This post will serve as a rolling update of Week 7 Football action from around LebCo. With one team in action on Thursday and five playing on Friday night, we will work to compile the best information as we can in a timely fashion. This includes talking to many of the coaches and including post-game summaries. Keep checking back regularly for new information about your favorite teams.
The Northern Lebanon/Lampeter-Strasburg & Lebanon/E-Town recaps were written primarily by Gavin Sweeney, a local high school student and aspiring sports journalist.
Special thanks to the LebCoSports.com team of guest writers who covered the games this week: Travis Thome (ELCO/Octorara), Chris George (Cedar Cedar/Manheim Township), & Steve Beard (Annville-Cleona/Lancaster Catholic).
If you like this type of coverage, please let us know by Following us on social media: Twitter/X – @lebcosports1 and Facebook.
For any questions, comments, or discrepancies, please reach out to dan@lebcosports.com.
Friday
Elizabethtown 14, Lebanon 8
The Lebanon Cedars kicked off their homecoming game against the Elizabethtown Bears with hopes of breaking their lengthy losing streak. E-Town has struggled this season to put points on the board, but put up 36 in a win over Muhlenburg last week. While the Bears found their offensive mojo, the Cedars began the evening ready to defend their home field at Alumni Stadium.
Early in the 1st quarter, the Cedars forced a turnover, but soon after on a three-and-out the Cedars’ punt team fumbled the ball with the Bears recovering the ball within 20 yards of the end zone. Nearing the end of the 1st quarter, the Bears capitalized with a touchdown, making it 7-0. The score would remain that way until the 4th quarter, as the two teams engaged in a defensive stalemate.
In the final frame, the Bears scored another touchdown, with running back Prince Wratto finding the end zone. The Cedars quickly responded with a leaping touchdown reception from playmaker Malachi Briddell on a pass from Brandyn Castro. The duo then followed it with a 2-point conversion to make it 14-8 with nine minutes left in the game.
Late in the game, the Cedars were driving, making it deep in E-Town territory. However, that is as far as Lebanon would get as they turned it over on downs before they could convert their late offensive explosion into points.
Lebanon (0-7) continues to show signs of progress under first-year head coach Tyler Pritchett. The Cedars will have their next test against Governor Mifflin next Friday. With how he performed when given opportunities again this week, it will be interesting to see how Briddell is able to aid the Cedars the finals weeks of the season.
ELCO 24, Octorara 14
The ELCO Raiders were looking to entertain the crowd on Homecoming as they hosted Octorara in LL Section 4. The Braves (3-3, 1-2) came in seeking to move above .500, while the Raiders (2-4, 1-2) had plans to kick off HOCO with a W.
ELCO took the ball to begin the game but gave it right to the Braves on their first drive by way of a fumble. A few plays later, Octorara found the endzone through the air via a Collin Wood-Mason Prokay connection, which gave them an early 7-0 lead with 10:11 left in the 1st. The Raiders did not have much luck in the 1st quarter, missing an FG from 15 yards out as their only chance at points.
Midway through the 2nd quarter, a Landon Goodison 26-yard field goal got ELCO on the board, now trailing 7-3. A few more back-and-forth series lead to the Raiders in the red zone inside the 2-minute mark for the half. With 1:20 on the clock and ELCO facing a 3rd and 9 at Octorara’s 14-yard line, Steven Rosado was able to find the endzone using his legs to put the Raiders up 10-7. ELCO find themself with one last opportunity before the half after a turnover on downs by the Braves. A little HOCO magic to end the 1st half as the soon-to-be-crowned HOCO King Gavin Bicher throws a 43-yard TD pass to Justin Smucker with zeros on the clock to head into the locker rooms with a 17-7 halftime lead.
Coming out of halftime, it took little time before Octorara got back in it with some aerial assault of their own as Collin Wood found Mekhi Lambert from 23 yards out. 17-14 Raiders lead with 8:04 to go in the 3rd. As the fog began to roll in, ELCO was able to hold their lead, heading into the 4th, which was still up 17-14.
The fog had a role to play in the 4th as a missed FG by Octorara, a 40+ yard attempt, and a few fumbles by both sides led to a 17-14 score holding firm heading late into the 4th quarter.
When it is Homecoming, there is always a little extra pep in your step, though. Rosado said enough is enough and put the game away with 2:30 to go in the 4th quarter with a 5-yard TD run to close out a back-and-forth foggy battle in Myerstown. ELCO secured the HOCO victory and improved to 3-4, 2-2 in Section 4. Octorara slides to an identical record and travels to Northern Lebanon next Friday, 10/11.
