Special teams doom Upper Dublin in 5A semifinal loss to Manheim Central

LOWER GWYNEDD >> Upper Dublin knew it was going to have a battle on its hands Friday night against a Manheim Central team loaded with talent on both sides of the ball.

The game became even more difficult when the Cardinals special teams mistakes started adding up.

Three of Manheim Central’s four touchdowns were set up by great field position in the 34-12 PIAA Class-5A semifinal at Wissahickon High School.

The District 3 champion Barons blocked two punts in the first half and turned the great field position into touchdowns both times.

“You can’t give them special teams points,” Upper Dublin coach Bret Stover said. “That’s the bottom line.”

The first came midway through the first quarter. The Cardinals were punting from their own 24-yard line and the ball was partially blocked, setting Manheim Central up at the Upper Dublin 45.

Four plays later it was 7-0.

Early in the second quarter, Upper Dublin lined up to punt it away from their own 27. This time Manheim’s Tyler Hartl got all of it. He blocked it back behind punter Chris Barbera and jumped on it at the six.

Three plays later the Barons made it 14-0.

“It would have been a different game if none of that (stuff) happened,” Cardinals senior Lucas Roselli said.
Upper Dublin scored its first points with just over two minutes left in the first half, cutting its deficit to 14-6 and in line to receive the opening kickoff in the second half.

But Manheim returned the ensuing kickoff across midfield to the Cardinals 45.

A five-play drive resulted in another touchdown and the teams went into the half, 21-6.

“The kick return was big before halftime,” Stover said, “because if we can go in 14-6 it’s a whole different mindset, it’s a whole different game. To their credit they were able to number one get it to midfield and then they were able to put it in the end zone. It’s unfortunate, but that’s football.”

Upper Dublin needed a spark to start the second half and appeared to get it when Roselli returned the opening kick inside Manheim’s 20-yard line. The momentum was short-lived, however, because the play was called back for holding and the ball was spotted way back at Upper Dublin’s 23.

“It was tough,” an emotional Roselli said of seeing his return get called back.

The hold was one of Upper Dublin’s 10 penalties in the game, totalling 70 yards. Manheim committed three penalties for 20 yards.