Football

Week 9 LebCo High School Football Results

by
LebCoSports Staff
October 21, 2023

With Week 9 of high school football action now complete, we wanted to start providing game capsules even as we continue to get information about the games, such as official stats, compiled over the next few days.

This piece will be updated as soon as we get the information necessary. Essentially, this will be a working document for the next few days. Keep checking back as we make updates.

For any questions, comments, or discrepancies, please reach out to dan@lebcosports.com.

LebCo Week 9 Score Reel

ELCO 12, Donegal 0

The Raiders entered Friday’s matchup with Donegal knowing that they had to win in order to have a shot at returning to Districts. ELCO received good news on the medical front, as the doctor cleared senior linebacker/fullback Elliott Kreider to play with his broken hand. However, they also knew that senior running back Jake Williams was only going to be available if absolutely necessary, given a nagging back injury.

Being down their top two ball carriers, the rest of the team would need to step up if they were to win this game against the visiting Indians. On the first drive of the game, aggressive play calling and Donegal penalties set up Ellis Gensamer to answer the call. Gensamer scored on a 13-yard rush to give ELCO a 6-0 lead. On the ensuing possession, Donegal would fumble it away, with Elliott Kreider making a big defensive play. However, the rainy conditions would be a storyline all on their own in all of the games being played throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Early on in the 2^nd quarter, the Raiders drove the field again, setting up for quarterback Steven Rosado to punch it in from 1 yard out. This gave ELCO a 12-0 lead with just over 10 minutes left to play in the 1^st half. Those numbers would remain on the scoreboard for the duration of the contest as the ELCO defense stymied Donegal’s attempts to get back into the game.

Junior running back Mitchell Frederick was named the Player of the Game by the broadcast team at Froggy Valley/WLBR, as he led the Raiders in rushing yards.

The Raiders move to 6-3 on the season. Berks Catholic awaits the Raiders in Week 10, as ELCO looks make sure that they have their spot in Districts wrapped up.

Coach’s Thoughts

On Saturday, we spoke to Coach Miller about his team’s performance on Friday night. He had this to say:

“It was a great effort by the defense at all levels. Lockdown. Offensively, the kids stepped up, like Mitchell Frederick, Ellis Gensamer, Elliott Kreider, and Steven Rosado. As always the o-line got it done when we needed it most.”

ELCO Stats

Rushing: Mitchell Frederick – 16 carries, 78 yards; Ellis Gensamer – 15 carries, 67 yards, TD; Gavin Bicher – 6 carries, 15 yards; Steven Rosado – 3 carries, 3 yards, TD; Austin Yesko – 1 carry, -3 yards; Elliott Kreider – 3 carries, 15 yards

Passing: Steven Rosado – 3/6, 39 yards

Receiving: James Prosser – 1 reception, 23 yards; Mitchell Frederick – 2 receptions, 16 yards

Cedar Crest 49, Hempfield 28

Cedar Crest came into Week 9 with a 6-2 record and fresh off their 42-point victory over McCaskey. This week, they had to travel to take on a struggling Hempfield team, which offered the perfect opportunity for a trap game. The Falcons were going to have to be prepared for anything from the Black Knights.

Cedar Crest struck quickly in hopes of ending any upset hopes early when they forced a turnover via a fumble in the wet conditions. Fernando Marquez then found the end zone on a 2-yard run to cap off a 5 play, 15-yard drive. Hempfield would respond with a touchdown of their own to tie up the score at 7-7 before the end of the 1^st quarter.

A Malachi Victor interception on the first play of the 2^nd quarter gave the Falcons the ball on the 3-yard line. Alejandro Abreu got the call and punched it in to give the Falcons a 13-7 lead. However, the Black Knights would again score last in the quarter to give them a 14-13 halftime lead and dreams of an upset on their minds.

The Falcons came back onto the field and quickly set to put Hempfield away. On the second play of the half, Marquez broke a 36-yard run for his second touchdown of the night. Owen Chernich ran in the two-point conversion to give Cedar Crest a 21-14 lead.

