Joey Schlaffer-Exeter

The Eagles were holding onto a 31-28 lead at Gov. Mifflin with just over three minutes left in the District 3-5A championship. Exeter was facing a 4th & 4 at the Mustangs’ 38-yard line. The coaches were going to punt until Colin Payne and Joey Schlaffer convinced them to go for it. They didn’t let their coaches down. Payne hit Schlaffer for five yards and the Eagles were able to run out the clock. #7 seed Exeter earned its first District 3 title. Schlaffer had five catches for 55 yards and 2TD. The 6’6 junior told me that their team has gone through a lot of difficult moments this year. The Eagles lost to Gov. Mifflin 54-21 on October 8th. Schlaffer said they weren’t just looking to compete with the top-seeded Mustangs in the rematch; they were playing for keeps. Schlaffer called Colin Payne “a warrior.” Payne went 13-21 for 161 yards and 3TD on a very windy night. Schlaffer added that Eric Nangle has taken his game to another level in the postseason. Nangle ran for 223 yards on 40 carries against Gov. Mifflin. He had a 31-yard TD run in the fourth quarter and a 33-yard TD reception that gave Exeter a 21-7 advantage midway through the second quarter. The (10-3) Eagles finished with 399 total yards while holding the (10-1) Mustangs to 219. Schlaffer has a lot of respect for fellow Penn State commit Nick Singleton. The Gov. Mifflin star was limited to 40 yards on eight carries. Singleton did score two touchdowns including a 51-yard reception. He holds the Berks County record with 116 career touchdowns. Schlaffer got a call from PSU tight ends coach Ty Howle after the game. Exeter is going to the state semifinals for the first time!