalico, Johnson found Penn State Commit Anthony Ivey from 19 yards out making it 21-7 with 3 minutes left in the first quarter.

League Leading Rusher Anthony Bourassa (22 carries 146 yards 1 touchdown) answered on his third carry of the game racing up the middle 68 yards putting the Eagles within a score at 21-14. On the next possession Cocalico finally had Manheim Township stopped when two Eagles players collided with one another during the punt and the Blue Streaks recovered inside the 20-yard line. The very next play Junior Jake Laubach dashed to the outside for a 14-yard score to make it 28-14.

The Blue Streaks settled in defensively handling the Eagles triple option offense for most of the contest. Following a fumble recovery Johnson found Laubach through the air from the 27-yard line for the touchdown to make it 35-14 in MT’s favor. With just 35 seconds left in the half Johnson hit stud running back Isaiah Jones for a 53-yard score that put the score at 41-14 going into halftime.
It was clear early on that Cocalico just simply didn’t have an answer for Township’s passing attack, but they would not quit. After finally getting a defensive stop in the second half Cocalico sophomore Aaryn Longenecker took a handoff from the 30 for the touchdown (41-21).

The Eagles seemed to have a bit of momentum when Johnson used his legs to convert on third and long to start the fourth quarter. The next play another sophomore Nick Good gashed Cocalico with a 43-yard touchdown run putting Manheim Township ahead 48-21 for the final score of the game. “I felt we got a little complacent in the third.” said Coach Evans, “Next time I will sit on them a little more during halftime.”.

Hayden Johnson (15-18 229 yards 5 touchdowns) seems to be improving each week. He was quick to remain team focused when he spoke after the game “We got three wins, week by week we gotta build on that” Johnson humbly replied “Week by week we gotta win out that’s all we can do”. The Blue Streaks begin section 1 play with the Cedar Crest Falcons (2-2), while the Eagles will look to get back on track when they welcome Solanco (2-3).

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