Featuring photos by Susan Dengler (Owlcatraz Photography) & reporting by Braydin Adams
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Written with information provided by Braydin Adams
Northern Lebanon Makes Statement in Monroe’s Debut, Rolls Past Pine Grove
There were plenty of reasons for optimism surrounding Northern Lebanon as the Vikings kicked off the 2026 season Friday night. A new head coach, a freshman quarterback and the return of several experienced players gave the program a fresh feel entering the year.
One game in, there is even more reason for excitement.
Northern Lebanon overwhelmed Pine Grove, 41-2, giving Nate Monroe a victory in his head coaching debut. The Vikings scored on offense, defense and special teams, forced five turnovers and limited the Cardinals to just a safety as their only points.
At the center of it all was Brady Ryan.
After missing most of the 2025 season because of injury, the senior made his return in emphatic fashion. Ryan rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries, returned an interception 46 yards for another score and took a punt 52 yards to the end zone. By the end of the night, he had accounted for four touchdowns in three different phases of the game.
Ryan’s first score was much less dramatic, but it came after Northern Lebanon’s defense immediately established the tone.
Pine Grove went three-and-out on its opening possession before trying a fake punt. Landon Copenhaver made the stop, handing the Vikings excellent field position, and Ryan eventually punched the ball across the goal line from a yard out to put Northern Lebanon ahead 7-0.
Ryan celebrates his first of four TDs.
The next score provided an early glimpse at the Vikings’ future.
Freshman Markus Miller, making his first varsity start at quarterback, connected with Johnny Hilton for a 46-yard touchdown. It was one of only four Northern Lebanon completions on the night, but the Vikings made them count. Miller finished 4-of-10 for 119 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, averaging nearly 30 yards per completion.
Hilton hauls in TD pass from Miller.
The 14-0 advantage after one quarter was only the beginning.
Northern Lebanon continued creating opportunities defensively in the second quarter. Freshman Blayze Kimm recovered a fumble at the Pine Grove 49-yard line, and Miller turned the takeaway into points by finding Ryan Clemmer for a 21-yard touchdown.
Freshman QB Markus Miller under center in his first varsity game.
Clemmer later made an impact on the other side of the football with an interception, finishing with four tackles and a pass defended in addition to his offensive touchdown.
Ryan then supplied one of the biggest plays of the first half when he intercepted a Pine Grove pass and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown. His second score of the night stretched Northern Lebanon’s lead to 28-0.
Pine Grove’s only points came when Miller was brought down in the end zone for a safety, sending Northern Lebanon into halftime with a 28-2 advantage.
The Vikings had already established control, but Ryan removed any lingering doubt almost immediately after the break.
The senior broke loose for a 72-yard touchdown run, the longest play of his 137-yard rushing performance. Northern Lebanon finished with 157 rushing yards as a team, with Christian Spencer adding 22 yards on five carries.
Ryan still was not finished.
His fourth and final touchdown came on special teams, where he returned a punt 52 yards for a score. The play pushed Northern Lebanon’s lead to 41-2 and completed a rare night in which the senior scored twice from scrimmage, once on defense and once on special teams.
While Ryan supplied the highlights, Northern Lebanon’s defense provided the foundation.
The Vikings were credited with 79 total tackles, eight quarterback hits, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Pine Grove never reached the end zone, and Northern Lebanon repeatedly turned defensive stops and takeaways into favorable field position for its offense.
Christian Spencer led the team with nine tackles, including seven assists. Kimm was right behind him with seven tackles, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery in his varsity debut.
The pressure came from several directions.
Bryce Yocum registered five tackles, a sack, three quarterback hits and a fumble recovery. Vinny Moyer had four tackles, two quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a recovery, while Sam Kline recorded six tackles and a tackle for loss.
Northern Lebanon also received five tackles apiece from Landon Copenhaver and Landon Graby, while Simeon England and Johnny Appleton each finished with four.
The turnover numbers were particularly impressive. Brady Ryan and Ryan Clemmer each intercepted a pass, while Blayze Kimm, Bryce Yocum and Vinny Moyer recovered fumbles. Five Pine Grove possessions therefore ended with the football in Northern Lebanon’s hands.
Offensively, the Vikings did not need to pile up huge yardage because their defense and special teams continually created opportunities. Northern Lebanon finished with 276 total offensive yards — 157 rushing and 119 passing — while scoring four offensive touchdowns. The other two touchdowns came courtesy of Ryan’s interception and punt returns.
Landon Copenhaver led the receiving corps with two catches for 52 yards, while Johnny Hilton’s lone reception went for a 46-yard touchdown and Ryan Clemmer turned his only catch into a 21-yard score.
For Miller, his first night directing a varsity offense resulted in two touchdown passes, no interceptions and, most importantly, a victory.
“It was a good team win,” Miller said.
