Football: Zimmerman Scores Three, Crest Defense Forces Six Turnovers in Win Over Penn Manor

Written by Gavin Sweeney, a local high school student and aspiring sports journalist

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The Falcons (1-2) entered Week 4’s matchup against Penn Manor looking to even their record as they opened Section 1 play. After learning hard lessons in back-to-back games against Spring Grove and Warwick, Cedar Crest came in determined to turn the page—and they did just that.

In the 1st quarter, the Falcons wasted no time as running back Isaiah Zimmerman broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run. The Comets blocked the extra point, keeping it 6-0, but Crest’s defense was dialed in from the start. Linebacker Landyn Kline led the charge, completely controlling the game and shutting down Penn Manor’s offense. That defensive dominance set up a blocked punt, and the Falcons quickly capitalized when wide receiver Cameron Tirado raced in for a 21-yard touchdown—sprung free by a crushing block from Zimmerman. The Falcons ended the opening quarter up 13-0.

In the 2nd quarter, Penn Manor showed some fight with a 1-yard score from running back Jalen Dupree, cutting it to 13-7. But the Falcons answered immediately—Zimmerman struck again to push the lead to 20-7. Then came the game’s biggest swing: feeding off the roar of the student section, Kline jumped in front of a pass for an interception and returned it 37 yards before being dragged down just shy of the goal line. Zimmerman punched it in for his third touchdown of the night, completing the hat trick. Crest’s defense wasn’t done either—d-back Eli Beard grabbed an interception after linebacker Mason Copenhaver tipped a pass into the air. By halftime, the Falcons had seized control, leading 27-7.

The 3rd quarter brought more fireworks. After Kline blew up a drive with a huge sack, Crest struck on the very next series. Quarterback Steven Reyes ( 7-of-12, 131 yards, 2 TD), a sophomore in his first start, launched a perfect 70-yard bomb to receiver Luke Oriel (2 catches, 75 yards, TD) to extend the lead to 33-7. Minutes later, another interception—this time from Antonio Tirado —set up Reyes’ second touchdown pass, a 17-yard strike to Liam Setcavage, making it 40-7. Penn Manor missed a field goal late in the quarter, and by then the outcome was clear.

In the 4th quarter, Cedar Crest rotated in its freshmen and sophomores for valuable game reps. Dupree tacked on one last score for the Comets to cut it to 40-15, but the Falcons still had one more defensive highlight. Nolan Brubaker recovered a fumble, sealing the night’s dominant performance.

The Falcons’ defense forced six turnovers—three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and constant pressure from a front led by Kline, who finished with 11 tackles (5 for loss), a sack, and an interception. Zimmerman carried the offense with 101 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on just 10 carries, while Reyes spread the field with two long touchdown passes.

With the 40-15 win, Cedar Crest improves to 2-2 and looks to carry its momentum into next week’s showdown against Wilson High School.

 Cedar Crest 40, Penn Manor 15

Cedar Crest Stats

Passing:

• • Steven Reyes – 7/12, 131 yards, 2 TD

  • Cameron Hansell – 0/1

Rushing:

• • Isaiah Zimmerman – 10 carries, 101 yards, 3 TD

  • Eddiel Nunez – 7 carries, 31 yards

  • Steven Reyes – 4 carries, 26 yards

  • Cameron Tirado – 2 carries, 20 yards, 1 TD

  • James Smith – 2 carries, 18 yards

  • Cameron Hansell – 5 carries, 7 yards

Receiving:

• • Luke Oriel – 2 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD

  • Isaiah Zimmerman – 2 receptions, 25 yards

  • Liam Setcavage – 1 reception, 17 yards, 1 TD

  • Cameron Tirado – 0 receptions, 9 yards

  • Travis Kemberling – 1 reception, 5 yards

Defensive Leaders:

• • Landyn Kline – 11 tackles (9 assists, 2 solo), 5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT

  • Garrett Starry – 10 tackles (8 assists, 2 solo), 1 TFL, 3 QB hurries

  • Connor McCracken – 9 tackles (9 assists), 2 TFL, 2 QB hurries

  • Kasen Dudek – 8 tackles (7 assists, 1 solo), 1 TFL

  • Mason Copenhaver – 7 tackles (5 assists, 2 solo), 1 QB hurry

  • Jackson Chernich – 6 tackles (5 assists, 1 solo), 2 TFL

  • Eli Beard – 4 tackles (2 assists, 2 solo), 1 INT

  • Skyler Sherman – 4 tackles (4 assists)

  • Damyen Derr – 4 tackles (4 assists)

  • Jayden Storm – 3 tackles (3 assists), 1 TFL

  • Connor Shanaman – 3 tackles (3 assists)

  • Damarius Galarza – 2 tackles (2 assists)

  • Jamil Gordon – 2 tackles (2 assists)

  • Antonio Tirado – 2 tackles (1 assist, 1 solo), 1 INT

  • Jackson Smith – 2 tackles (1 assist, 1 solo)

  • Yadi Rosario – 1 tackle (1 assist)

  • Diego Yanez – 1 tackle (1 assist)

  • Travis Kemberling – 1 tackle (1 assist)

  • Christian Simpson – 1 tackle (1 assist)

  • Caden Wolfe – 1 tackle (1 assist)

  • Jimmy Trump – 1 tackle (1 assist), 1 TFL

  • Nolan Brubaker – 1 tackle (1 assist), 1 TD

  • Josh Grove – 1 tackle (1 assist)

  • J. Simpson Anderson – 1 tackle (1 assist), 1 forced fumble

  • Jayden Marley – 1 tackle (1 solo)

  • Luke Oriel – 1 tackle (1 solo)

  • Cameron Tirado – 1 tackle (1 solo)

  • Gabe Kaign – 1 tackle (1 solo)

Game Highlights

Week 2: Starry’s Pick-Six Ignites Rally, But Cedar Crest’s Comeback Attempt Stalled by Rockets

Week 1: Cedar Crest Rallies to Defeat Lower Dauphin in Battle of the Falcons

Cedar Crest Falcon Football – 2025 Season Outlook

For more Week 4 Coverage, check out: LebCo High School Football: Week 4 Results

2025 LebCo Football Team-by-Team Season Outlooks