At halftime Friday night, Oct. 15, three Conestoga Valley players left the field on a Gator, as Manheim Central beat up the Buckskins during a 63-0 shellacking, spoiling CV's homecoming in Witmer.

Just 12 minutes into the game and it was 28-0 Barons. Central returned a fumble for a touchdown, intercepted two balls for TDs and blocked a field attempt (Brode Sipel) - all in the first half. After scoring two TDs in the first two minutes of the game, Central led 56-0 at halftime. They added a punt return for a score in the second half.

Nick Haas scoped up the fumble recovery for a 24-yard score, Kahlen Watt had the two INTS for TDs, and Owen Sensenig had a 45-yard punt return TD.

Quarterback Judd Novak threw for three TD passes - two to Sensenig and one to Logan Hostetter, on a ball Novak lofted over the defensive back on a beautiful touch pass for a 24-yard score. Novak also rushed for two scores.

Central's defense and special teams really shined.

"Our big emphasis was just executing our offense and defense and just trying, really, our biggest emphasis was trying to stay healthy," Barons' coach Dave Hahn said. "We are banged up after a front-loaded schedule. We tried to two-platoon as best we can and get guys in and out of the game as best as we can. We weren't as clean as we wanted to be, but we were also trying to get other guys in."

What pleased Hahn the most was his team battling through injuries, battling through fatigue, the tiredness and not making excuses; they are just going out and winning games.

"Their resilience," he said. "I was worried about where we were at with the kids. They just seemed so darn tired. But today, at the beginning of the game, they just played. They came out and played right away. Everything we dealt with, and the injuries, the tough practices and we came out ready to go."

FIELD HOCKEY

The field hockey team wrapped up Section Two play with a 2-1 victory over visiting Lampeter-Strasburg Thursday, October 14. Despite being out cornered 11-7, the Barons took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Mikayla Appel, her fifth of the season, at the 2:36 mark of the first half. Both teams found the back of the cage in the second half with Kylie Kroesen tipping Kiley Hosler's shot right off the L-S goalie pads. Lampeter's Rowan Kimmel scored for the Pioneers but Appel's first half goal stood to be the difference. Kroesen was also credited with an assist and Avery Wagner preserved the victory with seven saves as the Barons improve to 9-8-0 overall.

BOYS' SOCCER

The Barons battled Hempfield for more than 110 minutes without a winner and ultimately fell to the Black Knights 4-3 on penalty kicks in the Lancaster-Lebanon League semifinals on Oct. 19. The Barons scored first against Hempfield, the top seed for the L-L League tournament and the No.3 seed in Class 4A for districts.

Luke Redcay sent a pass to Connor Caterbone, who found the back of the net in the 24th minute of the first half. Hempfield scored 10 minutes later to tie the game at 1-1. It remained that score through regulation and two overtimes.

The score was tied 3-3 on penalty kicks when Noah Felty, Hempfield's goalie, sent a shot high into the right corner of the nail to secure the win for the Black Knights. Central keeper Dylan Smith had 16 saves.

The Barons season is not over, as they now prepare for the district playoffs.

Last Saturday, Manheim beat Section Four champion Pequea Valley, 4-1, in the first round of the league playoffs. Redcay got the Barons on the board first. After a weather delay, Redcay's brother, Gabe, found the back of the net to make it 2-0.

After intermission, Gabe Redcay scored again, and Bradyn Dombach added a goal. The Braves had only one shot.

CROSS COUNTRY

Jenna Moffett had an especially strong race finishing first for the Lady Barons at the L-L League meet at Ephrata Middle School on Oct. 19. Julie Lindberg, Olivia Sunderland, and Reagan Ibach also qualified for districts, which is Oct. 30 at Big Springs High School.

Moffett place 44th overall with a time of 22:11 out of 156 girls competing. Sunderland (22:23) was 52nd overall, Ibach (22:26) was 55th and Lindberg (22:45) was 66th overall. Hadelyn Hoffman (23:54) was 90th.

"For the girls, our goal was to qualify for districts as a team," Barons' coach Ryan Kennedy said. "This was a lofty, but I thought an attainable goal. We fell short of that goal, but still had four girls qualify (for districts)."

For the boys, Michael Greenwald earned a berth in the district meet with a time of 18:36, good for 68th overall out of 174 participants.

"Michael was our front runner yet again," Kennedy said. "His finish qualified him for the district meet."

VOLLEYBALL

Manheim lost to Garden Spot in a highly contested match on Oct. 19 by scores of 25-21, 25-20 and 25-23 in New Holland.

Grace Stoltzfus paced the Barons with 20 assists. Emma Damon had eight digs and Emma Moyer led the team with five kills. Maddie Knier paced the club with 11 kills and three blocks.

The Barons bounced back Oct. 20 with a 3-0 victory over Solanco with game scores of 25-12, 25-15, 25-13. Stoltzfus dished out 24 assists and Damon added nine digs. Rachel Nolt and Camryn Heth each had four aces. Knier paced the team with 10 kills. Natalie Siegrist registered three blocks.