This post will serve as a rolling update of Week 3 football action across LebCo. With all six county teams in action this weekend, we’ll be compiling the latest details and highlights as the games unfold.
Be sure to check back often for updates on your favorite teams.
The Annville-Cleona recap was written with information provided by Jackson Hanley.
The Cedar Crest recap was written with information provided by assistant editor Gavin Sweeney.
The Lebanon recap was written by Braydin Adams.
The ELCO recap was written with information provided by Asher Parham.
The Palmyra recap was written with information provided by Luke Johnson.
If you like this type of coverage, please let us know by Following us on social media: Twitter/X – @lebcosports1 and Facebook.
For any questions, comments, or discrepancies, please reach out to dan@lebcosports.com.
Friday
Cedar Crest 28, Hempfield 19
Cedar Crest entered Friday night with a perfect 3-0 record and a strong start to the 2026 season. After convincing wins over Central Dauphin East, Lebanon, and Warwick, the Falcons opened their Section 1 schedule against a Hempfield team looking to slow down Cedar Crest’s high-powered offense.
The Falcons received the opening kickoff, with Kai Speaks returning it to the 50-yard line. Cedar Crest was unable to capitalize, going three-and-out and giving Hempfield its first opportunity.
The Black Knights made their way down the field behind the duo of Landon Charles and Orion Abrams, who connected in the end zone to give Hempfield an early 7-0 lead.
Cedar Crest’s next possession ended in disaster when a bad snap rolled out of the end zone for a safety. Hempfield extended its lead to 9-0.
The Falcons, however, quickly found a way to answer.
With Hempfield driving again, Antonio Tirado came away with an interception to give Cedar Crest the momentum it needed. The Falcons took advantage of the takeaway when Steven Reyes found Damyen Derr for a 16-yard touchdown, cutting the Hempfield lead to 9-7.
Cedar Crest’s defense then came up with another key stop, giving the offense an opportunity to take control. Isaiah Zimmerman took the ball up the middle for a touchdown, putting the Falcons ahead 14-9.
It was a strong response from Cedar Crest, with Reyes making several clutch throws under pressure to help lead the Falcons down the field.
At the end of the first quarter, Cedar Crest held a 14-9 advantage.
Hempfield answered early in the second quarter when James Moore connected on a 20-yard field goal, cutting the Falcons’ lead to 14-12.
After another effective kick return from Cedar Crest, the Falcons went back to Zimmerman. The senior running back took over the drive and finished it with his second touchdown of the night, extending the Cedar Crest lead to 21-12.
The Falcons carried that nine-point advantage into halftime.
Halftime: Cedar Crest 21, Hempfield 12.
Neither team found the end zone in the third quarter, but Hempfield had an opportunity to swing the momentum when Reyes looked deep and was intercepted by Lucas Weisglass.
Cedar Crest’s defense, however, continued to keep the Black Knights from turning the turnover into points, and the Falcons carried their 21-12 lead into the fourth quarter.
Hempfield finally broke through again when Ramel Lyles rushed left for a three-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 21-19 and setting up a tense final stretch.
Cedar Crest responded with its biggest offensive answer of the night.
Reyes rolled to his right and found Garrett Starry for a 19-yard touchdown, putting the Falcons back up 28-19 with just over five minutes remaining.
Hempfield continued to fight for a way back into the game, but Kasen Dudek came up with an interception with just over a minute remaining, giving Cedar Crest the ball and effectively putting the game out of reach.
The Falcons held on for a 28-19 victory, overcoming an early 9-0 deficit and several momentum swings to remain undefeated.
Cedar Crest improves to 4-0 on the season and will now turn its attention toward another major Section 1 test. The Falcons travel to face Manheim Township next Friday, September 25, at 7 p.m., looking to keep their perfect start alive.
Annville-Cleona 35, Lancaster Catholic 20
After a difficult 1-2 start to the season, the Annville-Cleona Dutchmen opened Section 5 play Friday night against Lancaster Catholic, looking to get back on track. After falling behind 21-0 against Donegal a week ago before battling all the way back, A-C had another opportunity to make a statement against the Crusaders.
Lancaster Catholic won the toss and elected to receive to begin the game, but the Dutchmen defense wasted little time making an impact.
