This post will serve as a rolling update of Week 9 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 were written with information provided by Jackson Hanley.
The Northern 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.
The Cedar Crest recap was written with information provided by assistant editor Gavin Sweeney.
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
Palmyra 35, Gettysburg 10
With the postseason picture beginning to take shape, Palmyra entered Friday night’s road matchup against Gettysburg knowing just how important another victory could be.
The Cougars were riding momentum following last week’s thrilling 40-34 win over rival Lower Dauphin, a result that evened their record at 4-4 and strengthened their playoff aspirations. Standing in their way was a Gettysburg squad that entered the evening at 5-3, looking to avenge last season’s 43-35 loss to Palmyra.
Despite a frustrating first half that included two lost fumbles and a late special teams setback, the Cougars took control after the break, scoring 28 unanswered points to turn a three-point halftime deficit into a convincing 35-10 victory.
Palmyra opened the game with a promising drive, using consecutive runs by quarterback Roman Russek and senior Aaron Villafane, along with screen passes to Louis Loew and Mason Kyper, to move into the red zone. However, a fumbled handoff ended the possession at the Gettysburg 16-yard line with 6:52 remaining in the first quarter.
The Cougars’ defense responded by forcing a quick three-and-out, giving Palmyra possession near midfield. Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t capitalize and was forced to punt, pinning the Warriors at their own 11-yard line.
Gettysburg found success on its next possession, highlighted by a 40-yard run that moved the Warriors into Palmyra territory. The drive continued into the second quarter before the Cougars’ defense held firm in the red zone.
With 9:48 remaining before halftime, Max Rawlings connected on a 28-yard field goal to give Gettysburg a 3-0 lead.
Palmyra began moving the ball again on its next possession, but another fumble by Russek gave the Warriors possession at the Cougar 49-yard line with 7:34 remaining. The defense once again stepped up, forcing Gettysburg into a fourth-and-four situation and a punt.
Taking over at its own 20-yard line, Palmyra finally put together the drive it needed.
Facing third-and-ten, Russek connected with Anthony Pinko for a 21-yard gain to move the chains. The quarterback later converted another third down with a run up the middle, pushing the Cougars into Gettysburg territory.
A 15-yard slant to Jaxin Robinson kept the drive moving before Alex Csongradi broke through for another 15-yard gain, setting Palmyra up inside the Warriors’ 10-yard line.
With just 43 seconds remaining in the half, Russek finished the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run, and Brenden Croutadded the extra point to give the Cougars their first lead, 7-3.
However, the celebration was short-lived.
On the ensuing kickoff, Gettysburg’s Trevor Cunningham broke free for an 85-yard touchdown return, swinging momentum back toward the Warriors with just 32 seconds remaining. The extra point gave Gettysburg a 10-7 lead heading into halftime.
Despite the turnovers and late setback, Palmyra had shown it could move the ball against the Warriors. The Cougars just needed to finish their opportunities.
And that’s exactly what happened after the break.
With 5:49 remaining in the third quarter, Russek found the end zone again on a three-yard touchdown run, putting Palmyra back in front, 14-10.
The Cougars’ defense made sure that lead would hold, keeping Gettysburg from adding to its total throughout the second half.
As the game moved into the fourth quarter, Palmyra had possession at its own 44-yard line and an opportunity to take command.
It didn’t take long.
With 10:50 remaining, Csongradi broke through for a 13-yard touchdown run, extending the Cougars’ advantage to 21-10.
Less than three minutes later, Russek struck again. The senior quarterback capped his three-touchdown rushing performance with a seven-yard scoring run at the 7:48 mark, pushing Palmyra’s lead to 28-10.
The Cougars weren’t finished. With 2:34 remaining, Villafane punched in a two-yard touchdown run, providing the final points of an impressive second-half performance.
By the final whistle, Palmyra had transformed a 10-7 halftime deficit into a 35-10 victory, scoring four second-half touchdowns while keeping Gettysburg off the scoreboard over the final two quarters.
The defensive effort was particularly impressive. Gettysburg’s only offensive points came on Rawlings’ second-quarter field goal, with the Warriors’ lone touchdown coming on Cunningham’s kickoff return.