ELCO stays at home next Friday night as it welcomes the #1 ranked team in District 3 AAAA Lampeter-Strasburg (7-0)
@WGAL @FOX43Sports @abc27Sports #ELCO
Play of the week from ELCO football pic.twitter.com/paAUtpPUHE
— Jim Young (@JTMARLIN1316) October 5, 2024
Manheim Township 38, Cedar Crest 13
On a misty and somewhat humid night on the south side of Lebanon, the 4-2 Cedar Crest Falcons hosted the undefeated Streaks from Manheim Township in one of the marquee matchups in the area. In front of a packed house, the Falcons were looking to break their recent streak of alternating wins and losses over the past few games. Crest rolled over Reading 42-20 last Friday night, but awaiting them this week was no other than the #1 team in 6A District 3, led by former standout alum and Falcon in the 80’s, Coach Mark Evans. Evans has created a juggernaut of a program in the past decade after an impressive run at ELCO for many years as well.
Evans lost one of the best quarterback/wide receiver combinations from last season, and both are off playing on Saturdays now. However, the Streaks haven’t missed a beat this year, and it would take everything Cedar Crest could throw at them to stay in this game.
After the opening kickoff and an early first down, one of the many miscues of the night for both teams saw the Falcons fumble. Township wasted no time capitalizing when the school’s all-time rushing leader, Declan Clancy, found the end zone, patiently behind his big o-line. Shortly after, on their next possession, QB Carson Weisser found Dayrus Dixon for a 48-yard bomb down the middle over a couple of crest defenders.
It looked as though it would be a typical Streak night. However, the Falcons, along with Cam Tirado, had other plans. Tirado brought back a big kick return past the 50-yard line behind a fantastic wall setup from Coach Lambros’ kick return squad. Two plays later, Jackson Custer made his first mark on the game, pulling the ball and keeping it through the line for an exciting 47-yard TD run. The extra point was no good, however, as Township led 14-6.
Coach Lambros’s special teams unit wasted no time again and, with a successful onside kick, ignited the crest sideline and home stands. Kicker Eli Beard, who had a busy night, did a tremendous job placing the ball where only the Falcons could get it. After a nice drive featuring standout back Isaiah Zimmerman, the Falcons came up just short, missing a field goal.
A couple of plays later, Evan’s nifty call of a rocket screen had them dancing in the end zone from 48 yards out. However, as would happen a few more times, Township was flagged for a block in the back, negating the catch and run to keep the Falcons within striking distance.
Even with turnovers and penalties slowing the mighty streaks down, after the 2nd quarter began, Township went deep once again, this time from 47 yards, in what looked like a broken coverage down the seam for another score.
After another impressive Beard punt, and of note, he made the highlight reel tackle as well; the Falcons were on their heels. As Township marched down the field to another score, the Crest D hung on again to strip Township before they crossed the goal line and frustrated the Streaks.
The turnover seemed to wake up the Cornwall faithful and finally the sophomore star Zimmerman was able to explode through the Township secondary, busting several tackles for an electrifying 80-yard TD. The track star would not be denied after he entered the open field. The PAT from Beard made it 21-13, and although Township had moved the ball during the first half, the Falcons were dodging just enough bullets to stay alive and make Township sweat.
After some stops by both teams, Dixon slipped through the Crest secondary on a little rub route for his second TD catch, this time 36 yards, just before the half to make it 28-13.
Heading into the 2nd half, Crest knew this was the time of the game Township normally relishes. That is exactly what ensued. A slow and steady 85-yard drive ended in another TD pass from Weisser, this time to Charlie Jones. The half did not see much scoring, as Township continued to dominate the ball but kept stubbing their toe as they tried to punch it in.
Crest did have one long drive with many Zimmerman runs sprinkled in, along with some Tirado sweeps and short catches. Unfortunately, a 4th and 6th pass to Zimmerman came up inches short of a 1st down inside the Manheim Township 25. The last gasp came after the Falcons stopped Township, and Jack Warnavage returned a punt 25 yards inside the Township 50. However, Crest could not move the ball once again.
One last highlight: after another fumble by Township as they hit inside the 10-yard line, the Falcons could not move the ball out. However, Beard once again showed off his foot, hitting a 60-plus yard punt to change field position. Soon after, a field goal by Township officially put the game out of reach 38-13.
Although Crest seemed slightly outmanned all night, they continued to fight and make key stops. Evans along with his Offensive Coordinator, and another former standout Falcon, Andy Paine, could not have been happy about the mistakes, but he certainly can’t complain about the result and the dominating performance.
