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Indians Notch Fourth Straight Gridiron Victory

Photo by Bob Diller

Cody Stough returns a kickoff for the Indians in their 28-14, nonleague win at Elco on September 24.

BY LEAH SINTIC

The Indians ran away with their fourth consecutive victory on the gridiron with a September 24th triumph over the ELCO Raiders, 28-14.

Unlike the early season, in which Donegal had several come-frombehind wins, this time the Indians dominated the early minutes and set up a first quarter lead of 14-0, and doubled the Raiders point output.

“The kids played well. We came out strong and took a 21-6 lead at halftime,” praised head coach Chad Risberg. “The offensive line is coming together and allowing the backs to run the hole.”

The running game has been the highlight of several of the Indians recent wins, with the ELCO victory being no exception. Jon Holmes led the team in rushing yards, amassing 158 of the team’s 287 yards, in addition to delivering one of four Indians’ running TDs. Holmes ran the ball into the end zone on a 33-yard dash in the opening quarter, complimented by a second successful trip by quarterback Landen Baughman who cruised into the end zone on a 35-yard run. Each Donegal TD was delivered by a different player, with Noah Rohrer and Cody Stough taking their turns in the second and third quarters, providing evidence of the club’s offensive versatility.

Rohrer also supplied a four-forfour PAT performance.

“Our run game on offense is doing well. Multiple kids touch the ball, and all have the ability to score-it’s a well-balance scheme,” noted Risberg.

Rohrer’s contributions were also noteworthy on the defensive end, supplying nine solo tackles in the triumph. Holmes supplied three solo tackles and assisted on seven to further bolster the Donegal defense.

“Holmes and Rohrer lead the team in tackles this season. They have the ability to go sideline to sideline and make plays on defense,” Risberg credited the pair of linebackers.

FIELD HOCKEY

Donegal’s field hockey team came out on top in three consecutive league matchups, rising to triumphs over Manheim Central, Elizabethtown, and Cocalico to close out September.

On Wednesday the 29th, the club headed to Manheim Central and due to stellar goalkeeping from Donegal’s CC Emswiler (three saves), a single goal scored in the first quarter held for the 1-0 win.

Paige Miller delivered the goal off an assist from Reagan Clark.

Two days earlier, the Indians hosted Elizabethtown and prevailed over the Bears for a 2-1 win that came down to the wire.

Emma Miller notched both Donegal goals in the triumph, her first was an unassisted goal in the opening quarter, but Etown leveled the scoreboard at 1-1 in the second.

In a dramatic finish, Miller’s goahead goal came off one of 10 corner opportunities the Indians earned. With the clock drained of time, the Indians found themselves in a final play out situation in which Sarah Gainer dished an assist and Miller sent the ball into the net for the win.

E. Miller, Paige Miller, and Makayla Ober each notched a goal in a 3-0 win over Cocalico on Thursday the 23rd. E. Miller scored unassisted in the second quarter, and also doled out both assists to her teammates in the shutout.

“We have a small team, but they are working together, and I am super proud of their development on and off the field,” praised head coach Gina Allessie.

BOYS’ SOCCER

A pair of recent triumphs boosted the boys’ soccer team to an overall record of 7-4-1 as they turn the corner into the second half of the season.

The Indians powered past Solanco by a staggering 7-0 count on Tuesday the 28th, netting all seven goals after halftime for a drastically different latter half.

“We were playing too fast and dribbling too much,” head coach Andrew Wagner said of the scoreless first half.

After making some lineup and formation adjustments at the break, Wagner pointed out the marked improvements.

“It slowed the attack and created better moments for us. Way more pressure and much less time to play out of the back,” he explained.

The dividends were hard to miss, and six different Donegal athletes cashed in on the collection of seven goals.

Tye White’s two goals and one assist led the scoring blitz, with additional contributions coming from Pierce Gohn (1g, 2a) and Rowan Willing (1g, 1 a). Joseph Turbedsky, Dylan Wakefield, and LD Hanes chipped in with a goal apiece, while Brody Bonham and Aiden Weber each added an assist.

On the 25th, the Indians took down Eastern York and only registered eight shots on goal but connected on half of them to win the showdown 4-2.

Hanes netted two goals in the first half for Donegal, assisted by Willing and Turbedsky.

In the second half, Hanes and Turbedsky swapped roles when Hanes assisted Turbedsky’s goal five minutes after the break.

Just two minutes later, it was White who notched a Donegal goal and Turbedsky dished his second assist of the day.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

A late game goal from Laken Merchant put the Lady Indians back into the contest during last Tuesday’s trip to Solanco, but the squad ultimately fell 3-1 to the Mules.

Merchant’s goal came at the 75th minute mark, to bring Donegal within one after trailing 2-0, but Solanco had a bit more in the tank and secured their third goal with just one minute left to play.

Sophia Floyd supplied the assist

and Clara Bigony gathered six saves while guarding the Donegal goal.

TENNIS

The last two tennis matches of Donegal’s regular season schedule both ended in sweeps, with the club overcoming Solanco 7-0 last Monday, before the tables were turned the following day in a 7-0 loss to Hempfield. In the Solanco victory, Aubree Jones, Janelle Kingsboro, Ellen Zern, and Kensington Edmond each turned in victories in both their doubles and singles events, and teammates Corrine Watson and Emily Frownfelter were a part of doubles success. While hosting Hempfield the club celebrated their five graduating athletes, Jones, Zern, Megan Harlacher, Cassidy Paz, and Arianna Bass, and coach Trent Hoffmaster pointed out Photo by Bob Diller the positive contributions of each Jonathan Holmes goes 33-yards for the senior as they conclude the regular Indians’ first touchdown in their 28-14, season with a record of 7-5.

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Photo by Bob Diller

Donegal’s Brandon Coco blocks for Jonathan Holmes during the Indians’ 28-14 victory in a nonleague contest at Elco on September 24.

file photo

Laken Merchant scored the Indians’ lone goal in their 3-1, Section Three loss at Solanco on September 28.

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