Youth Football Weekly Round-Up: September 19, 2024

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.  

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     Falcon Youth Football

Red Rose Midget Football League Age group information 

v Donegal Braves

B (2-1)   Cedar Crest over Donegal

C (2-1)   Donegal 26, Cedar Crest 20

D (2-1)    Cedar Crest 12, Donegal 7

The Falcon “B” Team bounced back from last week’s tough loss and had fun from start to finish. On the opening drive, the Falcons marched down the field to score first. After that, the team got into a groove on both sides of the ball. On defense, tackles for losses and interceptions were the story. On offense, it was sustained drive drives, good runs, and spreading the ball around to multiple receivers. The Falcons showed that they built off their last loss and were determined to win.

The Falcon “C” Team fell behind early as Donegal showed that they were determined to establish a strong ground game, resulting in a 7-0 lead. Cedar Crest was ready for the challenge and answered with a touchdown run from Boston Speece. After Donegal scored again, the Falcons once again responded this time through the air, with Cameron Wamsher connecting with Noah Wagner to tie the game. The ensuing kickoff return went for a Donegal touchdown to make the score 20-13 at halftime. Out of the break, Wamsher found Brayden McGee for a 30-yard touchdown pass. With the score tied 20-20 late in the 4th quarter, Donegal was able to break a long run to win the game.

The coaching staff wanted to recognize Nolan Polite and Derrick Santana for having solid games in the heartbreaking loss.

The Falcon “D” Team got out to an early 6-0 lead in the 1st quarter, which then quickly turned into a 7-6 deficit. With the score unchanged late in the 4th quarter, Nico Aungst, with a flair for the dramatics, broke a long touchdown run to give the Falcons a 12-7 lead with just four minutes remaining. The Cedar Crest defense remained strong, swarming to the football to make key tackles. The defense was led by Logan Hallman and the rest of the defensive crew, Christopher Waldron, Gavin Baer, Carson Baer, Nathan Espinosa, Dylan Royer, and Brandon Soboleski, just to name a few. The final defensive stop came when John Joseph (“Johnny Football”) tipped away a pass from the Donegal receiver in the final moments to secure the win.

Up Next: The Falcons travel to Conestoga Valley this Sunday for their first road game of the season.

The Cedar “B” Team suffered a tough loss in their game with the Crusaders. The score was close throughout the 1st half, as Lancaster Catholic had issues figuring Lebanon out. Much of the inspired effort by the Cedars was the result of solid line play, which unfortunately took a turn when Pat Fields exited the game due to injury. However, the Cedars continued to battle as Jullian Rodriguez-Rivera and Damani Woodson valiantly filled in. Forced to adjust to a new game strategy and injuries piling up in the 2nd half, the Cedars eventually gave way to Catholic.

The Cedars “C” Team was led by Grayson Painter, who had two huge touchdown runs of 60 yards and 58 yards before adding a nifty kickoff return for another touchdown. A successful extra point came courtesy of Ethan Hernandez as the Cedars continued to add points. Painter was also a leader on the defensive side of the ball, along with a standout performance from Ayden Hines, who held Catholic’s tall tight end in check. Throughout the game, the Cedars proved that they could compete against Lancaster Catholic.

The Cedars “D” Team was down 6-0 late in the 3rd quarter when Alexciel Pegan broke a 5-yard touchdown run for their first score of the game. A successful conversion by Christian Bowers, via a QB sneak, gave the Cedars a 7-6 lead. The defense, led by Kali Gardner and Caitlyn Fields, was strong all day and continued to give the Crusaders issues. Unfortunately, Catholic found a way to win by breaking a 75-yard touchdown run with two minutes left to go in the ball game.

