Lampeter Strasburg beats Solanco to keep the Milk Jug trophy another year

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Pat Weider | September 18, 2021

Lampeter-Strasburg football players pose for a picture with the Milk Jug trophy after a 28-14 win against rival Solanco. 

In the match-up of rivals, Lampeter Strasburg and Solanco battled for the Milk Jug trophy Friday night. Lampeter Strasburg was able to take care of business 28-14 with a balanced rushing attack and timely passing from QB Berkeley Wagner. Lampeter Strasburg was paced by Jonathan Mellinger with 2 rushing touchdowns and Julian Lopez with a rushing touchdown. Coach Victor Ridenour on the win “We got the win, but we just got to keep getting better”. 

Solanco opened the game with a long drive mixing their option attack with tosses to their wing backs for big gains. Solanco finished the drive with a trick play when FB Robert Castagna threw a touchdown pass to WR Elijah Cunningham for an early 7-0 lead. Coach Ridenour on the 1st drive for Solanco “I think you can never replicate Solancos speed. So it takes a little time to get adjusted to their speed. Once they figured it out we played much better on defense”. Wagner who plays defense as well said this about the start “Honestly it was a combination of not seeing their veer how fast it is”.  

Lampeter Strasburg also started slow on offense. They had 3 false starts and were forced to punt after one 1st down. Ridenour on the start on offense “We need to clean up and start a lot faster”. Wagner said this about the start “On the 1st drive we looked lost then we calmed down and we were fine”. Lampeter responded with 2 Touchdown drives later in the 1st Quarter. 1st Wagner hit Hunter Hildenbrand on a 13-yard touchdown pass, then Jonathan Mellinger rushed in from 1 yard out, to take a 14-7 lead, that they would never relinquish.  

In the second half, Lampeter would score 2 more touchdowns.  One rushing touchdown by Julian Lopez and one more by Mellinger his second of the night.  Solanco would respond and score one more time Josiah Forren had a rushing touchdown. 

Lampeter used at least 4 different running backs as they kept rotating them to keep them fresh. They also would put several of their running backs out at wide receiver positions. Ridenour on his RBs “We have some really good skill kids. And they can catch the ball and run the ball. Those kids really grew up fast tonight”. Leading the way for those running backs was the blocking of the offensive line. Lead by Nick Del Grande a Coastal Carolina football commit the offensive line paved the way for the runnings back and Wagner to run the ball very well. Wagner on the offensive line “Our offensive line is great when they are rolling the team rolls. Coach always says they are the stable of the team”. 

Nick Del Grande posing with the milk trophy. The winner of the milk Lampeter Strasburg vs. Solanco game gets the trophy for the year. 

Wagner is a classic dual-threat QB. He can run and throw the ball very well. Several times he was able to extend plays with his legs. He also showed the ability to make the proper read in the QB run game. Ridenour on his QB “He is doing a really good job of reading it. He can throw the ball really well. He is the heart and soul of our team. “Wagner on being a dual-threat QB “I like to run more it than I pass sometimes. When you have a QB that can run it is just another dynamic for the offense” Wagner and Lampeter were able to get the win and enjoy the Milk Trophy another year. 

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