Mason Rotelli-Exeter

Colin Payne set a single-season school record for passing yards and helped Exeter capture its first District 3 championship last year. In his college debut earlier this month, Payne broke Alvernia’s single-game record by throwing for 380 yards. Needless to say, Mason Rotelli had some big shoes to fill. The 6’1, 170-pound senior has guided the Eagles to a (4-0) start including a 36-6 victory at Gov. Mifflin. He ran for two touchdowns and passed for another score. I asked Rotelli about replacing Payne at quarterback. He replied, “I don’t feel much pressure. Colin Payne has helped me so much. I can’t thank him enough. He’s been a great mentor for me.” Rotelli’s 5-yard run on fourth-and-1 early in the second quarter got Exeter on the scoreboard first in Shillington. That 80-yard drive took five minutes and 42 seconds. Rotelli gave credit to his offensive line which averages nearly 250 pounds. “They’re just an exceptional line. Enough credit can’t be given to them. They work hard each and every day at practice. I love those boys,” he said. A 9-yard touchdown run by Penn State commit Joey Schlaffer put the Eagles on top 15-0 with just less than three minutes before halftime. Schlaffer completed a 30-yard pass to Carter Redding on a trick play during that possession. The (1-3) Mustangs nearly scored on the final play of the second quarter. Delsin McNeil heaved a 33-yard pass to Jackson Parker down the left sideline, but the 6’2 junior was bumped out of bounds at the 1-yard line. Gov. Mifflin came out of the locker room and marched 67 yards. McNeil ended the drive with a 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal. He was stuffed on the 2-point conversion to keep it 15-6 in favor of the (4-0) Eagles. Rotelli responded by launching a 31-yard touchdown to Schlaffer with 4:20 remaining in the third quarter. The 6’6, 215-pound senior dragged two defenders into the end zone. Two minutes into the final period, Rotelli sprinted through a massive hole for a 27-yard touchdown that gave Exeter a 29-6 advantage. Messiah Robinson iced it with a 5-yard touchdown run with 4:16 left to go. Robinson, who was making his season debut, chipped in with 58 yards on nine carries. 215-pound senior Richie Karstien provided 137 yards on 19 touches. The Eagles outgained the Mustangs 413-to-257 yards. “It’s a big rivalry. It’s always been a matchup on the calendar that you circle. We’ve worked so hard for this. This is a game that I wanted so bad,” said Rotelli. He went 6-of-9 for 93 yards while also rushing for 86 yards. He’s completing 70% of his passes this year with 8TD and only one interception. Schlaffer reeled in four catches for 62 yards. Five of his fourteen receptions have gone for scores this season. Rotelli is thrilled to have a target like Schlaffer. He joked, “It’s like cheating, it really is. He’s a freak athlete.” Gov. Mifflin was hurt by two turnovers. Gerrell McNeil fumbled at the Eagles’ 30-yard line after a 14-yard grab over the middle late in the third quarter. Exeter immediately put together a 75-yard drive to go up by 23 points. The Mustangs were limited to 138 yards on the ground. Brayden Reis, a 180-pound senior, had a team-high 57 yards on eleven carries. Monmouth commit Ayden Martin only had three touches for 20 yards. Delsin McNeil was 5-of-12 for 119 yards. He was intercepted by Nate Pashley late in the second quarter. Only three starters returned for Gov. Mifflin from last season’s (10-1) squad. Meanwhile, the Eagles brought back six starters on each side of the ball. Rotelli and I had some fun discussing his favorite video game and NFL quarterbacks. We also talked about his favorite teachers and food. Pay attention for a special guest appearance by Schlaffer.