ELCO

Football: ELCO’s Young Raiders Show Grit in Hard-Fought Loss to West York

by
Dan Rau
August 25, 2025

Photos by Heather Daub

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On Friday night, August 22, 2025, the ELCO Raiders stepped onto the field against West York with fire in their eyes, carrying the weight of a new season and memories of last year’s journey. The Raiders, who battled back from a 1-4 start in 2024—including a 33-6 loss to these same Bulldogs—to earn a District 3 playoff berth, faced a West York team fresh off a nine-win season that ended in the AAAA semifinals against Wyomissing. For ELCO’s youthful roster, packed with new starters eager to prove themselves, this opener was a chance to show they could stand toe-to-toe with a powerhouse and lay the foundation for 2025.

West York struck first, powering to a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter with a crisp offensive drive. The Raiders, still finding their footing with a lineup heavy on first-time starters, struggled to counter. By halftime, the Bulldogs had stretched their lead to 28-7, their experience shining through. Despite the tough first half, ELCO refused to fold. In the second quarter, junior quarterback Brinley Donmoyer, battered by a relentless West York pass rush that sacked him eight times, showed the heart of a warrior. From the 1-yard line, he bulled his way into the end zone for a touchdown, the Raiders’ only score of the night, igniting a roar from the sideline and a flicker of hope in the stands.

Donmoyer’s grit defined ELCO’s spirit. Despite the sacks, he kept battling, completing 6 of 13 passes for 128 yards, including a 63-yard strike to sophomore Gavin Yeiser, who hauled in 4 receptions for 89 yards. Yeiser, a sparkplug on offense, also broke free for a 22-yard run among his 29 yards on two carries. Senior Ellis Gensamer added 36 yards on nine carries, grinding out tough yards against a stingy Bulldog defense. These flashes of potential hinted at what this young offense could become with time.

Defensively, ELCO fought with tenacity, even as West York pulled away with two more scores in the second half. Senior Conner Showalter was a beacon, flying to the ball for 5 solo tackles, 8 assists, an interception, and a pass defended, his leadership steadying a unit full of newcomers. Senior Ethan Bretzius (4 solo tackles, 9 assists) and junior Avery Shenk (3 solo tackles, 7 assists) threw their bodies into the fray, while senior Paul Williams disrupted plays with three tackles for loss. A late interception by junior Nathaniel Zimmerman stood as a testament to the Raiders’ refusal to quit, even as the scoreboard tilted against them.

The final whistle marked a tough loss for ELCO, with West York’s defense slamming the door on any second-half comeback. The Raiders walked off with a 0-1 record, but their effort spoke louder than the score. For a team breaking in so many new faces, the game was a forge—testing their mettle, exposing their raw edges, and tempering their resolve.

As ELCO turns its gaze to a Thursday night showdown against Conrad Weiser on August 28, 2025, the echoes of last season’s turnaround fuel their fire. Players like Brinley Donmoyer, who fought through eight sacks to cross the goal line and lead his team until the end, and Gavin Yeiser, a dual-threat dynamo, signal a bright future. Conner Showalter’s defensive heroics offer an anchor for a unit finding its identity. The Raiders know the road ahead is steep, but with the lessons of Friday night in their hearts, they’re ready to write the next chapter under the lights in Robesonia.

The ELCO Raiders will enter this week’s game preparations with heavy hearts, as the football program mourns the sudden loss of longtime assistant coach John Carley, who passed away over the weekend. Carley served the program for over two decades, retiring as defensive coordinator this past spring. Our thoughts are with the Carley family and all who knew him.

ELCO Stats

Passing: Brinley Donmoyer – 6/13, 128 yds, 1 INT

Rushing: Ellis Gensamer – 9 carries, 36 yds; Gavin Yeiser – 2 carries, 29 yds (22 long); Brinley Donmoyer – 21 carries, 6 yds, 1 TD; Dale Kohr – 1 carry, -7 yds

Receiving: Gavin Yeiser – 4 receptions, 89 yds (63 long); Kaden Tillison – 2 receptions, 39 yds

Defensive Leaders: Conner Showalter – 5 solo tackles, 8 assists, 1 INT, 1 PD; Ethan Bretzius – 4 solo tackles, 9 assists; Avery Shenk – 3 solo tackles, 7 assists; Riley McDonald – 5 solo tackles, 3 assists; Kaden Tillison – 4 solo tackles, 6 assists; Cody Landis – 2 solo tackles, 9 assists, 2 TFL; Paul Williams – 3 solo tackles, 4 assists, 3 TFL; Gavin Gass – 3 solo tackles, 6 assists; Dalton Pyszka – 4 solo tackles, 4 assists; Jonathan Zimmerman – 2 solo tackles, 4 assists; Gavin Yeiser – 1 solo tackle, 6 assists; Brinley Donmoyer – 1 solo tackle, 4 assists; Cameron Tillison – 2 solo tackles, 2 assists; James Kuhne – 2 solo tackles, 1 assist; Cooper Eberly – 1 solo tackle, 2 assists; Hunter Mehaffey – 1 solo tackle, 1 assist; Nathaniel Zimmerman – 1 INT; Ellis Gensamer – 1 assist