DOWN 17, NEVER OUT: EXETER STUNS ELIZABETHTOWN 30-27 IN INCREDIBLE WEEK 6 COMEBACK
Exeter traveled to Elizabethtown Friday night for what had the potential to be the game of the year in District 3.
It certainly lived up to the hype.
Both teams battled all night long, but the Eagles pulled off an incredible comeback, erasing a 17-point third-quarter deficit to stun the Bears, 30-27, in an unbelievable finish.
FIRST HALF — BOTH TEAMS COME OUT FIRING
Exeter received the opening kickoff and came out firing. The Eagles drove past midfield before WR Nicky Pashley took a jet sweep around 40 yards to the house. Unfortunately for Exeter, the touchdown was wiped out by a holding penalty.
That didn't stop the Eagles.
QB Aidan Gerhart connected with WR Brady Adams for a nice 16-yard completion. A few plays later, Gerhart found Pashley on a 7-yard touchdown pass to put Exeter up 7-0 on its opening possession.
The Eagles took approximately seven and a half minutes off the clock on that drive.
Now it was Elizabethtown's first opportunity with the football.
On the Bears' very first offensive play from scrimmage, RB Prince Wratto ripped off an explosive 35-yard run, rumbling into Exeter territory.
However, Exeter's Donovyn Alvarez came up with some key tackles over the next few plays, helping the Eagles force a turnover on downs and get the football right back.
Exeter started driving again behind some nice runs from RB Josh Jackson. Gerhart then delivered a beautiful throw to Pashley for what appeared to be another Eagles touchdown.
But once again, the play was called back because of holding.
That was Pashley's second touchdown wiped out by a penalty, and it was only the opening quarter. You don't see that very often.
Elizabethtown got the ball back and finally started finding its rhythm.
QB Kolton Eckinger connected with WR Gannon Shank on a beautiful 23-yard pass to move the Bears near midfield.
An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed Elizabethtown backward, but freshman Rudy Brisbane responded with a nice 15-yard run on a jet sweep.
Then WR Beckett Shank came up with a massive 23-yard reception, breaking multiple tackles and getting the Bears into the red zone.
Elizabethtown faced a crucial fourth-and-6 inside the Exeter 20-yard line. The Bears went for it, and Eckinger found Gannon Shank for a clutch conversion.
On the very next play, Wratto finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.
Elizabethtown missed the extra point, leaving Exeter ahead 7-6 in the second quarter.
Both teams were forced to punt on their next possessions.
The Eagles eventually got the ball back and faced another fourth down. They sent out the punt team, but this time, IT WAS A TRICK PLAY.
Braylon Reinert was involved in the fake, but the play went backward, losing approximately 10 yards and giving Elizabethtown the football around Exeter's 40-yard line with only a few minutes remaining in the half.
It was a gut-wrenching play for the Eagles.
Elizabethtown capitalized quickly.
Wratto caught a screen pass and took it 42 yards to the house, putting the Bears ahead 13-7 with about a minute remaining before halftime.
It was an incredibly explosive run after the catch by Wratto.
Man, is that kid fast.
Exeter got the football back and immediately went to work.
Reinert hauled in a nice 20-yard reception, while Adams added a pair of catches that each gained more than 10 yards.
The Eagles moved into field-goal range, where kicker Austin Williams nailed a 32-yard field goal.
HALFTIME: ELIZABETHTOWN 13, EXETER 10
SECOND HALF — ELIZABETHTOWN BUILDS A 17-POINT LEAD
Elizabethtown received the opening kickoff of the second half, and oh man, did the return deliver.
Wratto took the kickoff all the way down to Exeter's 3-yard line before Cayden Reinert barely managed to trip him up.
On the very next play, Eckinger kept the ball on a read option and ran it in from 3 yards out.
Just like that, the Bears led 20-10 only a minute into the third quarter.
Exeter couldn't get anything going on its next offensive possession and gave the football right back to Elizabethtown.
The Bears capitalized again.
A few plays into the drive, Wratto exploded up the middle for a 34-yard touchdown run, breaking multiple tackles and outrunning the defense.
