LebCo High School Football: Week 9 Results

This post will serve as a rolling update of Week 9 Football action from around LebCo. With all six LebCo teams 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/Daniel Boone recap was written primarily by Gavin Sweeney, a local high school student and aspiring sports journalist.

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

ELCO 34, Donegal 8

ELCO entered Week 9 with a 3-5 record, but a win against Donegal would improve the Raiders’ chances of making the PIAA District 3 Playoffs.

Things got off to a rocky start as ELCO fumbled the ball away on their first possession. However, the defense held, and the Raiders scored on quarterback Steven Rosado’s run from 6 yards out to make the game 7-0 with just over two minutes remaining in the 1st quarter.

Another mistake, this time in the form of a pick-six, put Donegal on the board under a minute into the 2nd quarter. The Indians then went for two, which they successfully converted to take an 8-7 in front of their home crowd.

Not Donegal’s move lightly, ELCO punched back, and with eight minutes to go until halftime, Mitchell Frederick scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. Donegal then had a miscue on a punt, giving ELCO the ball deep in enemy territory. Rosado made quick work of the drive, running it in from 4 yards out for his second touchdown of the game. A minute later, Zane Trostle intercepted a Donegal pass and set Rosado up for a 3-yard touchdown run. With the late burst of electricity, ELCO took a. 27-8 lead into the locker room.

The pace of the game slowed considerably in the 3rd quarter as the score remained unchanged. It was not until halfway through the 4th quarter when the scoreboard operator was called upon to account for a 9-yard touchdown run by Frederick to make the score 34-8.

With 27 unanswered points, the Raiders gained their fourth win of the season.

ELCO (4-5) are set to travel to Fredericksburg next Friday night for a Week 10 matchup against the Northern Lebanon Vikings.

Schuylkill Valley 49, Annville-Cleona  28

After a Week 8 win over Pequea Valley, the Dutchmen were back in action on Friday night for a Week 9 showdown at Schuylkill Valley. The home team was looking to remain undefeated in Section 5 ahead of their Week 10 game against Lancaster Catholic. Annville knew it would be a tall task but entered the game up for the challenge ahead.

Knowing the threat posed by the Dutchmen, the Panthers made sure to get out to an early lead, scoring on the first play from scrimmage to go up 7-0. After trading possessions, Annville then began to pressure the Schuylkill Valley defense with a long drive. Unfortunately, it ended with an interception. On the next play, Schuylkill Valley executed a 59-yard rushing play to go up 14-0.

In the 2nd quarter, Annville got on the board with Bryce Keller getting across the goal line on a quarterback sneak. Schuylkill Valley then scored twice to build a 28-7 lead before halftime.

In the 3rd quarter, the Panthers would score once more to go up 35-7. Despite the large deficit, the Dutchmen continued to battle. Lane Peters then found Jonathon Shay for a 35-yard touchdown reception to make the game 35-14. Schuylkill Valley quickly scored again, to which Shay would then score on a 5-yard touchdown run. The two teams would trade touchdowns yet again before the game would end, this time with Ryan Barrientos scoring a 1-yard run.

Annville-Cleona (4-5) will host their Week 10 game against Section 5 newcomer Berks Catholic.

Northern Lebanon 36, Daniel Boone 13

On Friday night, the Northern Lebanon Vikings hosted a Week 9 showdown against the Daniel Boone Blazers. In a move to spark their offense, Coach Rice turned to freshman quarterback Blake Burdick to run the offense. In combination with having Myles Watson back in the line-up after returning last week from a broken arm, the Vikings looked poised to put points on the board.

The game started slow, with the Northern Lebanon offense unable to move. When Daniel Boone got the ball, they drove down the field despite strong defensive efforts from several Vikings, including two sacks by lineman Eli Thompson. The Blazer drive ended with a field goal attempt, which missed.

In the 2nd quarter, Northern Lebanon looked to get on the board, going for it on fourth down. However, the attempt was unsuccessful, and Boone got the ball back. Karter Adams slowed their advance, collecting multiple tackles and a sack from his linebacker position. On fourth down, Boone decided to go to their bag of tricks and successfully converted on a fake punt. This led to a 26-yard touchdown pass that gave the visitors a 7-0 lead.

