Braylon Reinert-Exeter

Exeter’s strategy was very simple on Friday at Muhlenberg. “We knew that they weren’t as physical as us so we decided to just pound the rock the whole time,” said Braylon Reinert. The Eagles ran the ball 30 times and only attempted three passes in a 42-12 victory. Head coach Matt Bauer gave credit to the offensive line. “It’s everything to us. Our inside run periods that are 30 minutes are painstaking. We hit every day. These kids are physical. These kids are unselfish and they’re a pleasure to coach,” emphasized Bauer. Leo Brown, a sprinter on Exeter’s track team, finished with 280 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries. The 6’, 176-pound senior has 1,172 yards and 17 TD in seven games. “Leo’s having a Jayden Zandier type of season. He might even break his record,” noted Reinert. Zandier, a two-time All-State selection, piled up a school-record 2,086 rushing yards last year.

The Muhls, who suffered their first loss of the season, jumped out to a 6-0 lead after a 59-yard opening drive. Cam Small went up the middle on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with 6:45 left in the first quarter. The (7-0, 4-0) Eagles responded with 42 consecutive points. Brown’s 36-yard sprint down the left sideline set up his 3-yard score on Exeter’s 77-yard opening possession. Reinert, a 225-pound junior TE/LB, recovered a fumble by Small on the next series. Aidan Dauble crashed into the end zone from one yard out to cap a 39-yard drive on the final play of the first quarter. The Eagles used a Power-I formation for the first time with Dauble and Jackson Kozik at fullback. Exeter racked up 303 yards on 30 carries. Reinert, Dauble, and Kozik give the Eagles three quality options at tight end. “I think this tight end room is the best in Berks [County],” stated Reinert.

Brown broke off touchdown runs of 52 and 42 yards in the second period. The (6-1, 3-1) Muhls trailed 28-6 at halftime. Jake Hafer found Kozik on a play-action pass that went for an 18-yard touchdown to begin the second half. It was Hafer’s only completion of the night. The East Stroudsburg baseball commit was 1-of-3 for 18 yards with a late interception. Hafer has taken over at quarterback due to Riley Martinez’s shoulder injury in Week 2 at Boyertown. Reinert picked off a pass by sophomore Adriel Baez and returned it to the 8-yard line midway through the third quarter. Brown’s 3-yard touchdown run made it 42-6.

Muhlenberg put together a 90-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard run by Small with 8:13 remaining. Small had 96 yards on 24 carries. The All-State pick is up to 1,053 yards and 17 TD this season. The 5’11, 185-pound senior set the school record with 346 rushing yards against Exeter last year. Most of Small’s yards on Friday came late in the game. The Muhls were outgained 321-to-224. Baez finished 17-of-23 for 125 yards and an interception.

Muhlenberg had started the season (6-0) for the first time since 2007. The Eagles have won twelve straight in the series with the Muhls. “It shows we’re legit. We worked so hard for this. We’re ready to win State’s, win District’s. We’re ready to do it all,” said Reinert. Exeter visits Hempfield next week before traveling to Conestoga Valley. The Buckskins are also undefeated. That matchup will likely decide the Section 2 championship in the Lancaster-Lebanon League.