His performance impeccable, quarterback Skyler Hunt and his Red Land ensemble certainly proved a Sunday matinee could equal the rhythm and pageantry of those Friday-night sellouts.

Hunt dissected host Mechanicsburg for 250 passing yards and two touchdowns before adding a 1-yard keeper deep in the fourth quarter that banked the Patriots' 28-13 Mid-Penn Keystone victory at John Frederick Field.

Earlier, the defiant Wildcats managed to slice Red Land's cushion to eight points and held possession near midfield. Hunt, however, guided his stellar supporting cast 69 yards in 13 plays to keep the Patriots unbeaten through eight energizing weeks.

"We watched film and saw some of the tendencies they like to do and just took advantage," said Hunt, who was 19-for-25 and connected with seven receivers, none bigger than sure-handed senior Teed Wertz.

The 6-0 Wertz lassoed eight passes for 132 yards, including Hunt's 23-yard scoring strike with under two minutes left in the opening half.

"We were taking what they gave us, but we're used to teams giving us their best," Hunt said.

Gaining the upper hand midway through the first quarter, Hunt orchestrated two 11-play scoring drives on Red Land's first two possessions. The first ended with an 11-yard flip to Kyle Otstot, the second a 2-yard blast by running back Dan Yenger.

It was Otstot's first and last reception as the senior buckled under a defender and did not return "as a precaution," said Pats coach Frank Gay.

Minutes later, Mechanicsburg displayed its own offensive mettle, churning 12 plays in just under five minutes. Erik Lewis (11 carries, 47 yards) plunged in from the 1.

Two minutes later, Mechanicsburg's failed on-side kick attempt handed Hunt a short field. The senior found Ethan Noss once, for 16 yards, and Wertz twice to put Red Land (8-0, 5-0) in charge.

"This is a young football team and we've had our struggles, but we've got to learn how to win," said Mechanicsburg co-head coach Chris Hakel. "We've got to convince ourselves that we're a good football team and belong out there.

"It's not a real fancy passing game. It's not all bells and whistles, but when you've got [Hunt] back there that can pull the trigger and make smart decisions, that's what it's about."

With Mechanicsburg (2-6, 0-5) still trailing 21-7, 'Cats grinder Tarik Leftenant found traction late in the third quarter. Leftenant carried four times for 49 of his 77 rushing yards, eventually finding the end zone with 10:34 to go. Ben Anderson's conversion attempt, however, sailed wide right.

Red Land's defense, paced by tackle Aubrey Moore (two sacks), forced one final three-and-out near midfield, which let Hunt manage the final 6:44. The signal-caller converted two third downs, and RB Junior Rodriguez pounded for 5 yards on a delicate fourth-and-4 at Mechanicsburg's 12, to seal it.

Wildcats QB Jake Zeigler, pressed all afternoon, managed 133 yards.

ERIC F. EPLER: 255-8187 or eepler@patriot-news.com

Red Land fends off Wildcats

By Travis L. Pickens

Monday, October 22, 2007 

Teed Wertz might as well have been sporting a suit, tie and briefcase as he exited Memorial Park Stadium on Sunday evening.

Despite his team-high six catches for 115 yards with a touchdown and a game-ending interception on defense, Wertz talked as though his big game, which lifted Red Land to a 28-13 Keystone Division win at Mechanicsburg, was just another day at the office.

In fact, the 6-foot, 150-pound senior didn’t even know he eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the third time this season.

“Did I really,” said Wertz, who gave the credit to his quarterback, Skyler Hunt. “Sometimes I don’t even know the ball is coming and it hits me right in the chest. Skyler makes it happen every time, no matter the situation.”

Red Land (8-0, 5-0 Keystone) held a 21-13 lead with 6:45 to play when Hunt took charge.

The senior quarterback, who hit 15 of 20 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns, capped a 13-play, 69-yard drive with a 1-yard quarterback sneak into the end zone to set the final with 1:37 remaining.

“Every team comes out and gives us their best shot,” Hunt said. “We just have to be ready for it.”

Mechanicsburg (2-6, 0-5) was no exception.

On their make-shift homecoming -- the game was postponed from Friday due to thunder storms -- the Wildcats came out swinging.

Mechanicsburg quarterback Jake Zeigler found Ben Anderson for a 44-yard pass on the second play of the game to put the Wildcats into Red Land territory. But, as was the case most of the afternoon, Mechanicsburg came up empty.

The Wildcats, who have lost six straight, converted only two of five trips across the 50-yard line into points.

“This is a young football team and we’ve had our struggles,” said Mechanicsburg co-head coach Chris Hakel, who started only two seniors Sunday. “We have to learn how to win. We were playing against a very good Red Land team and sometimes I feel like we’re playing against ourselves. We have to convince ourself that we’re a good football team and belong out there as well.”

Until Red Land’s last time-consuming drive, the Wildcats matched the visitors punch for punch.

Erik Lewis’ 1-yard touchdown 3:24 before halftime pulled Mechanicsburg within 14-7 but the ensuing kickoff was short and Mike Fedor fell on the ball at his own 49.

“I don’t think we really felt threatened that we were in a close game,” Red Land coach Frank Gay said. “But that’s our kids. We know we have the firepower to get back into it. That’s what we do.”

Four plays later Wertz had his touchdown -- a 23-yarder up the middle of a befuddled Wildcats secondary -- and Red Land regained its 14-point lead.

“(Red Land doesn’t have) a real fancy passing game,” Hakel said. “There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles ... when you have someone back there who can pull the trigger and make smart decisions, that’s what it’s about.

“(Hunt) makes the throws quick, that’s the biggest thing.”

Thanks to all the quick hitters, only one of Hunt’s completions went for longer than 27 yards. At the same time, only four equalled less than 10.

“We watched (Mechanicsburg) on film and saw that they had some tendencies that we could take advantage of the whole game,” Hunt said. “They were dropping into zone (coverage) so we had to hit something real quick up the middle and get going.”

Tarik Leftenant, who rushed 12 times for a team-high 78 yards, ran around right side for a 10-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make it 21-13 after a missed extra point.

The teams traded series before Red Land, which survived 10 penalties for 80 yards, went on its long march to finish Mechanicsburg off.

“I don’t like to lose but these kids, with everything they’ve gone through this year, deserve to win,” Hakel said. “At the same time, from where we were last Friday (a 49-7 loss to Gettysburg), I thought we competed a lot better.”

Hunt found Kyle Otstot open over the middle for an 11-yard touchdown in the first quarter and Dan Yenger bulled in from the 2 early in the second quarter for a 14-0 Patriots lead.

Notes: Caitlin Taylor was recognized as homecoming queen prior to the game. The award was given out at Saturday night’s dance. ... After scoring the touchdown Otstot suffered a sprained ankle and didn’t return. ... Mechanicsburg leads the all-time series 16-14. ... Red Land hosts Gettysburg on Friday while Mechanicsburg travels to Hershey in Keystone action. Both games kick at 7 p.m.