On just the second play from scrimmage, Annville-Cleona recovered a fumble at the Lancaster Catholic 18-yard line. The Dutchmen immediately capitalized, with John Ditzler punching it in on a goal-line sneak to give A-C a 7-0 lead with 10:04 remaining in the first quarter.
The Dutchmen struck again on their next scoring opportunity.
A long run by Yama Navarro put Annville-Cleona in excellent field position at the Lancaster Catholic 21. A few plays later, Max Ortwein took a pitch 17 yards to the end zone, extending the Dutchmen lead to 14-0 with 5:48 left in the opening quarter.
The A-C defense continued to make life difficult for the Crusaders, forcing a turnover on downs on a Lancaster Catholic drive that reached the Dutchmen’s 27-yard line.
Lancaster Catholic eventually found the end zone just before halftime on a one-yard quarterback sneak, cutting the deficit to 14-7 with 18 seconds remaining in the half.
Annville-Cleona took that seven-point advantage into the locker room.
Halftime: Annville-Cleona 14, Lancaster Catholic 7.
The Dutchmen came out of halftime with another statement drive.
On the first scoring drive of the second half, Ditzler connected with Levi Kreider for a 24-yard touchdown, pushing the A-C lead to 21-7 with 8:09 remaining in the third quarter.
Just a few minutes later, the Dutchmen struck again.
Devon Englehart broke loose for a 56-yard touchdown run, putting A-C ahead 28-7 with 5:48 left in the third quarter.
Lancaster Catholic answered with a touchdown of its own, although the Crusaders’ extra-point attempt was blocked. The score cut the Dutchmen’s advantage to 28-13 with 1:34 remaining in the quarter.
The Crusaders continued to threaten in the fourth, but A-C came up with a huge break when Lancaster Catholic fumbled at the goal line, allowing the Dutchmen to take over.
Annville-Cleona wasted no time turning that opportunity into points.
Yama Navarro took the handoff and raced 95 yards for a touchdown, blowing the game open and giving the Dutchmen a 35-13 advantage with 8:48 remaining.
Lancaster Catholic continued to battle and found the end zone on a six-yard passing touchdown, cutting the deficit to 35-20 with 2:49 remaining.
But the Dutchmen had done enough.
Annville-Cleona closed out the 35-20 victory to open Section 5 play with a win, improving to 2-2 on the season. After trailing Donegal by 21 points the previous week and ultimately falling short, the Dutchmen responded with a strong performance against Lancaster Catholic, using turnovers, explosive runs, and timely plays to control the game.
The Dutchmen now turn their attention to Columbia, where they will travel next Friday for another Section 5 matchup.
ELCO 21, Conrad Weiser 12
After a 1-2 start through three non-league games, the ELCO Raiders opened Section 4 play Friday night against rival Conrad Weiser, looking to carry some momentum into the most important stretch of their schedule.
The Raiders wasted little time making an impact.
Conrad Weiser’s first possession ended with a failed punt, giving ELCO an opportunity to take advantage of the short field. The Raiders eventually converted that opportunity when Gavin Yeiser broke loose for a 34-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-2, giving ELCO a 7-0 lead with 44 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Raiders carried that advantage into the second quarter, and their defense came up with another huge play.
With 9:53 remaining in the half, Darryl Legrande scooped up a fumble and raced 68 yards for a touchdown, giving ELCO a 14-0 lead and putting the Raiders firmly in control.
Conrad Weiser continued to look for an answer, but ELCO’s defense kept making plays. Griffin Kreider came up with a sack with 7:25 remaining in the half, while Yeiser later ripped off a 20-yard run to keep the Raiders’ offense moving.
ELCO had an opportunity to extend its lead, but the Raiders fumbled with 3:01 left in the half.
The Scouts finally capitalized on one of their opportunities when Connor Sellars connected with Brayden Hopple for an eight-yard touchdown off a play-action bootleg out of a heavy set.
The extra point was missed, leaving Conrad Weiser within striking distance at 14-6 with 48 seconds remaining before halftime.
Halftime: ELCO 14, Conrad Weiser 6.
The Scouts received the ball to begin the second half, but the Raiders continued to control the game defensively.
Connor Savitsky came up with a 24-yard run with 2:41 remaining in the third quarter, but ELCO ultimately answered with another explosive play from Yeiser.
