The Muhlenberg Weekly

Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Sports

Two weeks ago, the Muhlenberg Mules were soaring, as they had beaten a very good Salisbury team to make it to the second round of the playoffs. However, they were then dealt the tough task of having to face the only opponent to defeat Salisbury in the regular season: Wesley College. Wesley also became the only opponent to defeat the Mules, beating them 38-21, and ended a previously perfect season as well as a 12-game winning streak.

The Mules seemed to have all the momentum in the first half, as junior running back John DeLuca ran 51 yards off a kick on the opening drive. Nine plays later, junior quarterback Eric Santagato found sophomore wide receiver Phil Cresta for the first touchdown of the day. That would be the Mules' only lead of the day.

The defense initially stepped up to the challenge, forcing three fumbles, including a blocked punt. However, the Mules' offense could never capitalize. They were stopped once on a 4th and 1 on the Wolverines' 26-yard line, another time by an intentional grounding call, and yet againt at a missed field goal attempt. The Wolverines scored late in the first half, which gave momentum to the Atlantic Central Football Conference Champions.

In the second half, Wesley's running back Aaron Jackson took over, as he scored on runs of 41 and 89 yards within the first two minutes, putting the Wesley Wolverines up 21-7. They would later go up 28-7 with a score early in the fourth quarter. Santagato would add two touchdown runs, each from a yard out, but by the time he scored his second touchdown, the score was 35-21 with 7:28 left in the game. Wesley would add a field goal, and will now be featured in the regional finals against Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Although the season ended sooner than the Mules could have hoped, it was still a fantastic season for our Mules. Once predicted to finish fifth in Conference play, the Mules defied all the critics by winning the Centennial Conference Championship outright, as well as finishing the regular season with a perfect record.

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