Youth Football Weekly Round-Up: October 12, 2023

This feature recaps last weekend’s action from the youth football organizations that chose to partner with LebCoSports.com.  Much of the reporting below is written by the dedicated volunteers within these organizations.  

One important note to lead off this week’s update.  On Friday night, the Palmyra Football Team will be hosting a Military Appreciation Night. In coordination with the Pennsylvania National Guard, there will be a Blackhawk helicopter on display, landing at 4 pm and taking off after the game.  The event is being organized, in part, by Mike Smith who is the Palmyra Youth Football General Manager, who is also a Battalion Aviation Safety Officer.

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     Falcon Youth Football

Red Rose Midget Football League Age group information 

v Columbia

B (2-4)    Cedar Crest 40, Columbia 6

C (6-0)    Cedar Crest 24, Columbia 6 (halftime forfeit)

D (2-4)    Columbia 45, Cedar Crest 0

Sunday was a learning experience for the Falcon “D” Team. Columbia came to town and brought their A game.  The Falcons couldn’t get anything going all day on offense or defense, resulting in a lopsided result. They will now look to shake off the tough loss and come back stronger than ever. When they travel to Donegal, they will be ready to fight to get back into the win column.

Up Next:  The Falcons will travel for a series of Sunday matchups with Donegal.

Columbia couldn’t keep up with the Falcon “B” Team

The “B” squad celebrates one of their many scores

The O-Line sets up a breakout run for the Falcon “C” Team

 The Falcon “D” pre-game huddle

Despite Saturday’s rainy conditions, the Cedar “B” Team prevailed against the Barons of Manheim Central.  The Cedars were led by QB Jesus Adorno Lopez and Julian ‘Juju’ Rodriguez Rivera. The final score was 23-6.  This is the third win in a row for the Cedars, who will be looking to keep up their winning ways when they face off with Lancaster Catholic next week.

The Cedar “C” Team suffered an overtime loss as they took on the Barons. The Cedars were led by QB/LB Grayson Painter and RB/CB Damani Woodson, both of whom were key on the offense with each scoring rushing touchdowns.  Defensively, the Cedars Grayson Johnson and Julian Johnson were all over the field, setting the tone.  The tight battle took an extra frame for Manheim Central to walk away with a 19-12 victory.

The Cedar “D” Team fought through bad weather for a victory over Manheim Central.  Lebanon was led by Quintin Sisco and Logan Hoyer.  Both players scored all the points needed for the Cedars to leave victorious. The Cedars defense maintained an aggressive game plan keeping the Barons to only one score.

Julian ‘Juju’ Rodriguez Rivera leaps as he hits paydirt in the “B” Team’s win.

Grayson Painter gets around the edge on his way to a “C” TD

Quintin Sisco breaks for daylight on a long TD run for the “D” Team

@ Swatara Tigers

Midgets (0-6)    Tigers 34, Raiders 0

Ponies (1-5)       Tigers 18, Raiders 0

Peewees (0-6)   Tigers 20, Raiders 14

Smurfs                Exhibition/Skill Development

The Raider Midgets played a physical football game, but mistakes were a killer against the Swatara Tigers. The Raiders had outscored them, but penalties resulted in multiple touchdowns being called back. Even though they lost, there were plenty of positives in the game. Making it tough defensively on the Tigers were brothers Amear Anderson and Xzavier Baker, who each had many tackles.  Sincere Burrus added an interception.

The Raider Pony squad almost pulled off the comeback after an early deficit. The Raiders were down three touchdowns and managed to bring back to a one score game. They came up short, but it was a great game. Bryson Miller gave them hope with two late touchdowns, but there just wasn’t enough time left on the clock before Lebanon  could again get in the end zone.

The Raider Peewees played a tough game against the Tigers. Jayzion Rosa and Denzel Fermin both made some sparks for the Raiders, but unfortunately the Tigers were just too tough. The Peewees are hoping to bounce back when they aim for their first win against Steelton.

The Raider Smurfs competed in a physical showdown against Swatara Tigers. As the squad continues to get close to the Smurf Bowl, they continue to learn every week. No touchdowns were scored but Donovan Smith had a few good runs.

Up Next: The Raiders will host Steelton on Sunday afternoon.

The Lebanon Raider Ponies

The Lebanon Raider Peewees

The Lebanon Raider Smurfs

      Myerstown Panthers

Berks Area Youth Football League Age group information 

Bye Week

Midget (3-1)      Bye

Mites (1-3)          Bye

Mighty Mites (2-1-1)  Bye

Up Next: Returning from the break, the Panthers will play Schuylkill Valley this weekend.

      Northern Lebanon Vikings

CFA – Federal Conference Age group information 

@ Steelton Li’l Rollers

Midgets (4-2)    Vikings 27, Rollers 7

Ponies (6-0)      Vikings 7, Rollers 0

Peewees (3-3)   Vikings 13, Rollers 0

Smurfs               Exhibition/Skill Development

This past Sunday the Vikings traveled to Steelton to take on the Li’l Rollers. The Vikings aren’t just about football games though. On Saturday, the youth organization teamed up with the high school team and held their annual fundraising raffle drawing at the 4th annual bonfire that also served as a kickoff to Homecoming Week for the high school team. This community event was a huge success and friends and families of the Northern Lebanon Football Family had a great time.