Marquez wasn’t done yet. On the next possession, he finished off a successful drive with a 6-yard run to give the Falcons a 28-14 lead late in the 3^rd quarter.

Hempfield responded on the first play of the 4^th quarter to make it a 28-21 game. However, Cedar Crest quarterback Jackson Custer would break a 44-yard touchdown run to give the Falcons some breathing room prior to another Hempfield score.

With the score 35-28, Marquez used a handoff on the first play of the drive to score on a 59-yard run with just under eight minutes remaining. Leo Tirado then had an interception that he returned 51 yards for a touchdown. That Pick Six ended the scoring with the final being 49-28.

Marquez had another standout performance, scoring four touchdowns for the second straight game.

Cedar Crest is now 7-2. They will now prepare for a Thursday night game when they will host Lebanon in the Cedar Bowl.

Cedar Crest Stats

Rushing: Fernando Marquez – 14 carries, 139 yards, 4 TD; Jackson Custer – 8 carries, 59 yards; Alejandro Abreu – 8 carries, 37 yards

Passing: Jackson Custer – 14/21. 158 yards, INT

Receiving: Aiden Schomp – 6 receptions, 77 yards; Owen Chernich – 5 receptions, 49 yards; Jack Waranavage – 2 receptions, 23 yards; Caleb Dorshimer – 1 reception, 9 yards

Defensive Leaders: Richie Hernandez – 9 total tackles, 2 solo, forced fumble; Owen Chernich – 8 total tackles, 3 solo; Caleb Dorshimer – 8 assists; Kenyon Figueroa – 7 total tackles, 1 solo, fumble rceovery; Cameron Simone – 7 total tackles, 1 solo, .5 sack; Aiden Schomp – 6 total tackles, 1 solo, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack; Tristan Long – 6 total tackles, 1 solo, .5 sack; Leo Tirado – 4 assists, INT, TD; Landyn Kline – 5 assists, INT; Malachi Victor – 3 total tackles, 1 solo, INT; Garrett Starry – 2 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 forced fumble

Schuylkill Valley 14, Annville-Cleona 13

In a highly anticipated matchup, Annville-Cleona hosted a dangerous Schuylkill Valley team on Friday night. Both entered the game with undefeated records in Section 5, with one week remaining. Rain and tough defenses made this anyone’s game from the start.

Just under three minutes into the game, Schuylkill Valley found the end zone on a pass play. A defensive back-and-forth kept the score at 7-0 for the remainder of the 1^st quarter.

Early on in the 2^nd quarter, Annville would respond when Cael Harter found the end zone for the fifth time in the past two games. A successful Mina Elzek PAT knotted the game at 7-7. After the second Schuylkill Valley lost fumble, quarterback Cameron Connelly executed a sneak from the 1-yard line. With the extra point kick blocked, the Dutchmen would hold a 13-7 lead at halftime.

Schuylkill Valley came back onto the field after halftime and scored on the first play from scrimmage, a 59-yard run into the end zone. With the PAT, the visitors took a 14-13 lead.

Throughout the 2^nd half, the two teams continuously stopped each other’s offenses. Annville would have one more chance to score when they had to settle for a 37-yard field goal attempt with :03 showing on the clock. While Elzek’s kick had the distance in the high-pressure situation, it pushed wide left and ended the game with Schuylkill Valley hanging on for the win.

Annville-Cleona now holds a 6-3 record with a 5-1 record in Section 5. With a share of the Section Championship still on the line, the Dutchmen will play Northern Lebanon in Week 10 ahead of a trip into the District 3 playoffs.

Coach’s Thoughts

After having some time to process the sting of defeat, we caught up with Annville-Cleona Head Coach Matt Gingrich who had this to say about what was essentially a championship game:

“The kids battled all night, so we are really proud of them for their effort. Nonetheless, we were unable to match their physicality up front. In a championship game, you have to be able to make a lot of key plays, and we missed out on them. We look forward to getting out and getting another opportunity to play this Friday.”