It was Wratto's third touchdown of the night, giving him two rushing scores and one receiving touchdown.
Man, is that kid fun to watch.
Midway through the third quarter, Elizabethtown had built a commanding 27-10 lead.
But Exeter never quit.
The Eagles faced a crucial fourth-and-long when Gerhart delivered a beautiful 20-yard pass to Cayden Reinert, moving Exeter into Elizabethtown territory.
The Eagles continued marching downfield and eventually reached the red zone.
That's when Gerhart found Braylon Reinert for a 16-yard touchdown pass.
With approximately two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Exeter had cut the deficit to 27-17.
The Eagles were still very much alive.
Elizabethtown got the ball back and faced a huge third down in its own territory. That's when Brady Adams intercepted Eckinger, giving Exeter the football around midfield.
Adams had been playing great coverage all night for the Eagles, and he came up with a massive play when his team needed it.
But on Exeter's very next play, Elizabethtown answered with an interception of its own.
Rudy Brisbane picked off Gerhart to give the football right back to the Bears.
It was quite the sequence.
The interception was Brisbane's eighth of the season, leading the state of Pennsylvania and continuing an incredible year for the freshman.
FOURTH QUARTER — AN UNBELIEVABLE COMEBACK
Wratto opened Elizabethtown's next drive with a nice 15-yard run. The Bears continued moving the football and reached the red zone early in the fourth quarter.
Facing another crucial fourth down near the Exeter 20-yard line, Eckinger delivered a clutch pass to WR Matthew Beck for a first down.
Great throw by Eckinger. Great catch by Beck.
The conversion gave Elizabethtown a fresh set of downs just outside the 10-yard line.
Eventually, the Bears faced a massive fourth-and-2 at Exeter's 5-yard line.
They went for it.
They didn't convert.
Elizabethtown elected to pass on fourth-and-2, and you have to wonder why the Bears didn't hand the football to Wratto, who had been running all over the Eagles throughout the night.
That decision gave Exeter the football back on its own 5-yard line, trailing by 10 midway through the fourth quarter.
The Eagles needed a miracle.
They got one.
Exeter faced an absolutely massive fourth-and-6 deep in its own territory. A failed conversion would have put Elizabethtown in an excellent position to put the game away.
Gerhart dropped back and immediately faced pressure.
He avoided multiple potential sacks, extended the play for several seconds, and somehow found Cayden Reinert wide open around midfield.
Reinert took off.
SEVENTY YARDS. TOUCHDOWN, EXETER.
What an unbelievable play.
Gerhart's ability to escape the pressure and find his open receiver completely changed the game.
The touchdown cut Elizabethtown's lead to 27-24 with 3:26 remaining.
Now the Bears needed to protect the football and run out the clock.
Unfortunately for Elizabethtown, disaster struck.
On first down, the Bears elected to pass, but the play resulted in a devastating 17-yard sack that pushed the football all the way back to their own 1-yard line.
Elizabethtown suddenly faced second-and-27 in the worst possible field position.
A few plays later, the Bears were forced to punt.
Exeter was getting another opportunity.
Trailing by three, the Eagles took over around the Elizabethtown 40-yard line with approximately two minutes remaining.
They needed somebody to make a play.
Josh Jackson answered the call.
Jackson delivered two crucial 11-yard runs to move Exeter inside the Bears' 20-yard line.
A few plays later, he delivered again.
Jackson rumbled up the middle for a 6-yard touchdown run, giving Exeter its first lead since the second quarter.
The extra point was blocked, but the Eagles were now ahead 30-27 with only 52 seconds remaining.
Elizabethtown got the football back with one final opportunity, but the Bears struggled to get anything going with so little time left.
Exeter had done it.
The Eagles completed an incredible 17-point comeback, stunning Elizabethtown 30-27 in one of the most exciting games of the season.
What. A. Game.
PA EAST TAKEAWAYS
EXETER TOWNSHIP
Exeter improves to 5-1 following an incredible come-from-behind victory over Elizabethtown.