After that chain of events, the Vikings were clearly frustrated. They immediately retaliated with an 81-yard kickoff return touchdown from Brady Ryan! The Vikings tried a two-point conversion, but sadly didn’t get it so the score was 7-6.

The Viking defense again came up big to slow the Blazers yet again. Karter Adams again had a sack to make life difficult for Boone. This forced a punt, which the Vikings capitalized upon with Brendan Ryan taking a 60-yard punt return to the house. Northern Lebanon was now in front 13-7 at the half.

In the 3rd quarter, Boone continued to try to get by the Northern Lebanon defense with very little success. After a Brendan Ryan sack and a bad snap, the Vikings took back over on downs in excellent field position. Northern Lebanon would then score on a pitch from Burdick to Watson to make the score 19-7. After forcing another punt, Northern Lebanon would score again, this time with Burdick finding Brady Ryan for a 49-yard reception that set up a Riley Messinger field goal to make the game 22-7.

In the 4th, the Vikings were again too tough on defense. After a stellar defensive play by defensive back Bryan Mitzel, Northern Lebanon regained possession. Watson then broke a 63-yard run that set up a Brady Ryan touchdown reception. Shortly afterward, Watson would again break a 25-yard touchdown run to make the score 36-7. Daniel Boone would add a touchdown late in the game, but it was too little, too late.

The Vikings (3-6) will host the ELCO Raiders next Friday night to cap off the regular season.

Coach Rice’s Post-Game Thoughts

Following the victory, we caught up with Coach Jason Rice.

He led off talking about his team’s overall effort: “I told the boys at the end of the game that the victory is a result of them putting in the effort towards our goals day in and day out. I’m really, really proud of the fact that a multitude of guys stepped in and stepped up all over the place.”

He gave a shoutout to the Ryan brothers, whose playmaking abilities shifted momentum of the game: “You have to recognize the Ryan Brothers and their efforts you know both boys score and special teams touchdowns for as huge Brady and got another reception from Burdick.”

Rice lauded his freshman quarterback, Blake Burdick: “Having a freshman quarterback step up in the moment to really deliver without any turnover is key.”  

In terms of impact players, Rice was not shy in talking about his star running back: “Myles Watson had another outstanding performance. The kid is a playmaker. He has great vision, explosiveness, and knows how to make big plays in the moment. He finished just short of 150 yards rushing and scored 2 touchdowns. This came on senior night for him and our senior-majority offensive line, so that made it extra special.”

About his seniors who were playing their last home game, Rice said: “For the boys, you know they earned that one and they deserved it. Naturally, just that senior group of ten fantastic young men to be able to go out in their last home game that is excellent. I commend them for their efforts and I’m so proud of them so happy for them in this moment.”

Cedar Crest 31, Hempfield 27

After being tied 14-14 at the half, the Falcons were able to take the lead for good in the 4th quarter when sophomore running back Isaiah Zimmerman took a screen pass and took it 53 yards for the score. When Hempfield got the ball late in the game, the Cedar Crest defense came up big to preserve the lead as time expired.

Zimmerman, who eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark during Week 8, added to his already extensive resume. He had 19 carries for 210 yards and two touchdowns and added two receptions that went for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Cedar Crest (6-3) is now essentially a lock to make the District 3 Playoffs. The Falcons will finish up the regular season with the Cedar Bowl against Lebanon next Thursday night at Alumni Stadium.

Ephrata 59, Lebanon 6

The only score for the Cedars came in the 2nd quarter when Malachi Briddell took a pass from Anthony Klish for a 16-yard touchdown reception.

Red Land 21, Palmyra 7

Despite a solid defensive effort from Palmyra that included forcing three turnovers and another big game by sophomore linebacker Xavier Smith, the Red Land Patriots were able to break away from the Cougars to take the victory. Red Land scored twice in the 2nd quarter before adding a third touchdown in the 3rd quarter to take a 21-0 lead. Justin Kaplan, the centerpiece of Palmyra’s offense, found the end zone in the 4th to make it 21-7.

Palmyra (1-8) will finish up the regular season next Friday night with a home game against Northern York.

Previous Results

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six

Week Seven

Week Eight

2024 LebCo Football Team-by-Team Season Outlooks