It was also an impressive beginning to a new chapter for Northern Lebanon.
Monroe’s first game featured contributions from veterans and newcomers alike. Ryan made a spectacular return, Miller and Kimm delivered in their varsity debuts, and the defense kept Pine Grove from scoring an offensive touchdown.
The Vikings will find out quickly how well that performance carries over.
Northern Lebanon remains home in Week 2 to face Hamburg, and the Hawks will arrive with plenty of momentum of their own. Hamburg opened its season with a 42-7 rout of Midd-West, meaning Friday’s matchup will feature two teams coming off dominant Week 1 victories.
For Northern Lebanon, it represents an immediate opportunity to build upon a 41-2 opening statement and continue what has been an encouraging start to the Monroe era.
Northern Lebanon 41, Pine Grove 2
Northern Lebanon Stats
Northern Lebanon Stats
Passing
- Markus Miller: 4/10, 119 Yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
- Team: 4/10, 119 Yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
Rushing
- Brady Ryan: 11 Att, 137 Yds, 2 TD (72 Long)
- Christian Spencer: 5 Att, 22 Yds (9 Long)
- Vinny Moyer: 1 Att, 0 Yds
- Markus Miller: 2 Att, -2 Yds
- Team: 19 Att, 157 Yds, 2 TD
Receiving
- Landon Copenhaver: 2 Rec, 52 Yds (33 Long)
- Johnny Hilton: 1 Rec, 46 Yds, 1 TD
- Ryan Clemmer: 1 Rec, 21 Yds, 1 TD
- Team: 4 Rec, 119 Yds, 2 TD
Defensive Stats
- Christian Spencer: 2 Solo, 7 Assist, 9 Total
- Blayze Kimm: 4 Solo, 3 Assist, 7 Total, 1 QB Hit, 1 FR
- Sam Kline: 4 Solo, 2 Assist, 6 Total, 1 TFL
- Bryce Yocum: 3 Solo, 2 Assist, 5 Total, 1 Sack, 3 QB Hits, 1 FR
- Brady Ryan: 4 Solo, 1 Assist, 5 Total, 1 INT, 1 Defensive TD
- Landon Copenhaver: 3 Solo, 2 Assist, 5 Total
- Landon Graby: 5 Assist, 5 Total
- Ryan Clemmer: 3 Solo, 1 Assist, 4 Total, 1 INT, 1 Pass Defended
- Simeon England: 3 Solo, 1 Assist, 4 Total
- Vinny Moyer: 3 Solo, 1 Assist, 4 Total, 2 QB Hits, 1 FF, 1 FR
- Johnny Appleton: 2 Solo, 2 Assist, 4 Total
- Dante McFarland: 2 Solo, 1 Assist, 3 Total
- Connor Wallish: 2 Solo, 1 Assist, 3 Total
- Owen Dohner: 3 Assist, 3 Total, 1 QB Hit
- Trent Walborn: 2 Solo, 2 Total
- Bentley Humphrey: 1 Solo, 1 Total
- Anthony Peters: 1 Assist, 1 Total
- Gage Freed: 1 Solo, 1 Total
- Kian Gibson: 1 Assist, 1 Total
- Justin Bennethum: 1 Assist, 1 Total
- Greyson McQuaide: 1 Assist, 1 Total, 1 QB Hit
- Chase Birkhead: 1 Pass Defended
Turnovers
- Brady Ryan: 1 INT, 46-Yd TD Return
- Ryan Clemmer: 1 INT
- Blayze Kimm: 1 FR
- Bryce Yocum: 1 FR
- Vinny Moyer: 1 FF, 1 FR
- Team: 5 Takeaways (2 INT, 3 FR)
Scoring
- Brady Ryan: 4 TD — 2 Rushing, 1 Defensive, 1 Punt Return
- Johnny Hilton: 1 Receiving TD
- Ryan Clemmer: 1 Receiving TD
- Markus Miller: 2 Passing TD
Special Teams
- Brady Ryan: 1 Punt Return, 52 Yds, 1 TD
- Johnny Hilton: 7 Kickoffs, 360 Yds (60 Long), 1 Touchback
Team Offense
- 276 Total Yds
- 157 Rushing Yds
- 119 Passing Yds
- 6 First Downs
- 4 Offensive TD
- 10 Penalties, 110 Yds
Team Defense
- 79 Total Tackles
- 40 Solo Tackles
- 39 Assists
- 2 TFL
- 1 Sack
- 8 QB Hits
- 2 INT
- 1 Forced Fumble
- 3 Fumble Recoveries
- 5 Total Takeaways
- 2 Passes Defended
- 1 Defensive TD
Northern Lebanon Viking Football – 2026 Season Outlook
For more Week 1 Coverage, check out: LebCo High School Football: Week 1 Results
2026 LebCo Football Team-by-Team Season Outlooks
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