Annville-Cleona

Football: Annville-Cleona Avenges Last Year’s Heartbreaker with Strong Opener

by
LebCoSports Staff
August 24, 2025

Photos by Travis Boyd of Real Life Photography

The recap was written using information provided by Annville-Cleona student Jackson Hanley, a proud member of student body & serves as the school’s Student Sports Media Director.

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

Last season, Biglerville spoiled Annville-Cleona’s opener with a late touchdown in a 39-36 heartbreaker. On Friday night, the Dutchmen were determined to change that narrative. Backed by a roster of young athletes eager to prove themselves, Annville-Cleona set out to make a statement under the Week 1 lights.

The first quarter was a defensive battle, with the only points coming from a Biglerville field goal that gave the visitors a 3-0 edge.

Early in the second quarter, the Dutchmen offense found its rhythm. Jon Moran broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run, and with Cian Soliday’s extra point, Annville-Cleona took a 7-3 lead. Moments later, the Dutchmen struck again, this time with quarterback Lane Peters powering in from two yards out. A successful two-point conversion by Peters stretched the advantage to 15-3 heading into halftime.

The defense carried the momentum into the third quarter. Facing a critical 4th-and-short, the Dutchmen stuffed Biglerville’s attempt to extend their drive. On the next possession, sophomore Danny Shay came up big with an interception to halt another Canners push.

With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Soliday connected on a 26-yard field goal to make it 18-3. Biglerville finally broke through with a touchdown in the closing minutes, threatening déjà vu. But this time, Annville-Cleona was ready. The Dutchmen secured the onside kick, marched into victory formation, and sealed a long-awaited redemption.

The 18-10 victory not only avenged last season’s opener but also gave Annville-Cleona the fresh start they wanted, improving their record to 1-0.

In the game, Annville-Cleona relied on their game attack to which racked up 196 yards.

The Dutchmen (1-0) will return to action next Thursday when they travel to Hanover.

Annville-Cleona Stats

Passing: Lane Peters – 1/5, 1 yd, INT

Rushing: Jonathan Moran – 6 carries, 66 yds, TD; Devon Englehart – 13 carries, 42 yds; Lane Peters – 14 carries, 42 yds, TD; Danny Shay – 4 carries, 25 yds; Yamaliel Navarro – 5 carries, 21 yds

Receiving: Jonathan Moran – 1 reception, 1 yd

All-Purpose Yards: Jonathan Moran – 90 yds; Danny Shay – 48 yds; Lane Peters – 42 yds; Devon Englehart – 42 yds; Yamaliel Navarro – 21 yds; Dominic Nash – 12 yds

Defensive Leaders: Armani Santos – 8 tackles, 1 sack; Kaidavin Ginting – 7 tackles, 1 sack; Jonathan Moran – 6 tackles; Logan Radocha – 6 tackles, 1 fumble recovery; Danny Shay – 5 tackles, INT (23 yds); Maddox White – 2 tackles; Jaylynn Moyer – 2 tackles; James Garney – 1 tackle; Daniel Shuey – 1 tackle; Jordan Nickens – 1 tackle

Kicking: Cian Soliday – 1/1 PAT, 23-yd FG, 4 pts; also 4 kickoffs (2 touchbacks)

Punting: Max Ortwein – 4 punts, 146 yds (36.5 avg)

Kick/Punt Returns: Jonathan Moran – 1 KR, 23 yds; Dominic Nash – 1 KR, 12 yds

Scoring: Lane Peters – 1 rushing TD, 1 two-point conversion (8 pts); Jonathan Moran – 1 rushing TD (6 pts); Cian Soliday – 1 FG, 1 PAT (4 pts)

Coach Gingrich’s Post-Game Thoughts

“This was a good first win for a very young team. Our older kids, particularly Hudson Sellers, played really well on defense. We gave up a lot of yards in the 20s, but didn’t give up any points. We played well down at the goal line. Sellers, Jaxson Speece, and Kada Benson led the defensive effort. Danny Shay had the first interception of his career. A lot of young kids played and did well to help the effort.

On offense, we only had the ball for six series and we only had Jon Moran for three of them. He cramped up and barely played in the second half. In the first half, we scored 15 points on three series with two touchdowns in a row. After the first series, we only ran 47 plays because they held the ball a lot.

Lane Peters played really well. The offensive line played really well. We kind of just salted the game away in the second half. After not scoring on the first series, we scored on the next two, then later kicked a field goal after a long drive—that was it.

The kids played very well. They played physical. You could tell it was their first game. There were definitely some nerves to start, but once they got going, they were fine.

We have a big test this week with Hanover. They are much better and we have to travel down there on a Thursday.”