In a battle of unbeatens in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon Football League, Conestoga Valley came out with a 28-27 victory against Exeter Friday night at Reiffton.
Conestoga Valley is 9-0, 5-0 in Section 2; Exeter is 8-1, 4-1.
Conestoga Valley clinched at least a share of the Section 2 title and can win it outright with a win over Muhlenberg next week.
A thrilling contest came down to an wild finish as the Eagles, trailing 28-21 went on an 83-yard scoring drive with under a minute to go in the game.
With 12.8 seconds to go a 15-yard touchdown pass from Jake Hafer to Jordan Ware made it 28-27 Conestoga Valley. The Eagles went for a two and Jayden Zandier’s run came up short of the end zone.
Exeter recovered the onside kick but the ensuing Hail Mary fell incomplete to end the game.
The Buckskins got off to a hot start in the first quarter and opened up a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.
Conestoga Valley opened up the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Sawyer Esbenshade to Josiah Garcia on fourth and 12 with 9:04 to go in the opening quarter.
The Eagles picked up just one first down on their opening two possessions.
Esbenshade picked up a 2-yard touchdown run with 3:02 remaining in the first quarter to make it 14-0.Conestoga Valley. The Buckskins picked up 118 yards on their opening two drives.
Exeter got its own momentum going in the second quarter as Zandier scored his first touchdown of the night from two yards out with 9:34 to go in the opening half. The Eagles picked up three first downs on the 11-play, 47-yard drive.
Conestoga Valley made it 21-7 on third and long with 5:57 remaining in the first half. This time, a 28-yard touchdown pass from Esbenshade to Cordell Bair on third and long added to Conestoga Valley’s lead.
Zandier recorded a 51-yard run after Exeter started at their own 30 midway through the second quarter. His big run turned into a 6-yard touchdown run that he took in himself to cap off the 4-play drive and make it 21-14.
After forcing a three-and-out on the Buckskins’ ensuing possession, a 22-yard touchdown pass from Jake Hafer to Jayden Ware tied the game up for the Eagles. Hafer and Zandier alternated at quarterback throughout the game, and that scoring drive was just Hafer’s second of the night.
Although Exeter had the momentum, Conestoga Valley ended the first half with the lead. The Buckskins answered quickly as Sawyer Esbenshade threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Johnson. Johnson was open on a post route to the right sideline after picking up some big runs earlier in the drive that started at their own 21.
In the third quarter, the Buckskins dominated the time of possession. Both teams were held scoreless in the third.
The Eagles stopped Conestoga Valley on fourth down at their own 12 in the third quarter as a strong defensive effort helped keep Exeter in the game.
At the start of the fourth, Exeter had a momentum-shifting stop as a pass from Esbenshade to Bair went only 13 yards on fourth and 14 from the Exeter 19.
Following the stop, Exeter advanced to their own 45, picking up two first downs. However, on fourth and seven at the 45, Zandier rolled out right and threw a deep pass down the right sideline that was intercepted by Seth Frankford.
The Eagles were able to force a three and out on the Buckskins’ next possession and took over at the 50 following the punt.
With 3:41 to go in the game, Exeter took over at the 50 but an illegal procedure penalty pushed them back five. Following a small rush gain, two straight incompletions from Hafer ended the drive for the Eagles on fourth and 10 from the 50.
The Exeter defense came up clutch once again and forced a punt to give the Eagles the ball back 1:23 left in the game. A false start forced a third and ten.
After taking over at their own 17, Hafer threw two incompletions followed by a 32-yard pass to Carter Redding. On the play, the Buckskins had a targeted penalty that added 15 yards.
Exeter advanced to the Conestoga Valley 34 and then picked up a huge first down on a pass from Hafer to Genuine Stutzman that put the Eagles at the Buckskins 15 before the touchdown pass.
Source: Berkshire mont
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