Donegal secured its first victory in the John Manion era, beating Elizabethtown 21-14 in a nonleague game on Friday at Mount Joy.

“I’m just happy for these kids not just that they won, but the way they won,” Manion said. “They won because they came back. They won because they kept believing in one another. They won because they’ve bought into what we’re trying to do.”

Manion is back on the sidelines as a head coach for the first time stepping down at Lampeter-Strasburg following the 2020 season. He compiled a 177-84 record and won eight section titles and three District 3 championships during his 23 seasons, leading the Pioneers.

Now, he’s 1-0 with the Indians.

The Bears seemed the have the early momentum. Prince Wratto ran all over the field as he tallied 47 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown run to give Elizabethtown a 7-0 lead.

“He’s a heck of a football player and if you don’t fully wrap him, he’s going to make you pay,” Manion said. “If you over pursue a step, he’s going to make you pay.”

Quarterback Chase Marshall’s 3-yard run got the Indians within 7-6 at the half.

But once the second half began, it became a different ballgame.

Elizabethtown’s Kolton Eckinger missed two 50/50 balls that if they were caught would’ve been touchdowns.

“There’s a lot of 50/50 balls we didn’t come up with tonight,” Elizabethtown coach Tom Gallagher said. “A lot of missed opportunities on our end.”

Eckinger showed flashes after going 5-for-7 for 74 yards in the first half, including three completions of more than 15 yards, one a 33-yard gain.

Wratto also struggled in the second half. He rushed the ball three times for 6 yards and had two fumbles.

“Hats off to Donegal,” Gallagher said. “I think they’re a good football team, and I know they’re well coached. I think we left some plays out there for us. I think we’ll turn it around. We’ll come back as a better football team after tonight.”
Donegal’s stars started to show out in the second half. Marshall and running back Leelan Baughman were a dynamic duo.

Baughman had 58 yards and a touchdown in the back half of the game.

“Leelan’s an incredible kid and I think when you focus too much on him, you’re going to miss the other side of the play,” Manion said. “So yeah, when you need a play Leelan’s the guy.”

Marshall ran for 52 yards and also connected with almost every target. The senior went 9-for-14 for 86 yards and a touchdown, a 9-yard pass to Angel Mendez that gave Donegal the lead in the third quarter.

“I was really pumped,” Manion said. “Chase has wanted to show that he could pass and run, and we were able to take advantage of both aspects of his game today.”

Elizabethtown tied it at 14-14 on a 28-yard screen pass from Eckinger to Ryan Brisbane early in the fourth.

Baughman then put Donegal back ahead on a 9-yard run.
The play that sealed it was an interception by defensive lineman Jordon Woods with 3:11 left.

“I love Jordon,” Manion said. “Jordon is such a positive kid. He’s a captain, he’s there for everybody else. The funniest thing was being right next to him, watching his eyes bug out, he didn’t even know what to do once he caught the ball.”

The Indians closed out the game after that interception on the backs of Marshall and Baughman.

“I can’t think of a better way to secure that win than Leelan and Chase running the ball after a play like that by my man Jordon,” Manion said.