Williams, Johnson, Royer savor win over Susquehanna Township

Fabulous game last Friday night for the District 3 Triple-A championship in frosty Hersheypark Stadium.

Manheim Central 35, Susquehanna Township 29 in a game that more than lived up to its billing.

The Barons, who won district championship No. 16, never trailed. But the Indians sure gave Central a game, with senior QB Ben Dupree dashing and making plays all over the place.

Just when you thought the Barons had it wrapped up, back came Dupree and Susquehanna Township to make it mighty interesting.

Two huge plays stood out:

First, Dakota Royer’s interception and 36-yard return for a touchdown.

And Derek Hart’s recovery of a Susquehanna Township onside kick with time dwindling.

Plenty of big plays to go around.

Video of Dakota Royer after the game here.

Video of Derek Hart after the game here.

My postgame video wrap-up here.

After the game, I caught up with Central coach Mike Williams, Barons’ LB Lowen Johnson – who was playing with a purpose – and Royer.

You can listen to those audio Podcast interviews here …

As cool as career win No. 300 was for Manheim Central coach Mike Williams, he enjoyed career win No. 301 a lot more.

That victory came last Friday night in Hersheypark Stadium, when the Barons held off Susquehanna Township 35-29 in the District 3 Triple-A championship game.

It was the 16th district title for the Barons – and the first since 2005. After falling to West York in last year’s title game, about the only thing Central has been thinking about for the last year was getting back to the title game and finishing the job.

The Barons did that Friday against a very pesky, very game Susquehanna Township team, which battled to the bitter end.

I chatted with Coach Williams about the win over the Indians, about winning crown No. 16, and about moving on to the state playoffs.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.

 

Lowen Johnson had plenty of motivation to help Manheim Central win the District 3 Triple-A championship. That’s practically the only thing he and his teammates have been focused on the last year.

But Johnson had a little extra motivation on his side in the form of a Guardian Angel – his grandmother.

Johnson’s grandmother lost her battle with ALS this past summer, and the Barons’ senior slugger LB dedicated himself – in his grandmother’s honor – to help Central not only get back to the district title game, but win the whole shebang.

Mission accomplished.

Johnson, who said his late grandmother was his biggest fan, and told her grandson to work hard and help his teammates win it all, has been involved with ALS work. He participated in an ALS walk-a-thon this past summer, and he wears the t-shirt from the event under his game jersey every Friday night.

I chatted with Johnson after Central’s 35-29 win over Susquehanna Township about his relationship about his grandmother, about playing in her honor, and about winning the district title.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

You can also download the Podcast and listen to it on your favorite mp3 player by clicking here.

 

Big players make big plays in big games.

Dakota Royer is a big player.

The District 3 Triple-A championship is a big game.

And Royer’s interception and 36-yard pick-6 in the fourth quarter was a big play, helping Manheim Central hold off Susquehanna Township 35-29 last Friday night in Hersheypark Stadium.

Royer and his defensive mates spent the night chasing Indians’ QB Ben Dupree around. To his credit, Dupree made plenty of big plays and he tuned in a scintillating performance.

But Royer came up big when it mattered most: Picking off a pass near the sideline right in front of Central’s bench, and then bobbing and weaving his way for a touchdown.

I chatted with Royer about his pick-6, about trying to defend Dupree all night, and about winning the 16th district championship in the history of the program.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

You can also download the Podcast and listen to it on your favorite mp3 player by clicking here.