By Robert Griffiths
With over 25 years of high school coaching experience in Toms River, NJ, South Lebanon resident Griffiths brings his insight to provide perspective.
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Football Sure Has Changed Over the Years!
To say our beloved game of football has changed over the years is a gross understatement. More than a few of these changes I have witnessed myself. After all, I began coaching high school football in 1973. Somehow, I think the game was a little different then—and that’s also a gross understatement.
When I began coaching, the game was all about running the ball. We lined up in an “I” or power “I” formation with a fullback as lead blocker, trying to wear down the defense like a battering ram knocking down a castle wall. As far as passing the ball, the older coaches used to say there are three things that can happen when you throw the football, and two of them are bad. If we threw the ball at all, it was usually out of desperation.
Defensively, we copied the system Woody Hayes and Ohio State used in the 1969 Rose Bowl to defeat O. J. Simpson and the powerful USC Trojans—namely, the famous 5-2 Monster defense that matched up pretty well with the five blocking linemen and lead fullback of the “I” formation.
Next, as I remember, came the wishbone formation and the triple option. That thing caught on like wildfire. The wishbone was actually invented by a junior high football coach in Texas named Charles “Spud” Cason. It was adopted early by Darrell Royal and the Texas Longhorns, and later by Barry Switzer at the University of Oklahoma. Both schools used the wishbone triple option to win national championships.
Then came a complete revolution to the game of football. A coach named Don “Air” Coryell appeared on the West Coast, and now it was a case of “Katie bar the door.” Football was never going to be the same. Changes came faster than you could learn the systems. Suddenly, football was all about going vertical, spread offenses, mobile quarterbacks, zone reads, bubble screens, and speed—speed, and more speed. To say you need to defend the whole field is another gross understatement. Bottom line, your athletes had better match up with their athletes, or the chase is on—and in football, chasing the ball carrier usually doesn’t end well.
There are still a few things that, fortunately, never change about the game: the dedication required, the work ethic, and the bond that forms between coaches and players—a bond that lasts a lifetime.
Lancaster Lebanon League Football
Week 3 Breakdown
Annville-Cleona Dutchmen
On Thursday night, the Dutchmen earned a hard-fought victory over the Hanover Nighthawks by a score of 10-7.
The Dutchmen can spread credit for this victory among the entire team, beginning with QB Lane Peters, who helped establish a passing game when it was needed. Peters went 5/7 passing for 100 yards. A-C’s defense also made game-saving plays, including two interceptions at their own goal line to thwart go-ahead touchdowns for the Nighthawks. Two sophomores, Jalynn Moyer and Danny Shay, made these clutch interceptions.
It is somewhat unusual in high school football for a field goal to turn out to be the margin of victory. Consider the fact that, as seconds ticked off the clock before halftime, Cian Soliday drilled a 34-yard field goal that turned out to be the game-winning points. Within the game statistics, Soliday will get well-deserved credit for this field goal. But credit for every PAT or field goal rightly belongs to three players: the kicker, holder, and snapper. Every special teams coach knows that these three players need to execute near perfectly to ensure the ball sails between the uprights. Building mutual confidence between the kicker, holder, and snapper is a critical part of the game that often goes unacknowledged.
These first two victories of the season have not come easily for the Dutchmen. Their success can be attributed to game-winning efforts and preparation from their offense, defense, and special teams—a genuine team effort.
This week, the Dutchmen will take on Littlestown Thunderbolts (0-2) at home on Friday night. The Thunderbolts enter this game seeking their first victory. This year’s matchup is similar to last year’s, when Littlestown also entered winless but managed to pull out a 27-21 victory.
Prediction –With Peters keeping defenses honest through the air and a ball-hawking defense led by young playmakers like Moyer and Shay, Annville-Cleona has the balance to stay unbeaten. If Soliday continues to provide clutch special teams play, the Dutchmen should have the edge against Littlestown.
Clutch Defense, Timely Kicking Power Annville-Cleona Past Hanover
Photo by Travis Boyd
Cedar Crest Falcons
On Friday night, the Falcons lost to Spring Grove by a score of 27-13.
The Falcons were able to bite off chunks of yardage against Spring Grove, seemingly moving the ball at will—one bite after another—repeatedly driving the ball to their opponent’s red zone. But then it happened: they left the last bite on the plate and failed to score any points. In the second half, the Falcons had the ball on the Spring Grove 10, 5, 14, and 20-yard lines and were not able to put the ball in the end zone, meaning they passed up on 24 points.
Of course, credit must also go to the Spring Grove defense for tightening up and forcing Falcon miscues and interceptions inside the red zone. The only score the Falcons had in the second half was another pick-six by Garrett Starry.
The Falcons’ offense is finding success with their short passing schemes. When the Falcons execute high-percentage passes, they succeed. Given the type of athleticism they have, short patterns like hitches, curls, slants, bubbles, and middle screens have been very successful and help to build confidence. This strategy tends to open up running lanes for Isaiah Zimmerman, one of the best running backs in the conference. At some point, the Falcon offense will gel. Hopefully, that will happen sooner rather than later.
Next week, Cedar Crest will take on the Warwick Warriors at home. Warwick (2-0) comes into the game undefeated. The Warriors are coming off a quality win over Lampeter-Strasburg last week by a score of 14-7. As a rule, the Warriors always tend to come up with a strong effort against the Falcons. Last year’s upset victory by Warwick, 19-3, was evidence of that. The Warriors appear to be on the warpath this season. The Falcons have one week of practice to shore up their offense and exhibit the kind of complete team effort required to beat Warwick.
Prediction – If the Falcons finish drives and limit red-zone mistakes, their short passing game and the running of Zimmerman could finally click. However, facing Warwick’s stingy defense means Cedar Crest must execute with precision to avoid falling behind early.