The Falcons (4-3) entered the game 8th in 6A District 3 standings and will need a strong last act if they want to make the top 10. A debut season for Coach Lambros making the District 3 playoffs would be quite the reward for a strong finish if Cedar Crest can finish the mission. The final stretch begins next Friday at JP McCaskey.
Coach Lambros’s Thoughts
Following the game, Coach Lambros gave his thoughts.
On the match-up between the two teams and waht he felt was the difference, Lambros said: “We played a very good football team on Friday night. That team is well coached and loaded with talent. Unfortunately, we made some critical mistakes in the first half that you can’t make if you want to beat good football teams.”
On how he viewed how his Falcons played the game, Lambros said: “I am, however, very proud of my team for two big reasons: we got better as the game went on, and we kept fighting regardless of the score. We battled for four quarters with them on all phases of the ball. We held them to 10 points in the second half, we moved the ball but just couldn’t punch it in, and we played good special teams. My kids played their butts off, and I’m incredibly proud of them.”
Cedar Crest Stats
Passing: Jackson Custer – 8/14, 46 yards
Receiving: Cam Tirado – 3 receptions, 22 yards; Jack Waranavage – 3 receptions, 16 yards; Isaiah Zimmerman – 1 reception, 5 yards; Luke Oriel – 1 reception, 3 yards
Rushing: Isaiah Zimmerman – 14 carries, 137 yards; Jackson Custer – 13 carries, 56 yards; Josh Tricoche – 3 carries, 20 yards; Cam Tirado – 4 carries, – 1 yard
Defensive Leaders: Landyn Kline – 15 tackles, 2 solo, 1 TFL; Garrett Starry – 10 tackles, 1 solo, 1 TFL; Tristan Long – 8 tackles, 1 TFL; Wyatt Fox – 7 tackles, 1 solo, 1 TFL, 1 QB Hit; Joe Arnt – 6 tackles, 2 solo; Kayden Tirado – 6 tackles, 3 solo, 1 fumble recovery; Carter Eisenhauer – 3 tackles, 1 solo, 1 forced fumble; Kai Speaks – 2 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble; Jack Waranavage – 3 tackles, 1 solo, 1 fumble recovery
Lancaster Catholic 49, Annville-Cleona 27
The Little Dutchmen hosted the Crusaders in Friday night action on South Oak Street. Both teams entered the Section 5 matchup with 3-3 records.
Annville-Cleona jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead on a 51-year strike from quarterback Bryce Keller to tight end Jonathan Shay. It only took one play for Catholic to answer as they quickly cut the lead to 7-6. On Catholic’s second touchdown to take a 12-7 lead, an Annville-Cleona player sustained a serious injury and was transported from the field via ambulance. This scary moment marked the second week in a row that an Annville player required EMS services.
Following the medical emergency, Lancaster Catholic worked to extend its lead to 28-7 by halftime. The Crusaders added to their lead early in the 3rd quarter with another touchdown. However, the Dutchmen remained engaged, and Keller punched a ball in from 6 yards out. Down 41-13, Annville-Cleona refused to go away as Keller added a 1-yard touchdown to make it a three-score affair. However, Catholic responded by putting the game out of reach again as the teams headed to the 4th quarter with the scoreboard reading 49-20.
In final quarter, speedster Jon Moran scored on a 70-yard touchdown run to close out the scoring as the scrappy Annville Cleona squad fell by a final score of 49-27.
Annville Cleona (4-3) will look to rebound from this loss when they travel to Pequea Valley for a Thursday night matchup with the Indians.
Annville-Cleona Stats
Passing: Bryce Keller – 4/6, 150 yards, TD, INT
Rushing: Bryce Keller – 12 carries, 21 yards, 2 TDs; Devon Englehart – 8 carries, 22 yards; Yamaliel Navarro – 4 carries, 21 yards; Jonathon Shay – 9 carries, 29 yards; Jonathan Moran – 4 carries, 80 yards, TD
Receiving: Jonathon Shay – 3 receptions, 119 yards, TD; Jonathan Moran – 1 reception, 31 yards
Defensive Leaders: Jonathon Shay – 15 tackles, 10 solo; Hudson Sellers – 10 tackles – 6 solo; Bryce Keller – 8 tackles, 4 solo; Malacai Victa – 8 tackles, 4 solo; Devon Englehart – 7 tackles, 5 solo;
Kicking: Lane Peters – 3/4 PAT
Lower Dauphin 44, Palmyra 0
After holding Lower Dauphin to just one touchdown through one quarter of play, the floodgates opened up in the 2nd quarter as the Falcons built a 35-0 lead by the half. LD would add one passing touchdown in the 3rd quarter and a safety in the 4th quarter, as they pressured Palmyra all night in limiting the Cougars to just 115 yards of offense.
