Gov. Mifflin drops to 0-3 with loss at Cocalico
DENVER >> The good news, if there is such a thing for a football team that’s 0-3, is Gov. Mifflin has been in this hole before.
The Mustangs know the way out.
That fact wasn’t lost on coach Jeff Lang as he pulled his players together for another postgame huddle marked by disappointment.
By the time they walked off the field following Cocalico’s 26-14 non-league victory Friday night, the Mustangs weren’t feeling too bad all things considered.
They put last week’s nightmare against Wilson behind them. They showed improvement. All that was missing was the W.
“I think our team can build a lot off this loss,” linebacker Brandon Strausser said. “We’ll come back strong and win the rest. I believe so.”
Mifflin succeeded in its No. 1 objective: Slowing down Cocalico’s vaunted option running game.
Cocalico (3-0) piled up 553 yards rushing on its way to victories over Conrad Weiser and Cedar Cliff the first two weeks. The Eagles were held to 125 yards Friday night.
Although that was important, it wasn’t enough.
“Our kids executed very well on defense,” Lang said. “A couple of different things here and there and we’re on the other end of it. I think our kids grew this week. I think they believe now.”
An ill-time turnover late in the first half contributed to one touchdown. A special teams breakdown by Mifflin created another.
Steven Flinton’s 76-yard kickoff return in the third quarter was the pivotal moment. Cocalico snapped a 14-14 tie and ground away the final 18 minutes.
“That was a backbreaker,” Lang said. “We’ve been struggling with our kickoff team. We have to go to work on that. That’s for sure.”
Cocalico, which only attempted nine passes in the previous two games, flashed a surprisingly potent down-the-field attack.
Noah Palm connected with Ronald Zahm on a pair of touchdowns. A 25yard strike on fourth down was Cocalico’s first score. A 6-yard toss made it 14-7 shortly before halftime.
“We were preparing for the run the whole game,” Strausser said. “We knew he could throw. We didn’t know if he could throw the long ball all the time. That was the outcome.”
Nick Singleton rushed 22 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns for Mifflin. The sophomore’s second score, a 25-yard run, tied it before Flinton’s game-changing return.
Mifflin has dropped its first three games to the same opponents for the second consecutive season. The Mustangs recovered to post seven wins and qualify for the District 3 playoffs last season.
No one wants to be 0-3. Recent history provides some comfort.
“We know we can do it,” Lang said. “Playing well tonight helps us springboard into our league.”
Mifflin faces Muhlenberg in Week 4. The Mustangs hope to start climbing out of the hole.