Dauble is one of nine seniors on Exeter’s roster. “We’re really close. We’ve been hanging out a lot over the weekends. The seniors and everybody are always getting team bonding in. I feel like that helps our chemistry on the court,” he noted. Dauble has been a model of consistency for head coach Jeff VanGorder. As a junior, he averaged 17 points and nine rebounds while shooting 45% from the field. Dauble is providing 15 ppg. and nearly ten boards while shooting 44% this year. He has always been known as a shooter. Dauble knocked down 42 treys a season ago when he was voted to the All-Division team. VanGorder emphasized what a great job he does on the glass. In the last three years, Dauble has pulled down 522 rebounds. He mentioned that his mom, who was a standout player at Lafayette, tells him before every game to get fifteen rebounds.

Dauble remarked that playing football has helped him with the physical aspects of basketball like rebounding. The 215-pound LB/TE helped the Eagles win ten games and reach the District 3-5A semifinals this past fall. He piled up a team-high 94 tackles to go along with 7.5 TFL, two sacks, and an interception. Those numbers earned him first team honors at linebacker in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Dauble also caught fifteen passes for 298 yards and five touchdowns. Dauble hasn’t decided yet where he wants to attend college, but he knows which sport he would prefer to play. “I’m definitely leaning towards football right now,” he acknowledged.

Dauble was a freshman on the 2022-23 Exeter basketball team that made history. The Eagles beat Manheim Central 67-53 for the program’s first District 3 championship. They advanced all the way to the PIAA-5A Final before falling to Justin Edwards and Imhotep Charter 78-40. Exeter lost to Reading that season in the BCIAA Championship. The Eagles haven’t captured a BCIAA title since 1974. “We don’t really talk about it, but we know in the back of our minds it’s a goal to get back there and try to win it. Hopefully this year is the year,” said Dauble.

Brown’s performance wasn’t the only positive news for #7 seed Exeter. Riley Martinez, a three-year starter, was back at quarterback. The 6’4, 205-pound senior returned faster than expected from a shoulder injury that he suffered in Week 2 at Boyertown. Martinez was 8-of-13 for 73 yards and a touchdown on a windy night in Reiffton. He was picked off by junior Tyler Newman on the opening drive. However, that didn’t slow down the (9-2) Eagles. Brown raced down the right sideline for a 44-yard score with 5:33 left in the first quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Elan Goeke fumbled without being hit. Braylon Reinert scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 27 yards for a touchdown. On third-and-14 late in the second quarter, Martinez found tight end Aidan Dauble for a first down at the 20-yard line. Martinez then hit Jayden Ware over the middle. The 6’2, 160-pound senior receiver broke a tackle and scooted down the left sideline for a 19-yard touchdown. Exeter was on top 21-0 at halftime.

Brown broke free up the middle for a 52-yard score with 8:37 left. Lower Dauphin trailed 28-0 and was in the uncomfortable position of having to throw the ball. During the regular season, the Falcons had just two touchdown passes and six interceptions. They were only averaging 69.2 passing yards per game. Lower Dauphin prefers to rely on Hunter Strohm between the tackles. The 6’2, 215-pound senior entered the night with 1,308 rushing yards and 23 TD on 200 carries. Strohm is a standout catcher who’s committed to Mississippi State for baseball. The Falcons’ offense was limited to 155 total yards by the Eagles. Lower Dauphin committed four turnovers including a 38-yard pick-6 by Reinert with 6:35 remaining. Defensive end Jackson Kozik, a transfer from Berks Catholic, hit Newman as he was attempting to throw. The pass went into Reinert’s chest and the 6’4, 225-pound junior linebacker ended up with his second touchdown of the evening. Donovyn Alvarez, a junior linebacker, came up with another interception on the next possession. Ware also had a pick for an Exeter defense that’s only allowing 9.8 points per game. Ware chipped in on offense with five receptions for 48 yards.

The Eagles finished with 344 total yards. As usual, Brown gave credit to the offensive line which consists of Kevin Oswalt, Matt Lis, Joel Ummarino, Andre Osborne, and Wyatt Richard from left to right. “Their size, their focus, their concentration, and the little details at practice really makes them who they are. They work so well together,” explained Brown. Oswalt, Richard, and Lis will return next season. Ummarino, the 273-pound center, and Osborne are seniors. Dauble is also a key blocker in the rushing attack at 6’4 and 215 pounds.

Exeter heads back to Conestoga Valley next Friday in the District 3-5A quarterfinals. The (10-0) Buckskins beat the Eagles 21-17 in Week 9. Conestoga Valley rallied from a 17-7 deficit with three minutes to go. “It was a real heartbreaker. We’re so determined to make that right,” stated Brown.