WATERBURRY, Conn. –
Gary Raupers II punched in the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute to play in the game to cap a 14-point fourth quarter rally and lift Mansfield past Post 14-10 on Saturday at LaMoy Field.
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Post (1-3, 1-2 CSFL North) marched down to the Mountaineer 2-yard line on its opening possession, but the Mansfield (1-3, 0-3 CSFL South) defense stiffened to limit the Eagles to a field goal. Later in the quarter, Post recovered a fumble for a touchdown to increase its lead to 10-0.
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Neither side could get much going offensively in the second and third quarters as Post hung on to a 10-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
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On Mansfield's second drive of the fourth quarter,
David Butler recorded 29 of his 99 rushing yards on the day and capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown to cut the Post lead to 10-7. On the ensuing drive, Post moved the ball into Mansfield territory, but the Mountie defense came up with another critical stop to force a punt.
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Facing a three-point deficit and 6:30 to pay in the game, Mansfield got the ball back on its own 5-yard line. A 19-yard rush by Raupers got the Mounties out of the shadow of their own endzone before Butler ripped off a 22-yard run to move Mansfield to midfield. The Mountaineers used a grinding 11-play drive capped by Raupers 1-yard touchdown rush to take the lead with 1:24 to play in the game.
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Chase Moser and
Kayin Berger came up with a sack on first down before the Mansfield defense forced three incomplete passes to end the game.
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Butler averaged 9.0 yards a rush, totaling 99 yards on 11 chances.
Jayden Walker netted 48 yards and Raupers 44 yards.
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Bryton Barna recorded a team-high 10 tackles, including five solo stops.
Nick Yarnevich had six tackles and
Dajuan Buie five with a forced fumble.
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The win gives Mansfield a 5-3 all-time series lead over Post and marks the third straight victory over the Eagles dating back to 2015.
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The Mountaineers host Franklin Pierce on Saturday for Homecoming 2018. Kick-off at Karl Van Norman Field is set for 1 p.m.
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