As for the games, the Viking Midget team got back in the win column with a 27-7 victory over Steelton. The offense spread the ball nicely in the 1st half with touchdown runs by QB Blake Burdick (1 yd) and running backs Landon Copenhaver (5 yds) and Christian Spencer (13 yds). Defensively, Cody Leedy had an interception in the 2nd quarter to end a Steelton drive.  The key takeaway set-up Spencer’s touchdown. In the 2^nd half, it did not take the Vikings long to put the game away as Christian Anspach returned the opening kickoff 65 yards.  That score put the game in the mercy rule. Leading the team in tackles on the day was Nolan Brubaker.

After last week’s thrilling win over Chambersburg, not many people thought the Viking Pony game could be nearly as exciting.  However, the Vikings and the Li’l Rollers put on quite the show for the fans. After a scoreless 1^st half, it was difficult to judge which team had the upper hand as both offenses had a tough time gaining yards or momentum. Going into the 4th quarter still tied at 0-0, it became clear that someone’s defense was going to have to make a play to win this game. The Viking’s defense was up to that task. With the Li’l Rollers having the ball on their own 15-yard line, the defense broke into the backfield and Greyson McQuaide was able to force and recover a fumble on the 1-yard line with :30 remaining. It took the Vikings one play to capitalize with a Sam Kline QB keeper touchdown run. Luke Bennethum would add the extra point. Noah Leidhecker would make the game ending tackle on the ensuing kickoff to give the Pony team a 7-0 victory and keep their undefeated record intact.

The Northern Lebanon Peewee squad was also in the win column on Sunday, improving their chances of making the playoffs. In the 1^st half, a Luke Shireman fumble recovery setup a Beckett Wetzel 8-yard TD run. Wetzel would add another 3-yard TD run in the 2^nd half. The Viking defense came prepared to play and put the game away for the peewee team as they caused three more fumbles the in the 2^nd half.  Two of those fumbles were recovered by Braiden Harris, while the last one was recovered by Tanner Bradford to end Steelton’s last hope of a comeback. The Vikings won the game 13-0.

The Viking Smurf team had another rough outing, but played hard and gained a lot of experience. Cassius Stahl was the player of the game on defense, leading the team in tackles and making a rundown tackle stopping a would have been Li’l Rollers touchdown. This team may be struggling to put points on the scoreboard, but the young Vikings are playing their hearts out and not giving up.  Better days are ahead for this group.

Up Next: Looking ahead the Vikings have another busy weekend of fun and games. Saturday morning, the Viking’s Peewee, Pony, and Midget JV teams head to Cumberland Valley for the annual JV Jamboree tournament. On Sunday, the Vikings are at home to play the Swatara Tigers in their home finale for the season with the Midget 8th Grade Recognition Game ending the day. Before the varsity games are played, the NLMFA will hold the 9th annual Itty Bitty Bowl at 1:00PM. The Vikings will be looking to win their 9th consecutive Itty Bitty Bowl and keep the lifelong undefeated streak intact.

Dakota Dengler leaps over a would be tackler and Christian Spencer leads the way.

Christian Anspach returns took the 2nd half kickoff for a touchdown.

 Photos by Susan Dengler

 Palmyra Cougars

      CFA – Federal Conference    Age group information 

@ Northern York Polar Bears

Midgets (5-1)    Polar Bears 8, Cougars 0 (OT)

Ponies  (5-1)      Cougars 7, Polar Bears 0

Peewees (5-1)    Cougars 14, Polar Bears 0

Smurfs               Exhibition/Skill Development

This past Sunday your Palmyra Youth Football Cougars clashed with the Polar Bears from Northern York at Bostic Field in Dillsburg.

The Midget Cougars succumbed their first loss of the season. The 13U Cougars were dominant on the ground but their passing game struggled to take flight. Currently in 2nd behind West Perry in the Federal Conference, this Midget team, holds their seeding in their hands over the last 2 games of the regular season.

The Pony Cougars played a great back and forth on even footing the Polar Bears. The 11U team played a solid all-around game but survived to the final whistle clinging to a 1 score lead. Currently in 3rd place, behind West Perry and Northern Lebanon, in the Federal Conference, this Pony team can improve their playoff seeding over the last 2 games.

The Peewee Cougars turned up the heat on the Polar Bears and melted their stone cold defense. The 9U team was clicking on high gear and after they took control of the game mid second quarter, they refused to relinquish it. Currently tied for 2nd with Red Land, in the Federal Conference, this team has a showdown this weekend that can put them squarely in a top seeding for playoffs.

The Smurf Cougars came hungry ate a long drive and was ready to eat and eat they did. The 7U squad blanked the young Polar Bears and increased their confidence as a team.

Additional Photos

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