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After winning four of their final five regular-season games, the ELCO Raiders entered the District 3 Class 4A Playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the bracket. Their late-season surge earned them the #9 seed and a long road trip to face #8 Kennard-Dale, a team that had also caught fire with three straight wins to close out its regular season. In a game that tested their focus and toughness from the start, the Raiders once again found a way to deliver in the postseason, grinding out a 28–21 victory to advance to the quarterfinals.
The challenges began long before kickoff. It was Halloween, the players had the day off from school, and the trip to southern York County meant several hours on the bus in windy, cold conditions. Still, ELCO handled it all with composure.
“We are super proud of these kids to be able to compartmentalize all the distractions that come with a game like this,” Miller said. “Halloween, they had the day off of school, the long bus ride, the wind and cold, and a challenging opponent. With the help of our boosters and administration, these kids had a first-class experience.”
Those distractions didn’t slow the Raiders. After Kennard-Dale opened the game with a touchdown drive to take a 7–0 lead, ELCO settled in and leaned on what has carried them all season — their powerful ground attack and a defense that makes plays when it matters most.
Midway through the second quarter, Ellis Gensamer broke loose for a 24-yard touchdown run, putting the Raiders on the board and cutting the deficit to 7–6. Gensamer was the engine of ELCO’s offense all night, finishing with 25 carries for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Brinley Donmoyer followed that score with a physical 1-yard plunge on the next possession, then added a two-point conversion to give the Raiders their first lead at 14–7. The defense followed suit as Darryl Legrande intercepted a Kennard-Dale pass just before halftime, helping ELCO carry that advantage into the break.
In the second half, the Raiders wasted no time adding to their lead. Just three minutes into the third quarter, Gensamer struck again — this time from 22 yards out. Donmoyer converted another two-point attempt to make it 22–7, and Legrande immediately shut down the Rams’ next drive with his second interception of the night.
Kennard-Dale rallied early in the fourth quarter to pull within 22–14, but ELCO’s offense responded instantly. On the second play of their next drive, Chandler Gass raced 36 yards to the end zone, reestablishing a two-score lead at 28–14. The Rams scored once more late in the fourth, but ELCO’s defense held strong to seal a 28–21 victory — the Raiders’ third straight opening-round District 3 playoff win.
ELCO’s defensive effort was anchored by Griffin Kreider (14 total tackles), Jonathan Zimmerman (10 tackles, forced fumble, and recovery), and Cody Landis (9 tackles). Behind them, Legrande’s two picks and three pass breakups provided the spark in the secondary.
As Miller reflected after the game, his pride went well beyond the scoreboard: “It’s amazing what strength kids have and what they can do when they believe in themselves — and when people care enough to share that belief in them,” he said.
With the victory, ELCO (6–5) advances to the District 3 Class 4A Quarterfinals, where they’ll face top-seeded Susquehanna Township on Friday night.
ELCO 28, Kennard-Dale 21
ELCO Stats
Passing
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Brinley Donmoyer – 0/1
Rushing
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Ellis Gensamer – 25 carries, 194 yds, 2 TD, 2-pt conversion
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Brinley Donmoyer – 17 carries, 22 yds, TD, 2-pt conversion
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Chandler Gass – 2 carries, 39 yds, TD
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Gavin Yeiser – 3 carries, 6 yds
Defensive Leaders
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Griffin Kreider – 10 solo tackles, 4 assists (14 TT)
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Jonathan Zimmerman – 3 solo tackles, 7 assists (10 TT), 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
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Cody Landis – 3 solo tackles, 6 assists (9 TT)
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Alejandro Weister – 3 solo tackles, 3 assists (6 TT), 1 pass breakup
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Darryl Legrande – 5 solo tackles (5 TT), 3 pass breakups, 2 interceptions
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Conner Showalter – 2 solo tackles, 2 assists (4 TT)
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Kayden Wagner – 2 solo tackles, 2 assists (4 TT)
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Chandler Gass – 1 solo tackle, 2 assists (3 TT)
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Dalton Pyszka – 3 solo tackles (3 TT)
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Paul Williams – 1 solo tackle, 1 assist (2 TT)
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Ethan Bretzius – 2 solo tackles (2 TT)
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Michael Seifert – 1 solo tackle, 1 assist (2 TT)
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Dale Kohr – 1 solo tackle, 1 assist (2 TT)
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Jayden Garman – 1 solo tackle (1 TT)
Turnovers Forced
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Darryl Legrande – 2 interceptions
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Jonathan Zimmerman – 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
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