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York Suburban wraps up first division title since 1980s


York Suburban wrapped up its first outright division title since 1982 with Friday's 30-7 victory against Eastern York in both teams' regular-season finale.

It was a festive night for the Trojans. In addition to securing the YAIAA Division II crown, the team also honored its outgoing seniors before the game, and wide receiver Collin Mailman eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards on the season.

The Trojans finish the regular season unbeaten in the division at 8-0, with an 8-2 overall record.

"Coach took us into the gym (before the game) and showed us the last banner that the football team put up," said Suburban quarterback Thomas Merkle, who threw for 351 yards. "It means a lot to us to even be in this opportunity to win the division and go to playoffs. That's what we've been working for our whole careers."

Despite being the favored team coming into Friday's game, the Trojans didn't get on the scoreboard until the second quarter. Merkle ran the ball in from the 1-yard line to give Suburban a 6-0 lead. A 20-yard pass to Jadon Haynes moved the Trojans ahead 13-0 after a successful point-after attempt.

The Trojans defense put the pressure on Eastern to force several three-and-outs, and they tacked on a field goal to end the first half. After recovering a Golden Knights fumble in the red zone, Suburban made it 23-0 with 9:01 left in the fourth quarter off a 33-yard pass to Mailman.

A 68-yard touchdown pass to Haynes made it 30-0, but Eastern scored a touchdown late in the game to end the shutout bid.

"Eastern plays tough football," Suburban head coach Andy Loucks said. "So we just had to match their toughness and it was a little bit of an ugly game. But you just keep playing for four quarters, and we knew if we did and we came out on top, we would have the championship."

Mailman's 108 yards in the Trojans' win capped off a strong season that saw him set the Suburban records for catches in a career and receiving yards in a career. He also set the the York County record for career receiving yards. The senior receiver acknowledged the accomplishments he has reached and how special it is to set those records, but his focus remains on the team.

"It was definitely really cool," he said. "All of the work that has built up to this, but what really matters is our record going into the playoffs. And if we can keep this rolling into the playoffs."

Eastern York0007—7York Suburban016014—30

Second Quarter

YS — Thomas Merkle 1 run (missed kick), 9:03

YS — Jadon Haynes 20 pass from Merkle (Jonas Atkinson kick), 6:43

YS — Atkinson 30 field goal, 0:00

Fourth Quarter

YS — Collin Mailman 33 pass from Merkle (Atkinson kick), 9:01

YS — Haynes 68 pass from Merkle (Atkinson kick), 7:37

EY — Sam Pollock 1 run (LaCates kick), :46

EYYSFirst downs1210Rushes-Yards39-16810-30Passing2-924-32Passing Yards42351Total Yards210381Punts6-751-26Fumbles-Lost3-21-1Penalties-Yards4-552-15
Individual Statistics

Rushing — EY, Logan Klein 14-54, Shane Carberry 3-14, Brennan Shenk 2-11, Seth Bernstein, 2-11, Ryan Kalke 5-19, Jimmy Kurnik 4-16, Pollock 9-43. YS, Dajour Henderson 3-9, Teague Hoffman 3-9, Merkle 2-8, Travis Edwards 1-3, Justice Gettle 1-1.

Passing — EY, Ryan Kalke 2-9-42. YS, Merkle 24-32-351-1

Receiving — EY, Seth Bernstein 2-42. YS, Brad Smith 4-28, Mailman 8-111, Colin Deardorf 3-30, Teague Hoffman 3-60, Dajour Henderson 2-14, Haynes 4-108.