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.

Exeter went 51 yards on its opening drive and took a 7-0 lead on Brown’s 24-yard run up the middle. “We were able to get the momentum. Once we got that, we just kept rolling. It snowballs,” emphasized Brown. The Mustangs opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 39-yard line on the ensuing possession. Senior defensive lineman Andre Osborne tripped up fullback Nick Kalis for no gain. Jake Hafer then hit Aidan Dauble for a 36-yard gain. Hafer, who has stepped in again this year at quarterback for an injured Riley Martinez, ran two yards off the left side for a 14-0 advantage. On the final play of the first quarter, Hafer found a wide open Braylon Reinert. The 6’4, 225-pound tight end rumbled 54 yards to set up Brown’s 3-yard touchdown run. After a bad snap on the extra point, Jayden Ware threw the ball to Reinert for two points and a 22-0 edge with 11:18 remaining in the first half. The Mustangs got on the scoreboard six minutes later when quarterback Lebron Leaf bounced off tacklers down the left sideline for a 37-yard score. Leaf also made an interception late in the second quarter. Brown’s third touchdown came with 3:36 left before halftime. His 19-yard run capped a 74-yard drive and increased the Eagles’ lead to 29-7. Osborne, Joel Ummarino, Kevin Oswalt, Matt Lis, and Wyatt Richard opened big holes all night long. “I couldn’t ask for a better line. I love them, they make it happen. I’m just the one who puts the ball in the end zone. They’re the ones that create the way,” remarked Brown. His speed certainly helps. Brown ran the 200 meters in 22.3 seconds during the spring. He has already piled up 576 yards and nine touchdowns on 65 carries this year.

Ware started the second half with a bang. The 6’2, 160-pound senior returned the kickoff 95 yards to put Exeter in front 36-7. Ware had a punt return touchdown called back earlier in the game due to a penalty. The Eagles committed eleven penalties overall. Josh Jackson made it 43-7 on a 21-yard touchdown run with five minutes to play in the third quarter. The Mustangs got a 2-yard touchdown run from sophomore Trever King midway through the fourth quarter. Exeter outgained Gov. Mifflin 406-to-166. The Eagles churned out 310 yards on the ground.

Exeter brought back seven starters on each side of the ball from a team that went (12-2) in 2024. The Eagles finished second in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. They lost to Bishop McDevitt 48-14 in the District 3-5A Championship. Brown has high hopes this fall. “We’re coming to win it all, without a doubt,” he said.