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SHILLINGTON--Give Mifflin County credit for at least one thing--they aren't ducking anybody.
Faced with an opponent ranked in the Top 10 in the state for the second week in a row, the Huskies hung in there and stymied Governor Mifflin's first two cracks at the end zone Friday.
But an interception return for a touchdown late in the first quarter seemed to be all the Mustangs needed to start the stampede as they racked up another five touchdowns in the second quarter en route to a 55-14 victory over Mifflin County.
"It's definitely been a test for us, probably two of the best teams in the state right now," Huskies coach Scot Sechler said. "We definitely have some work to do on our offensive and defensive lines right now. Everybody's bringing pressure on us like crazy and we're struggling to keep it out. We have a lot of talent out there, it's just a matter of giving them an opportunity to make plays."
The Mustangs (2-0) were moving the ball early and got into Mifflin County (0-2) territory before a fumbled handoff allowed Jaxson Pupo to pounce on the loose ball for the game's first turnover. But a quick three-and-out put Governor Mifflin right back on offense. This time it appeared the Mustangs had gotten into the end zone, only for a holding penalty to negate the touchdown. The Huskies' defense made the most of its second opportunity, forcing Governor Mifflin to try a 27-yard field goal that sailed wide left, keeping the game scoreless.
Mifflin County's offense appeared to be getting its sea legs as quarterback Brycen Hassinger hit Jayden Jackson for an 11-yard gain on the first play, before Hassinger was sacked on the next snap and then was intercepted by the Mustangs' Ayden Martin on the one after that. Martin returned the pick 33 yards for a touchdown that gave Governor Mifflin a 7-0 first-quarter lead.
It was, unfortunately, just the beginning of the avalanche.
Governor Mifflin scored another five touchdowns in the second quarter, including a blocked punt recovered in the end zone by Martin and scoring drives of three plays, five plays, two plays and one play. In just 12:30 of game time, the Mustangs had gone from tied at 0-0 to leading by 40.
"It was the same thing last week, too, when we played (Bishop) McDevitt and we were kind of able to keep them at bay," Sechler said. "We don't have a lot of depth right now. We have a few kids injured; we had almost a dozen kids that weren't with us here tonight. When we get them healthy and when we get them back, I think we'll have a different look for us. But we just don't have enough depth right now to really stay with it."
The Huskies managed to get on the board before halftime, as Hassinger scrambled for 41 yards before connecting with Jackson in the back of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown pass with 38 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Benjamen Yingling's extra point made it 40-7 at the half.
In the third quarter, with the Huskies punting after their opening possession, it was time once again for standout Governor Mifflin running back Nicholas Singleton to show what he could do. Having already rushed for two scores in the game, Singleton took the punt, bounced off a tackle and raced 55 yards to a punt return touchdown.
"The speed of the game is way different," Sechler said of facing his two-game season-opening gauntlet. "You learn how to adjust to things. It's hard to simulate that kind of speed in practice. (Singleton)'s a heck of a ballplayer. When you have somebody like that, it really gives you a respect for the other teams you play as well. I think we're gonna face good teams down the stretch here yet, but I don't think we're gonna see anything near what we saw these first two games. I think the kids know it. I think they understand we're up against some of the best teams right here."
Mifflin County found the end zone once more as Cody Bickhart weaved through traffic to score from 45 yards away on the opening play of the fourth quarter. Governor Mifflin's backups would later add one more touchdown to set the final.
"I'm proud of them. They don't back down. They don't quit playing," Sechler said. "We'll play anybody. We were not gonna back down from anybody. I'm not afraid to match my kids against the best teams in the state. I think we have a lot of heart and we show it out there on the field. We play with heart. We play with effort. It's just a matter of getting a few guys healthy and getting back to what we know how to do."
Mifflin County returns to Mitchell Field to face Red Land on Oct. 9.
Governor Mifflin 55, Mifflin County 14
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Mifflin County 0 7 0 7--14
Governor Mifflin 7 33 7 8--55
First Quarter
G--Ayden Martin 33 Int return (Schools kick), 1:46.
Second Quarter
G-- Rock 1 run (Schools kick), 11:23
G-- Martin blocked punt return (Schools kick), 10:22
G-- Singleton 12 run (kick failed), 6:47
G-- Martin 46 pass from Maryniak (2 pt failed), 4:53
G-- Singleton 21 run (Schools kick), 1:16
MC-- Jayden Jackson 15 pass from Brycen Hassinger (Benjamin Yingling kick), 0:38
Third Quarter
G-- Singleton 55 punt return (Yingling kick), 9:08
Fourth Quarter
MC-- Cody Bickhart 45 run (Yingling kick), 11:48
G-- McNeil 16 run (Amegangee run), 3:48
TEAM STATISTICS
MC G
First downs 7 12
Total yards 125 304
Rushes-yards 25-53 39-256
Yards passing 72 48
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 7-18-1 2-4-1
Punts-avg. 5-32.4 0-0
Fumbles-lost 4-2 1-1
Penalties-yards 5-35 6-69
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: MC-- Schaeffer 6-9, Hassinger 11-(-11), Maidens 2-5, Bickhart 2-45, Baker 1-1, Wilson 1-5, Lyons 1-6, Team -(-7); G-- Strausser 7-45, Singleton 6-99, Rock 6-71, Maryinak 4-5, Stewart 1-6, A.McNeil 2-6, Harter 2-(-2), D.McNeil 4-18, Rodriguez 3-6, Amegangee 2-2, Martin 1-3, Team 1-(-3).
PASSING: MC-- Hassinger 6-14-1-37, Lyons 1-4-0-35; G-- Maryniak 1-1-0-46, D. McNeil 1-2-1-2
RECEIVING: MC-- Jackson 4-31, King 1-3, Pupo 1-3, Sechler 1-35; G-- Martin 1-46, Pena 1-2.