Palmyra Stats
Passing: Roman Russek – 5/12, 74 yards, INT
Receiving: Talon Speck – 2 receptions, 27 yards; Justin Kaplan – 1 reception, 25 yards; Travis McDannell – 1 reception, 15 yards; Braxtin Risser – 1 reception, 7 yards
Rushing: Travis McDannell – 13 carries, 47 yards; Braxtin Risser – 2 carries, 7 yards; Liam Setcavage – 1 carry, 1 yard; Justin Kaplan – 1 carry, -3 yards; Roman Russek – 8 carries, -11 yards
Defensive Leaders: J. Altebrando – 5 tackles, INT; Xavier Smith – 3 tackles, TFL; Travis McDannell – 4 tackles; B. Hoover – 4 tackles
Thursday
Lampeter-Strasburg 56, Northern Lebanon 3
The Northern Lebanon Vikings traveled to Lampeter Strasburg High School for Thursday night football! The Pioneers are a perennial powerhouse who entered the game with a 6-0 record. The Vikings would need to find an offensive rhythm, something made even more difficult as they were still without running back Myles Watson (broken arm) and were on short rest following last week’s game.
The 1st quarter began with a quick Lampeter passing touchdown. On the next possession, Lampeter picked off a pass and then scored shortly thereafter with a rushing touchdown to make it 14-0. Northern Lebanon continued battling with some small yardage plays led by quarterback Kael Erdman’s scrambling and completions to Bryan Mitzel and Bryce Yocum. On defense, the Vikings tried to make a stand, led with tackles by Brendan Ryan, Brady Ryan, Karter Adams, and even recovered a fumble by Jack Kleisath. However, a pick-six by Lampeter’s Dominic Brown (his second interception of the game) made it 21-0 by the end of the 1st.
In the 2nd quarter, Northern Lebanon’s defense continued to battle, even after the Pioneers took a 35-0 lead following touchdowns of the rushing and passing variety. Erdman’s big rushing play moved the Vikings to midfield, but they were forced to attempt a punt. Unfortunately, a bad snap gave Lampeter a very good field position to set up another rushing touchdown. A rushing touchdown by Brown made it 49-0 on a drive where Lampeter recovered their own fumble. With the game all but decided, both teams headed to the locker room for halftime.
In the 3rd quarter, Coach Rice turned to freshman quarterback Blake Burdick, who was pressed into action during Week 6’s loss to Twin Valley. The first drive of the half resulted in some small gains but nothing more. However, the defense came up big with some big plats led by Jake Emborsky, Landon Copenhaver, Jaxin Bush, Matthew Chernich, and Christian Spencer. Brady Ryan then intercepted a pass to put the Vikings in a good position to get points on the board. Riley Messinger then converted on a field goal attempt to give Northern Lebanon its first points of the game. Despite losing the game by a large margin at the time, the Vikings responded by winning the 3rd quarter 3-0.
The 4th quarter led to some time for backup players, including Northern Lebanon’s JJ Rivera, who made an appearance at quarterback. Lampeter would score once more to make it 56-3.
The Vikings (2-5) will now have eight days to prepare for next Friday’s matchup against the Octorara Braves.
Coach Rice’s Thoughts
Following Thursday’s game, Coach Rice gave his thoughts.
Rice led off with his thoughts, citing frustration with the alignment that has his team playing against a team like Lampeter-Strasburg: “You know you look at some of these opponents were playing and then the scores and you just can’t help but notice you know sidelines look at their sideline. Look at our sideline”.
When it comes to the impact on what he’s hoping to foster within his program, Rice said: “I want my young men to see success. They deserve to see some success, and games like this, the success is hard to find.”
He finished up by saying: “We’re still going to keep playing football and so we’re gonna suit up to play every Friday night, no matter what the schedule says.”
About the game, he praised his team’s response following a rough 1st half: “We went into the second half and came out, got the turnover, and were able to move the ball a little bit, putting three points on the board.”
Rice pointed out another positive from the game, stating: ”It was nice to see other guys who may be not may not get to play under the lights have a little time In that setting in step up, make plays, get tackle, catch a pass, make a block.”
In terms of the rest of the season, Rice said: “Look for use to complete these last three weeks.”
Previous Results
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six
2024 LebCo Football Team-by-Team Season Outlooks
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