Last week ELCO fought hard against perennial state powerhouse Wyomissing, eventually coming up short 28-14. Fast forward six days and the Raiders would face on Homecoming yet another section juggernaut in the Cocalico Eagles.
The Raiders offense would go three and out on their first drive and punt it over to Cocalico. The run heavy Eagles veer and triple option attack would jump on the Raiders defense early. Quarterback Josh Myer would take the first snap on the night for Cocalico and race 28 yards for a touchdown taking a 7-0 lead.
“They’re just an incredibly well executing team and they have some weapons, the size of them upfront,” said ELCO head coach Robert Miller. “If we get one guy out of place and give them a crease they’re going to find it and really make you pay for it.”
The Raiders second drive would start on their own 27-yard line. Running back Jake Williams would be held in check by a swarming Cocalico defense. Facing third down, quarterback Steven Rosado would try running for a first down, but the Eagles would force a fumble and recover the ball on the ELCO 34.
“You look at the first half as a learning experience, honest mistakes like those mistakes are how we learn,” said Miller.
On a short field the Eagles would methodically move the ball down the field and score on a 2-yard run by Sam Steffy, pushing the score to 14-0.
The Raiders would start their third series at their own 35-yard line. ELCO would try to move the ball on the ground with Williams, but the defensive line for the Eagles did not allow Williams any running room. Williams would be held to 42 yards in the first half.
With the running game struggling to get going the Raiders took to the air, but Rosado would be picked off by Aaryn Longenecker who weaved his way 52 yards for the touchdown bringing the score with the extra point to 21-0 Eagles with 3:44 in the 1st Q.
On the next series ELCO would try to set up a screen pass, but Rosado would be picked off. The Eagles would drive down the field and Steffy would score his second touchdown on an 11-yard run.
“We had some guys in the first half try to make plays on their own and not follow through on discipline and it’s all heart that’s that effort and achievement you want to see out of your kids,” said Miller.
Despite the turnovers the Raiders kept battling, which their coach praised.
“I’m proud of our guys for their effort but now we just have to clean it up on our discipline and be in the place where their supposed to be,” said Miller.
Cocalico would score on each offensive drive it had in the first half to take a commanding 42-0 lead into halftime.
The Raiders would continue to fight in the second half as Ellis Gensamer would run 8 yards to get the Raiders on the board in the fourth quarter. While the Raiders would come out on the losing end 56-7, Coach Miller said his team did not quit.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the effort and the second half is actually who we are, so you are who you are the next play, people are going to judge you on the next play, so we’re going to have to respond and move forward,” said Miller.
ELCO will travel to Octorara Area on Oct. 6.
Jake Williams (22) tries to find running room up the middle. (Travis Boyd) Justin Smucker (2) returns a kickoff and dodges Sam Steffey (6). (Travis Boyd) Steven Rosado (3) meshes with running back Mitchell Frederick (24). (Travis Boyd) Jake Williams (22) takes the handoff and looks for a hole to run through. (Travis Boyd) Mitchell Frederick (24) run past Hunter Frable (73). (Travis Boyd) 
Steven Rosado (3) throws a screen pass on 3rd down and long. (Travis Boyd) Thomas Dattoli (61) makes a diving interception of a screen pass intended for Mitchell Frederick (24). (Travis Boyd) Coach Robert Miller gets his point across during a time out. (Travis Boyd) 
Gavin Bicher’s (6) punt is blocked by Dane Bollinger (26). (Travis Boyd) Sara Miller (16) is tackled by Connor Sola (15) after receiving a slant pass. (Travis Boyd) Ellis Gensamer (32) takes a pitch and runs outside for the lone Raider TD. (Travis Boyd)
ELCO Raiders
Read all our coverage of the Raiders here.
Roster
Head Coach: Robert Miller
Assistant Coaches: John Carley, Robert Williams, Wyatt Hall, Earl Thomas, John Wetzel
| Jersey Number | Name | Grade | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Hartz | Jr. | WR/DB |
| 2 | Justin Smucker | Jr. | WR/DB |
| 3 | Steven Rosado | Jr. | QB/DB |
| 4 | Shane Boyer | Jr. | WR/LB |
| 5 | Jackson Conners | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 6 | Gavin Bicher | Jr. | QB/LB |
| 7 | Phillip Horst | Jr. | TE/DE |
| 8 | Austin Yesko | Jr. | RB/DB |
| 9 | Ira Gensamer | Sr. | RB/DB |
| 10 | Elliott Kreider | Sr. | RB/LB |
| 11 | Dom Herzog | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 14 | Ethan Busser | Jr. | WR/LB |
| 15 | Dante James | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 16 | Sara Miller | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 17 | Josh Blair | Jr. | QB/LB |
| 19 | James Prosser | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 20 | Jude Weaver | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 21 | Jonathan Fisher | Jr. | WR/DB |
| 22 | Jake Williams | Sr. | RB/LB |
| 23 | Zane Trostle | Jr. | RB/DB |
| 24 | Mitchell Frederick | Jr. | RB/LB |
| 25 | Lee Tobias | Sr. | RB/DB |
| 26 | Landon Goodison | Jr. | K/P |
| 28 | Butch Savich | So. | WR/DB |
| 29 | Issac Harms | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 30 | Griffin Kreider | Fr. | QB/DB |
| 32 | Ellis Gensamer | So. | RB/LB |
| 33 | Brady Stoops | Jr. | RB/DL |
| 34 | Victor Feliciano | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 35 | Dom Shaak | Jr. | RB/DB |
| 38 | Isaiah Angley | Sr. | RB/DL |
| 40 | Rhyce Faust | Jr. | WR/DB |
| 41 | Hunter Mehaffey | So. | WR/DB |
| 42 | Elejandro Weister | So. | WR/DB |
| 44 | Connor Showalter | So. | WR/DB |
| 45 | J.C. Dejesus | Jr. | RB/DL |
| 50 | Luke Bailey | So. | OL/DL |
| 51 | Paul Williams | So. | OL/DL |
| 52 | Avery Kurtz | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 53 | Alex Muniz Cruz | Sr. | OL/DL |
| 54 | Robert Lubin | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 55 | Brayden Malloy | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 57 | Mason Sipe | So. | OL/DL |
| 58 | Carter Kemper | Sr. | OL/LB |
| 59 | Tupac Vasquez-Disla | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 60 | Lukas Morasco | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 62 | Griffin Fisher | Sr. | OL/DL |
| 63 | Asher Grier | So. | OL/DL |
| 64 | Dominick Lattarulo | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 65 | Riley McDonald | So. | RB/LB |
| 66 | Chris Bateman | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 67 | Ty Landis | So. | RB/LB |
| 68 | Jason Arnold | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 71 | James Kuhne | So. | WR/DB |
| 72 | Dawson Ocker | Sr. | OL/DL |
| 74 | Cole Haag | So. | OL/DL |
| 75 | Bryce Maize | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 76 | Josie Lebron-Matos | So. | WR/DB |
| 77 | Tyler Shaak | So. | OL/DL |
| 78 | Dylan Reddinger | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 79 | Ethan Bretzius | So. | OL/DL |
| 80 | Tyce Fiddner | Jr. | TE/DE |
| 81 | Michael Books | Jr. | WR/DB |
| 82 | Bryant Auker | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 84 | Noah Burgess | Jr. | WR/DB |
| 85 | Landon Leonard | Jr. | TE/DE |
| 87 | Chase Hess | Jr. | TE/DE |
| 88 | Bryce Haislip | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 89 | Dalton Pyzka | So. | TE/DE |
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