JEFFREY REINHART jreinhart@LNPnews.com
It is called Razorback.
And although Manheim Township only used that offensive formation 14 times last Friday night in its Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 showdown against Warwick, it certainly kept the Warriors guessing.
“It was enough to keep them unsettled on defense,” Township coach Mike Melnyk said.
So what is Razorback?
Based on the University of Arkansas offense, when the Razorbacks slide multi-purpose running back Darren McFadden into the shotgun behind center, take direct snaps and let him use his legs to make plays, Melnyk enlisted the skills of junior running back Dan Wertz to line up in the shotgun, take direct snaps and get Township’s offense started.
End result: Wertz rushed for 191 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead Township to a 38-0 win over Warwick, handing the Warriors their first loss this season and helping the Streaks (2-0 league, 4-1) take over sole possession of first place in Section 1.
For his efforts, Wertz is the New Era Player of the Week.
One of the reasons Melnyk employed the Razorback package against Warwick was because Township was down to its second-string quarterback – sophomore Jon Yuko – after senior starter Mark Mellinger was lost for the season with a collarbone injury.
To take some of the pressure off Yuko, who was making his first varsity start, Razorback it was.
“I knew that was the formation we needed to put in, and we introduced it to the kids and practiced it right away on Monday,” Melnyk said. “Dan was excited when it worked and he was able to get some big plays out of it. Once he had some success, he enjoyed it.”
Wertz scored on TD runs of 36 yards in the first quarter and 17 yards in the second quarter while piling up a career-high 191 yards.
And then he sat down with us on Monday for the New Era’s Five Questions:
YOU GUYS KNOCKED OFF WARWICK, WHICH WAS UNBEATEN COMING IN. THAT HAD TO FEEL GOOD.
“It was a really, really big win. And since Warwick beat Wilson, it put us on top of the section right now. So I thought that made it a statement win. Our defense played great. Our secondary played great. It was great to beat them. But we know we have to keep working hard.”
TELL US MORE ABOUT RAZORBACK.
“It was something new we put in, hoping it would work. And it worked out awesome. I was able to learn it pretty quickly, and I was excited about it. It was a challenge, and I wanted to get it down because I knew it would be a big factor in our game plan. And I hadn’t played quarterback since Midgets. I just wanted to help out the team, and I had a lot of fun doing it. It was definitely my best game this year, and maybe the best game of my career.”
WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO, BUT YOU GUYS ARE 2-0 AND ATOP THE SECTION. HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE LAST FIVE WEEKS?
“We still have great teams to play, and we can’t underestimate anyone. Wilson is a great team. McCaskey has great athletes. Reading has great athletes. Cedar Crest. Penn Manor. You never, ever know. We’re happy where we’re at. We like that we sort of have our own destiny in our hands. But we have to keep working hard.”
YOU HAVE AN ALL-AMERICAN KICKER, SENIOR DAVID SOLDNER, AT YOUR DISPOSAL. HE’S GOT SEVEN FIELD GOALS, MOST IN THE LEAGUE. MUST BE NICE HAVING HIM ON SPECIAL TEAMS?
“He’s amazing. He helps us so much. He’s so clutch. Like on kickoffs, he’s always in the end zone, and that’s a huge bonus making them go 80 yards. He’s just a great, great kicker. He always gets the job done.”
YOU CAN HAVE DINNER WITH THREE PEOPLE. WHO ARE THEY? WHERE ARE YOU TAKING THEM? AND WHAT ARE YOU ORDERING?
“Dan Marino, because he was a great player and I’m a big Dolphins fan. Muhammad Ali, because he was a great competitor and is the best ever in his sport. And I’d say Bill Gates. I’d like to find out how he made himself a multi-billionaire. If I’m paying, we’re going to McDonald’s for the Dollar Menu. If I’m not paying I’d take them to the nicest restaurant I can find in the area. And I’ll have the steak.”