Ethan Hernandez runs for a successful PAT

Pat Fields cuts across the 50, as he breaks a long run

v Lower Dauphin Falcons

Midgets (0-3)    Falcons 1, Raiders 0 (Forfeit)

Ponies (0-3)       Falcons 33, Raiders 0

Peewees (0-3)    Falcons 27, Raiders 0

Smurfs                

Up Next: The Raiders will travel to Hershey in Week 5.

      Myerstown Panthers

Berks Area Youth Football League Age group information 

@ Kutztown Cougars

Midget (2-1)       Myerstown 15, Kutztown 8

Mites (3-0)         Myerstown 33, Kutztown 19

Mighty Mites (1-2)  Kutztown 20, Myerstown 0

For the Myerstown Midget Team, Braiden Harris started the scoring with a 1st quarter touchdown run. The extra point pass from Harris to Riley Wert was successful, making it 7-0. The Panthers’ defense played strong throughout the game, registering a safety in the 2nd half. Also, in the 2nd half, Matt White had a 40-yard touchdown run for Myerstown. White, Wyatt Ness, Bentley Landis, and Hunter Lebo led the Panther defensive effort. The Myerstown midgets are now 2-1 on the season.

The Myerstown Panthers Mites delivered a strong 33-19 win over the Kutztown Cougars thanks to a balanced offensive attack and key defensive plays. The Cougars controlled the clock early, taking up the entire 1st quarter before scoring to take a 6-0 lead. However, the Panthers responded quickly with a great kick return and a 43-yard run by Tucker Robert, setting up Owen Hall for a touchdown. The Panthers’ defense tightened up on Kutztown’s second drive, with Jackson Liskey making a crucial tackle on 4th down to turn the ball over. Corbin Showalter then broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run, putting the Panthers ahead 14-6 at halftime.

In the 2nd half, the defense made a key stand, stopping the Cougars on downs inside their own 5-yard line. Offensively, the Panthers’ backfield trio of Robert, Hall, and Showalter continued to dominate, highlighted by a 95-yard touchdown run from Robert. The offensive line, featuring Wesley Bowman, Jackson Ruth, Paxton Shepler, Declan Hibshman, Abraham Galindo, Ryan Keashon, and Kaiden Vincent, provided excellent protection throughout the game. With the win, the Mites improved to 3-0 on the season.

The Myerstown Panthers Mighty Mites took on an excellent Kutztown Cougars squad and showed resilience throughout the game, competing until the very end despite falling 20-0. The Panthers’ offense looked promising on their opening drive, moving the ball effectively, but they were unable to capitalize, leaving the score 0-0 at the end of the first quarter. The Cougars struck first in the 2nd quarter, taking a 6-0 lead into halftime. They extended their advantage with a scoring drive, making it 14-0. The Panthers’ defense came alive in the 4th quarter, with key tackles by Leeland Butcher, Joseph Noel, Maverick Ebling, and Leland Zellers forcing a turnover on downs. Unfortunately, a fumble on the next drive gave the Cougars another opportunity, and they added a final touchdown to seal the game. Despite the loss, the young Panthers squad played hard and showed they have the grit to compete with tough opponents.

Up Next: The Panther Mighty Mite squad will look to bounce back as they take on the Kutztown Cougars again next weekend. The Mite and Midget divisions will have a bye next week. All the Panthers squads will host the Hamburg Hawks on September 29th.

  Northern Lebanon Vikings

CFA – Federal Conference Age group information 

@ Swatara Tigers

Midgets (4-0)   Vikings 29, Tigers 14

Ponies (1-3)       Tigers 27, Vikings 0

Peewees (2-2)   Tigers 34, Vikings 0

Smurfs               Exhibition/Skill Development

With gorgeous weather and Hinkelfest being held at Firemans’ Park in Fredericksburg, the JV team played a game on Saturday against the Central Dauphin Rams, and the Varsity team faced off against the Swatara Tigers on Sunday.