Starry’s Pick-Six Ignites Rally, But Cedar Crest’s Comeback Attempt Stalled by Rockets
Photo by Rachelle Isgriggs
ELCO Raiders
On Thursday night, ELCO suffered their second loss of the season to the Conrad Weiser Scouts by a score of 28-14.
Not all losses are meant to be viewed in the same light. Some turn out to be a positive turning point and a building block for the future. That could be the case for the Raiders after this defeat.
ELCO fought back to tie this game not once, but twice. It seems the Raiders refused to go quietly into the night. QB Brinley Donmoyer rushed 15 times for 105 yards and a touchdown, while also completing 6/11 passes for 52 yards. Gavin Yeiser contributed for the second week in a row with 24 yards on the ground and another 25 yards on two pass receptions.
The game was actually closer than the score indicates. In the 4th quarter, Donmoyer had a 35-yard run tying the game at 14-14. Later in the 4th quarter, with Conrad Weiser leading 21-14, the Raiders were driving to tie the game when Donmoyer’s pass was picked off and returned for a touchdown that sealed the victory for the Scouts.
Next Friday night, ELCO will take on the Lancaster Catholic Crusaders. Lancaster Catholic (2-0) brings a balanced offensive attack anchored by QB J.J. Boas, who has completed 70% of his passes for 406 yards and six TDs. Colton Hegener has contributed seven of those receptions for 124 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, Brandon Way has gained 302 yards on the ground along with four TDs.
Prediction – The Raiders’ fight against Conrad Weiser showed growth, and if Donmoyer keeps producing both on the ground and through the air, ELCO has a chance to turn things around. For the Raiders to grab their first win, the defense must find a way to slow down Lancaster Catholic’s high-powered attack.
ELCO Shows Heart and Relentless Effort in Tribute to Coach Carley
Photo by Heather Daub
Lebanon Cedars
Last week, the Cedars lost their second game of the season to Garden Spot by a score of 38-0. Despite a consistent effort, Lebanon has not been able to score a touchdown so far this season.
Unfortunately, the Cedars’ consecutive losing streak is now at 45 games spanning five years. For anyone familiar with the physical side of the game, there must be some degree of concern for the continued safety of the players. Lebanon is undermanned with low participation rates compared to other teams in the Lancaster-Lebanon League (Section 2). Injuries in the course of the season are inevitable, and given the lack of participation numbers, it is possible that substitutes for the Cedars may not be prepared physically for the level of competition they will be facing.
Fixing the Cedars football program will take more than changing coaching methodology or providing an adequate home stadium and practice facilities. We may be headed toward a point where the Lebanon School District meets with Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) officials to discuss possible adjustments. PIAA does not have policies to specifically address fixing a football program but can, at the request of the school district, drop a school to a lower competitive classification. At this point, there is no evidence that the school district or AD has made such a request. If the Lebanon SD has already done so, the situation may require a new request given the low participation numbers.
Regrettably, there is another pressing issue that could shortly come to dominate this discussion. The present football roster of the Cedars is senior-heavy, meaning the current roster of considerably fewer than 30 participants could be cut in half by graduation next fall, placing the entire football program in jeopardy. Although identifying the problems is easy, solutions are not so simple. I am sure the administrators at Lebanon School District are far more aware of the contributing factors than anyone.
But the Cedars’ season will go on, and this week they will travel to face the Conrad Weiser Scouts on Friday evening. The Scouts are undefeated, having beaten both Abington and ELCO. The Cedars will continue to give everything they have to win their first game of the season, but the advantage goes to the Scouts.
Prediction – The Cedars’ effort remains strong despite their struggles, but to break the streak they must find a way to generate offense and protect a thin roster. Until that happens, opponents like Conrad Weiser will remain heavy favorites.
Northern Lebanon Vikings
Last week, the Vikings lost a close game to Oxford by a score of 16-13.
In their game against Northern Lebanon, Oxford did something every defensive coordinator would like to accomplish with their game plan—completely shut down an opponent’s running game. The Rockets’ defense held the Vikings to only 16 yards rushing on 25 attempts. The Vikings effectively became a one-dimensional passing offense, and that seldom results in victory.
Despite being limited to the passing side of the play-calling sheet, Northern Lebanon almost pulled this game out. QB Bryan Mitzel did a masterful job of keeping the Vikings in the game by completing 14 of 18 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns. That’s an amazing completion rate of 78% with no interceptions against a defense that knew he was forced to pass. Mitzel was obviously on the same page with his receivers, including Ryan Clemmer (3 receptions, 94 yards, 1 touchdown), Bryce Yocum (4 receptions, 41 yards, 1 touchdown), and Landon Copenhaver (5 receptions, 57 yards).
This week, Northern Lebanon will travel to play the Delone Catholic Squires on Friday night. The Squires are 0-2, having lost to Susquehannock and Lancaster Catholic. If the Vikings are able to come up with a more effective running game than they managed against Oxford—combined with their proven dangerous passing attack guided by QB Bryan Mitzel—the Vikings could add one to the win column. The Vikings have only played Delone Catholic once in recent years, losing to the Squires last year 22-21.
Prediction – With Mitzel leading one of the county’s sharpest passing attacks, the Vikings have the tools to rebound quickly. If they can establish even a modest ground game to complement Mitzel’s efficiency, Northern Lebanon is well-positioned to take down Delone Catholic.
Northern Lebanon Goes Toe-to-Toe with Oxford in Fierce Home Opener
Photo by Susan Dengler
Last Edition: Coach’s Corner – Insights on LL League Football, Week 2 Predictions
For more Week 2 Coverage, check out: LebCo High School Football: Week 2 Results
2025 LebCo Football Team-by-Team Season Outlooks
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