Streaks blank Ephrata

The Ephrata Mounts Football team opened up the 2007 season hosting the Blue Streaks from Manheim Township. The Mounts, led by senior Blake Crowther were hoping to improve on last season's near miss 10-13 loss to the Streaks.

Though Manheim Township may have lost the orchestrator of its explosive offense from a year ago, the team simply plugged in a new conductor and didn't miss a beat.

Despite the pressure of replacing Pat Bostick, the L-L League's all-time leading passer and current University of Pittsburgh quarterback, senior Mark Mellinger stepped right in and led an offensive blitzkrieg for Township in a season-opening 27-0 (results/stats) victory over Ephrata at War Memorial Field.

"We may have lost some key guys, but we still have a lot of experience," said a beaming Mellinger after the game. "We came in as a team."

Coach Mike Melnyk backed up his quarterback's point in describing the mentality of his squad: "We really feel like we've developed a program where every year new guys will step up when it's their turn."

A pocket passing team in recent years, Township added a new wrinkle to its offense with Mellinger's improvisational skills and ability to make big plays with his legs.

That ability was on display during Township's first drive of the game. Facing third and 15 from their 27, the Blue Streaks turned to their senior leader, who handed off to senior running back Justin McCarthy, who delivered a 20-yard run that included some nifty open-field moves to make tacklers miss.

Mellinger followed that up by escaping what appeared to be a sure sack to break free for a 20-yard run.

Later in the opening drive, Township converted another third and long when McCarthy bolted around the right side for a 18-yard gain to set up his four-yard touchdown run on the next play.

"Ephrata loaded the box on first and second down, but we did a great job making plays on third and long," said Melnyk.

Likewise, Ephrata's inability to stop Township in third and long situations would haunt them the entire game.

"We need consistency on all downs and we can't think anything differently just because it is third and long," remarked Ephrata coach Ken Grove. "They simply made the big plays."

Township's onslaught continued in the second quarter as McCarthy added a 10-yard touchdown.

Blue Streak receivers Nate Pagan and Matt Curcio gave the Mountaineer defenders fits all night, combining for 10 catches for 170 yards. Their performance was highlighted by a screen pass to Curcio that he turned into a 48-yard touchdown.

Township running back Dan Wertz torched the Mounts in the second half for 76 yards and a touchdown on 9 carries. Not even a 12th defender could help Ephrata stop Wertz, who rambled for a 43-yard run despite running directly into the referee about five yards from the line of scrimmage.

Defensively, Roberto De La Rosa led a dominating performance by the MT front that limited Ephrata to 78 yards on 34 carries.