Annville-Cleona Stats

Rushing: Cael Harter – 19 carries, 110 yards, TD; Bryce Keller – 14 carries, 32 yards; Cameron Connelly – 19 carries, 66 yards, TD; Jonathan Shay – 2 carries, 8 yards

Passing: Cameron Connelly – 1/6, 6 yards; Wyatt Mase – 0/1

Receiving: Cael Harter – 1 reception, 6 yards

Defensive Leaders: Cael Harter – 11 total tackles, 9 solo; Luke Wentling – 10 total tackles, 7 solo, 1 fumble recovery; Bryce Keller – 7 total tackles, 5 solo; Darrian Holloway – 6 total tackles, 4 solo; Tim Montijo – 2 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 sack; Malachi Victor – 1 fumble recovery, 2 total tackles

Special Teams: Mina Elzek – 1/2 PAT, 0/1 FG (37 yd)

Hamburg 41, Northern Lebanon 34

Northern Lebanon was riding a wave of momentum after Week 8’s win over Pequea Valley. Unfortunately, a wave of germs followed, knocking several players down throughout the week. The illness was so widespread that they were unable to hold practice as they did not want to risk further spread. With several key players unavailable in their Week 9 road game at Hamburg, other players would have to step up if the Vikings were going to have any chance at a victory.

Halfway through the 1^st quarter, Northern Lebanon junior running back Myles Watson was the first player to find paydirt, scoring on a 6-yard run to make the score 7-0. A Brendan Ryan interception of a Hamburg pass gave the Vikings the ball, but the wet conditions gave the ball back to the Hawks on the next play. Hamburg then was able to tie the game at 7-7 by the end of the 1^st quarter.

Throughout the rest of it, this game would see-saw back and forth between the Vikings and the Hawks. Early in the 2^nd quarter, Watson would again score. Hamburg would respond minutes later with a touchdown. Less than a minute after that, Watson would break a 56-yard touchdown run. Next, it would be Hamburg scoring to tie the game at 21-21. In the closing moments of the 1^st half, Hamburg would again score to take a 27-21 into the locker room.

One minute into the 2^nd half, Watson scored his fourth touchdown of the game, a 13-yard run up the gut. The PAT was blocked and the score would remain tied at 27-27. Halfway through the 3^rd quarter, Hamburg would make the score 34-27. Before the end of the quarter, Watson again responded and crossed the goal line for the fifth time. The two teams entered the final frame, each with 34 points.

In the 4^th quarter, Hamburg attempted to break the tie with a field goal attempt that missed. After Northern Lebanon was unable to move the ball, Hamburg regained possession with just about three minutes remaining. With :27 showing on the clock, the Hawks found themselves just 19 yards away from the end zone. They called upon a freshman to take the handoff. Playing hero, he broke through the Viking defense and gave his team a 41-34 lead. The Vikings had one final chance to score, but could not find a way through the prevent defense.

With the tough loss, Northern Lebanon stands at 4-5 with a date with Annville-Cleona on the horizon next Friday night.

Going back to the idea of players stepping up to give the Vikings a chance to win. . . Myles Watson finished the game with 244 yards and 5 touchdowns!

Coach’s Thoughts

Following the game, we caught up with Northern Lebanon Head Coach Jason Rice. First, he addressed the hand they were dealt this week and how it affected them:

“It was a tough one tonight for the boys. Tough week. Really. If you look at it from overall perspective, Luke Shaffer was out all week until today. About 10 guys or so were out this week with Mo Gonzalez out and Brendan Ryan not considered healthy until today. I’m not making excuses or anything, but despite some serious obstacles that the boys faced this week, they came out and they played football for four full quarters. I could not be more proud of what the guys did tonight and what they were able to do without practicing other than a walkthrough yesterday.”