This team showed next-level fight and determination. Trailing by 17 points midway through the third quarter, the Eagles never gave up and found a way to win.
They'll look to keep the momentum rolling next week when they travel to Lebanon.
AIDAN GERHART — JR QB
22 completions • 240 passing yards • 3 passing TDs
Gerhart had a truly remarkable night for the Eagles. He led his team back from a 17-point deficit and looked cool, calm, and collected while doing so.
He delivered the play of the night, escaping pressure and finding Cayden Reinert for a 70-yard touchdown to bring Exeter within three points.
An outstanding performance from the Eagles' quarterback.
CAYDEN REINERT — SO TE/DE
Cayden came up with remarkably clutch plays throughout the entire night.
He hauled in a 20-yard reception on fourth down that helped set up an Exeter touchdown. Then, with the game on the line, he caught the incredible 70-yard touchdown pass that completely changed the momentum.
He also played exceptionally well on defense, generating pressure throughout the game.
Big-time performance from the sophomore.
JOSH JACKSON — SR RB/SS
Jackson had a huge night on the ground for the Eagles.
He consistently provided chunk gains and showed why he's such a tough, physical runner.
When Exeter needed him most, he delivered two crucial 11-yard runs on the final scoring drive before punching in the game-winning 6-yard touchdown.
BRADY ADAMS — JR WR/CB
Adams came up with clutch receptions throughout the entire night.
He also played great coverage on defense and delivered a crucial interception late in the third quarter to give the Eagles another opportunity.
A great all-around performance from Adams.
BRAYLON REINERT — SR TE/MLB
Braylon hauled in a clutch 16-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter to help spark Exeter's comeback.
He consistently found openings in the defense and made important receptions when the Eagles needed them.
He also made his presence felt on the defensive side of the football.
NICKY PASHLEY — SR WR/FS
Pashley was consistently making plays at receiver for the Eagles.
He finished with a touchdown reception and had two additional touchdowns called back because of penalties.
Despite those frustrating moments, he continued making an impact throughout the game.
Great game for Pashley.
ELIZABETHTOWN
The Bears fall to 4-2 following a heartbreaking loss Friday night.
However, this is still a very good football team, and there's plenty of football left to be played this season.
Elizabethtown will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Governor Mifflin.
PRINCE WRATTO — JR RB
3 total TDs • 2 rushing • 1 receiving
Wratto is an absolute must-watch player.
He dominated throughout the night, scoring three total touchdowns and repeatedly making explosive plays for the Bears.
He runs with tremendous power, has elite speed, and is incredibly difficult to bring down.
Opposing defenses are in trouble anytime this dude has the ball in his hands.
He is truly incredible to watch.
RUDY BRISBANE — FR WR/CB
8 interceptions this season • 1st in Pennsylvania
Brisbane played an outstanding game for the Bears.
The dude is one of the hardest hitters I've watched. He recorded his eighth interception of the season, which leads the state of Pennsylvania, and played amazing coverage throughout the night.
He also contributed offensively and continued showing his versatility.
The future is BRIGHT for this kid, especially considering he's only a freshman.
KOLTON ECKINGER — JR QB
Eckinger played a great game for the Bears.
He was efficient through the air and delivered some very impressive throws throughout the night.
He also scored on a 3-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to extend Elizabethtown's lead to 10 points.
PORTER AVERS — SR OLB
Avers was everywhere on defense for the Bears.
He consistently made his presence felt and remains a key part of Elizabethtown's defensive unit.
NOAH LLOYD — SR DL/T
Lloyd was a force on the defensive line throughout the night.
He came up with a clutch tipped pass and was constantly involved in stopping the run.
A tough, physical performance from Lloyd.
GANNON SHANK — SR WR/OLB
Shank came up with some remarkable receptions throughout the game.
He's a very reliable receiver who consistently makes important plays when the Bears need him.
He also contributed on defense and delivered a strong all-around performance.
FINAL: EXETER TOWNSHIP 30, ELIZABETHTOWN 27
WE COVER. WE TELL. WE ARE. PA EAST.