Matt Bauer-Exeter

Most coaches would be thrilled with a 17-point win in the postseason, but Matt Bauer knows the Eagles made too many mistakes in a 38-21 victory over #10 South Western. #7 Exeter led 20-0 early in the second quarter of the District 3-5A opening round matchup. The Mustangs took back the momentum and trailed 20-14 late in the third quarter. 6’3 senior quarterback Shilo Bivins threw 2TD passes and ran for another score. The Eagles put together a 97-yard drive that took five minutes off the clock and put them in control midway through the fourth quarter when Colin Payne found Carson Schmidt for a 15-yard TD pass on 4th & 6. Bauer told me that he suggested a screen pass to offensive coordinator J.P. Gibbons and it worked to perfection on that series. 220-pound fullback Ty Yocum rumbled for 59 yards down the left sideline. Bauer called Yocum, “one in a million.” Yocum had eight carries for 63 yards and a TD to go along with three catches for 82 yards. The senior linebacker also came up with an INT. Bauer said Eric Nangle and Schmidt are both unselfish players who have key roles in an electric offense. Nangle ran for 137 yards and a TD on 19 carries. Schmidt added 2TD receptions. Bauer has guided Exeter to the District 3 playoffs in ten of the last eleven seasons. Next up, a trip to #2 Manheim Central in the quarterfinals. The Barons are (9-1).