On Sunday, the Viking Midget Varsity Team faced the Swatara Tigers at Central Dauphin East’s Swatara Middle School. The Tigers made a strong start with a 25-yard run on the first play of the game. That would be the most yards they gained on a single play for the remainder of the game. The Vikings encountered a few penalties and setbacks early on, hindering their offense. However, two minutes into the 2ndquarter, running back Jonathan Zimmerman took a handoff to the left, benefiting from exceptional blocking on the edges, to put the Vikings on the scoreboard. Zimmerman also ran in a botched extra point kick for one point to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead. The Vikings then scored two more times in the 2nd quarter. Zimmerman, on fourth down, fired a pass downfield that ended up being tipped up in the air by the Swatara defense but caught by Vinny Moyer, who took it to the house for another Viking touchdown. Zimmerman then completed the hat trick with a 20-yard reception from quarterback Markus Miller. Chris Camasta kicked both extra point attempts through the uprights, putting the Vikings ahead 23-0 heading into the final quarter. During the 4th quarter, Moyer ran the ball hard as he had been doing all season and scored on a toss to the right that went for 15 yards. The Vikings’ defense reigned supreme to earn the shutout.

The Viking JV Midget Team played Saturday at Koons Park against the Central Dauphin Rams. The JV Vikings emerged victorious with a score of 14-0. Running back Isiah Lex had a remarkable game. With a swift handoff up the middle, he put the Vikings ahead 6-0. Later in the game, on defense, he intercepted the ball, halting the Rams’ momentum during a fourth-quarter drive. Cornerback Johhny Appleton also made significant contributions when he read the wide receiver’s route perfectly, swooping in to take the interception for a Vikings touchdown. They won the game 14-0.

The Viking Smurfs continued their development against the Swatara Tigers in a back-and-forth showdown. The offensive and defensive lines set the tone by opening great running lanes and swarming the Tiger ball carriers. Dimitri Stanchick and Brycen Bortz anchored the Viking defense, while Trevor Keefer, Ezekiel Buchman, Everitt Bortz, and Tucker Adams led the Viking offense. The movement up front created big runs from Trey Moyer, Cooper Wonderley, Kashton Showers-Mann, and Grady Wiest. The game was a positive effort for the Smurfs as they continue to put the pieces together this season.

Up Next: The Vikings will spend Sunday afternoon defending their home field against the Tri-C Panthers.

Photos by Susan Dengler

 Palmyra Cougars

      CFA – Federal Conference    Age group information 

@ Steelton L’il Rollers

Midgets (1-3)    L’il Rollers 22, Cougars 20

Ponies  (3-1)      L’il Rollers 32, Cougars 12

Peewees (2-2)    L’il Rollers 28, Cougars 0

Smurfs               Exhibition/Skill Development

The Steelton Lil’ Rollers came prepared and dominated the visiting Palmyra Cougars at War Veterans Memorial Field, sweeping all four age levels.

The day began with the Cougar Smurfs (K-2nd grade) taking the field, where the Lil’ Rollers showcased their developing talent in a scoreless developmental game.

As the ages increased, so did the intensity. The Cougar Peewees (3rd-4th grade) saw the Lil’ Rollers assert their dominance, shutting out the Cougars 28-0 in a convincing victory.

The Cougar Midgets (7th-8th grade) game gave local cardiologists some business, with a nail-biting 22-20 win for the Lil’ Rollers. Steelton’s resilience and teamwork paid off in a game that went down to the wire, but the team attitude rallied around each other and fought the final seconds.

The Cougar Ponies (5th-6th grade) engaged in a back-and-forth battle, with the Lil’ Rollers ultimately emerging victorious 32-12. Despite a solid first half from the Cougars, Steelton’s depth and skill proved too much to overcome this day. This final win secured the sweep for the home team.

Overall, the Palmyra Cougars showed heart and determination throughout the day. As these young athletes continue to grow and develop, fans can expect even more exciting matchups in the future.

Up Next: Palmyra will host the Swatara Tigers on Sunday afternoon.