With 1:11 left in the third, Yeiser broke through the middle and raced 51 yards for his second touchdown of the night. The score extended the Raiders’ lead to 21-6.
End of third quarter: ELCO 21, Conrad Weiser 6.
Conrad Weiser refused to go away quietly in the fourth quarter.
The Scouts recovered an onside kick with 3:40 remaining, giving themselves another opportunity to cut into the deficit. Sellars then found the end zone himself on a nine-yard quarterback draw up the middle.
Conrad Weiser attempted a two-point conversion, but the attempt failed, leaving ELCO with a 21-12 advantage and 3:56 remaining.
The Raiders were able to close the door from there.
ELCO held on for a 21-12 victory, handing Conrad Weiser its first loss of the season and opening Section 4 play with a statement win.
The Raiders improve to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in Section 4, while Conrad Weiser falls to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in Section play.
Yeiser’s two explosive touchdown runs, Legrande’s 68-yard fumble return, and a defense that consistently created opportunities helped ELCO secure the rivalry victory.
The Raiders now return home next Friday to face Wyomissing at 7 p.m. as they look to build on their Section 4-opening win.
Hershey 24, Palmyra 17
Palmyra entered Friday night’s rivalry matchup with Hershey riding a two-game winning streak and looking to remain unbeaten in Mid-Penn Keystone Division play. The Cougars had already picked up wins over Red Land and Mifflin County, but Hershey presented another major test for a Palmyra team that had started to find its rhythm.
The Cougars received the opening kickoff and immediately put together a promising drive. Aaron Villafane broke off a big run that moved Palmyra into the red zone, but the drive ended when the Cougars were intercepted.
Hershey took over and moved the ball with consecutive first downs, eventually reaching the Palmyra 17-yard line. The Trojans faced third-and-10 and were sacked, setting up fourth-and-16 with 3:04 remaining in the first quarter.
Hershey attempted a field goal shortly afterward, but the kick went wide with 2:44 left.
Palmyra was unable to capitalize on the miss, punting from its own 39-yard line after a pair of incompletions with 27 seconds left in the opening quarter.
End of first quarter: Palmyra 0, Hershey 0.
The defensive battle continued into the second quarter.
Hershey went four-and-out to open the period, and Palmyra answered with a four-and-out of its own. The Trojans then went four-and-out again, giving the Cougars another opportunity.
This time, Palmyra made it count.
With 7:43 remaining in the half, Villafane broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown run, giving the Cougars their first lead of the night at 7-0.
Hershey responded with a 40-yard completion that moved the Trojans into the red zone. After converting a third-and-10 from the 20-yard line, Hershey reached first-and-goal and eventually tied the game on a one-yard touchdown run with 5:49 remaining in the half.
The Cougars then put together another promising drive, picking up consecutive first downs and moving to the Hershey 30-yard line with 2:30 remaining.
Palmyra was stopped on fourth-and-six in the red zone with 33 seconds left, but a penalty gave the Cougars another opportunity on fourth down.
Facing fourth-and-two with 15 seconds remaining, Roman Russek used his legs to pick up the first down and move Palmyra to the goal line.
Russek’s next pass fell incomplete with four seconds left, but Palmyra elected to kick the field goal. The kick was good, giving the Cougars a 10-7 lead with one second remaining in the half.
Halftime: Palmyra 10, Hershey 7.
Hershey opened the second half with a lengthy drive, putting together consecutive first downs before reaching the Palmyra 10-yard line with 6:11 remaining in the third quarter.
The Trojans eventually faced fourth-and-goal and elected to settle for a field goal. The kick tied the game at 10-10 with 4:43 remaining in the quarter after Hershey had taken a significant amount of time off the clock.
Palmyra answered with a strong drive of its own.
The first play of the Cougars’ possession was a 16-yard run by Villafane, moving Palmyra out to its own 40-yard line. The Cougars continued to move the chains and faced a fourth-and-one from their own 49 with two minutes left in the third.
Palmyra elected to go for it, and the Cougars converted on a run up the middle.
The drive continued into the fourth quarter, and Palmyra needed only one play to break the tie.
With 11:53 remaining, Russek connected with Sid Harrison for a 30-yard touchdown, putting the Cougars ahead 17-10.