When it came to the atypical high scoring affair, Rice had this to say:

“If you look at a broad spectrum of the game, you realize it was an offensive shootout with our defense not doing exactly do what our defense typically would do. They they still stepped up against Hamburg’s very skilled offense, but they figured out how to attack us and did it well. We made some halftime adjustments that I feel really slowed them down in the second half. I’m proud of the coaching staff and the players for recognizing and adapting”

On the topic of the offense and junior Myles Watson stepping up:

“Myles Watson played on another level tonight with his 244 yards and five touchdowns. Absolutely incredible. I’m so proud of him and what he’s been working towards. I know that he’s kind of been working to have his breakout game and then this was it. I’m hoping that kind of gets him on the map.”

In conclusion, Rice had this to say about his team’s willingness to battle through tough conditions both on and off the field:

“Tough, tough conditions tonight with some showers coming through tough conditions in the week just with, you know, what nature had brought us, but we didn’t back down and yet again, our goal being in a position to compete and potentially win a ball game in the fourth quarter was present again tonight. I could not be happier with just the resiliency and willingness of our guys to fight and fight and fight no matter what happens. I love those guys.”

Northern Lebanon Stats

Passing: Kael Erdman – 12/20, 143 yards

Receiving: Brendan Ryan – 4 receptions, 40 yards; Tanner Feagley – 2 receptions, 18 yards; Luke Shaffer – 3 receptions, 44 yards; Brady Ryan – 2 receptions, 16 yards; Bryan Mitzel – 1 reception, 5 yards

Rushing: Myles Watson – 25 carries, 244 yards, 5 TD; Brady Ryan – 1 carry, 5 yards; Kael Erdman – 1 carry, 2 yards

Defensive Leaders: Luke Shaffer – 16 tackles; Tanner Feagley – 9 tackles 3 QB hurries; Brendan Ryan – 6 tackles, INT; Kyle Hitz – 9 tackles; Brady Ryan – 8 tackles; Eli Ostermayer – 8 tackles

Milton Hershey 41, Palmyra 6

The Palmyra Cougars entered Week 9, hopeful they could give Milton Hershey a tough game. A tough defense from Milton Hershey also pressured Palmyra to make mistakes as the Cougars fell behind early. A balanced Spartan offensive attack helped the host team to ward off the visiting Cougars.

For Palmyra, they were able to get on the scoreboard with a 4-yard touchdown run by Justin Kaplan in the 3^rdquarter. Kaplan finished the game with 71 yards on 8 carries. Braxtin Risser was Palmyra’s top rusher, racking up 105 yards on 18 carries.

Palmyra (2-7) will host Hershey next week in what will be the final game of the season.

Palmyra Stats

Rushing: Braxtin Risser – 18 carries, 108 yards, long 40 yards; Justin Kaplan – 8 carries, 71 yards, TD, long 49 yards; Kyle Koennecke – 4 carries, 24 yards; Ryan Kowalski – 7 carries, -4 yards, 1 fumble; Nathan Eisenhooth – 1 carry, -6 yards

Passing: Ryan Kowalski – 11/25, 73 yards, 3 INT

Receiving: Jason McCurdy – 3 receptions, 19 yards; Keagen Kleinfelter – 2 receptions, 16 yards; Nathan Eisenhooth – 2 receptions, 13 yards; Jonathan McDannell – 2 receptions, 12 yards; Kadan Readinger – 1 reception, 10 yards; Justin Kaplan – 1 reception, 3 yards

Defensive Leaders: Kadin Jones – 5 tackles, 6 assists, 1 tackle for loss; Nathan Eisenhooth – 4 tackles, 1 assist; Joseph Altebrando – 3 tackles, 6 assists; Kyle Koennecke – 2 tackles, 6 assists

Warwick 53, Lebanon 6

Warwick defeated Cocalico. They also took Cedar Crest into overtime early in the season. In Week 9, their tough defense scored 4 times, as they defeated Muhlenburg 64-7. While their record entering their matchup with Lebanon was only 2-6, they have proven that they are better than their record indicates.

Lebanon battled, but had issues breaking through Warwick’s tough defense. Malachi Briddell offered some excitement in the 1^st quarter when he returned a kickoff 76 yards for a touchdown. That would be the only points the Cedars would be able to find against the Warriors.

Lebanon (0-9) will take on Cedar Crest in Thursday’s Cedar Bowl.

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