Hershey responded with another sustained drive, eventually reaching the Palmyra 10-yard line. The Trojans faced fourth-and-five and kept the offense on the field, converting the fourth down and setting up first-and-goal from the three.
Hershey finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 17-17 with 7:53 remaining.
Palmyra faced fourth-and-six from midfield on its next possession and elected to punt, but the kick traveled only eight yards. Hershey took over at the Cougars’ 42-yard line with 5:44 remaining.
The Trojans reached third-and-four from the Palmyra 48, but the pass fell incomplete. Hershey then punted, but the Cougars muffed the punt, and the Trojans recovered.
Hershey took over at the Palmyra 12-yard line with 3:53 remaining.
The Cougars’ defense stuffed the Trojans on two straight runs, setting up third-and-10 with three minutes left.
Hershey found the end zone on the next play, scoring a touchdown to take a 24-17 lead with 2:53 remaining.
Palmyra had 2:41 left to try to tie the game.
The Cougars started the drive with two straight incompletions. On third-and-10 from their own 33, Russek’s pass nearly resulted in an interception before another incompletion gave Palmyra fourth down.
The Trojans then came up with the decisive play.
With 1:51 remaining, Russek’s pass was intercepted, ending Palmyra’s final opportunity and allowing Hershey to close out the 24-17 victory.
The loss drops the Cougars to 2-2 on the season. Despite the defeat, Palmyra remained competitive throughout the rivalry matchup, taking a 17-10 lead into the fourth quarter before Hershey rallied with two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Palmyra now returns home next Friday to face Waynesboro, looking to bounce back from the rivalry loss.
Elizabethtown 85, Lebanon 6
On a sunny Friday night, the Lebanon Cedars hosted the Elizabethtown Bears, still searching for their first win of the season. The Bears came into the matchup with a record of 2-1, while the Cedars entered at 0-3.
The Cedars were led by senior quarterback Henne Cortes, while the Bears were led by junior quarterback Kolton Eckinger.
The Cedars started the game with the ball and were able to pick up a first down and move the ball, but the Bears’ defense held strong and ended the drive pretty quickly.
However, a roughing-the-kicker penalty gave the Cedars the ball right back in great field position. A pass interference call then moved Lebanon down to the Bears’ 28-yard line, giving the Cedars some energy.
The Bears’ defense held strong again, and freshman Rudy Brisbane returned an 80-yard interception for a touchdown to give the Bears a 7-0 lead.
Brisbane continued his great day with another pick-six to make the score 14-0.
The Bears then got yet another pick-six, this time from sophomore Everett Handran, to give Elizabethtown a 21-0 lead.
The Bears then recovered an onside kick, putting the Elizabethtown offense on the field for the first time at the Cedars’ 35-yard line.
Junior Prince Wratto then rushed for a five-yard touchdown to extend the Bears’ lead to 27-0.
Handran returned another interception for a touchdown to make it 34-0.
The Bears kept it going with a 43-yard handoff to Gannon Shank, giving Elizabethtown a 41-0 lead.
Another touchdown run, this time a four-yard score from Wratto, pushed the lead to 48-0.
Beckett Shank then returned a punt 54 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 54-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Bears kept adding to their lead in the second quarter, with Nick Sivulich Jr. scoring on a one-yard rushing touchdown to make it 60-0.
Elizabethtown would not slow down as freshman Eli Carter broke a 52-yard touchdown run to put the Bears up 66-0.
The Cedars were finally able to get on the board when Cortes connected on a five-yard touchdown pass, making the score 66-6.
Elizabethtown struck right back, as Carter returned a punt 72 yards for another touchdown to extend the lead to 72-6 at halftime.
The Bears continued to add to their lead in the second half.
Handran started the half by rushing for a three-yard touchdown, making the score 78-6.
Anthony Morris then broke another touchdown run to extend the Elizabethtown lead to 85-6.
That would be the final score, with Elizabethtown moving to 3-1 on the season and Lebanon dropping to 0-4.
For the Cedars, it was another difficult night, but Lebanon was able to find the end zone and continued to battle despite the large deficit.
The Cedars will now look to regroup and continue their season next week.
Saturday
Northern Lebanon at Wyomissing
LebCo High School Football: Week 3 Results
2026 LebCo Football Team-by-Team Season Outlooks
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Buzgon Davis Law
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