Offensively, Russek led the way with three rushing touchdowns, while Csongradi and Villafane each added a score. The Cougars produced 21 fourth-quarter points to put the game firmly out of reach.
For a Palmyra team that has endured several heartbreaking finishes this season, the ability to overcome two first-half turnovers and a last-minute kickoff return touchdown provided another encouraging sign of the program’s growth.
After falling on the wrong side of several close contests, the Cougars have now put together back-to-back victories at a crucial point in the season, demonstrating their ability to respond to adversity and finish games.
The win improves Palmyra to 5-4, keeping Head Coach Chris Pavone’s squad firmly in the postseason conversation with one regular-season game remaining.
The Cougars will look to carry that momentum into their regular-season finale when they travel to Shippensburg next Friday night. Gettysburg, which falls to 5-4, will close its season on the road against Mifflin County.
After several weeks of coming up just short, Palmyra is finding ways to finish games when it matters most. With the District 3 playoffs approaching, the Cougars have put themselves in position to make one final push.
Annville-Cleona 47, Hamburg 7
The Annville-Cleona Dutchmen entered Friday night’s road matchup against Hamburg looking to continue building momentum as the regular season nears its conclusion. With the District 3 Class 3A playoffs approaching, every victory carries added importance, and A-C had an opportunity to strengthen its postseason positioning.
Coming off consecutive victories over Pequea Valley and Kutztown, the Dutchmen traveled to Hawk Hill looking to make it three straight. By the time the final whistle sounded, Annville-Cleona had delivered another impressive performance, rolling past Hamburg 47-7 to improve to 6-3.
The Dutchmen took control early, building a commanding first-half advantage behind a productive offensive attack and a defense that kept the Hawks from finding any rhythm.
Senior Yamaliel Navarro helped lead the rushing attack, including a big run that moved Annville-Cleona to the Hamburg 26-yard line late in the second quarter.
The Dutchmen continued driving, eventually reaching the Hamburg nine-yard line as the clock wound down. Facing fourth-and-goal with just eight seconds remaining, A-C elected to send out its field goal unit.
The kick was good with five seconds left, extending Annville-Cleona’s lead to 30-0 heading into halftime.
The Dutchmen had put themselves in complete control through the opening 24 minutes, with their defense keeping Hamburg off the scoreboard.
Annville-Cleona received the second-half kickoff looking to pick up where it left off, but an early fumble gave Hamburg an opportunity to get back into the game.
The Hawks took advantage of the turnover, moving into Dutchmen territory before their quarterback broke through for a 17-yard touchdown run. The score cut A-C’s lead to 30-7 with 7:08 remaining in the third quarter.
However, any thoughts of a Hamburg comeback were quickly erased.
Just two plays after the Hawks’ touchdown, senior Devon Englehart broke loose for an electrifying 54-yard touchdown run, restoring the Dutchmen’s 30-point advantage at 37-7 with 6:19 remaining in the third quarter.
The immediate response was another example of Annville-Cleona’s ability to produce big plays when needed.
From there, the Dutchmen’s defense took over.
Hamburg struggled to establish any offensive momentum, with A-C repeatedly forcing three-and-outs and giving its offense opportunities to extend the lead.
Danny Shay helped set the tone defensively, delivering a hard hit on the Hamburg quarterback during a third-quarter possession that ended with another Hawks punt.
The Dutchmen carried their 37-7 advantage into the fourth quarter, already deep in Hamburg territory and looking to add to their lead.
With 10:26 remaining, Annville-Cleona connected on a 35-yard field goal, extending the advantage to 40-7.
The Dutchmen continued controlling the game on both sides of the ball, with their defense forcing another punt before the offense went back to work.
With six minutes remaining, Navarro found the end zone on a 17-yard touchdown run, putting the finishing touches on A-C’s offensive performance and extending the lead to 47-7.
As the game moved into its final minutes, the running clock was in effect, and Annville-Cleona began rotating reserves into the lineup.
Even with backups seeing action, the Dutchmen continued to keep Hamburg’s offense in check, forcing another punt before running out the remaining time.
The 47-7 victory marked Annville-Cleona’s third consecutive win and continued an impressive stretch of football as the postseason approaches.
While the Dutchmen’s offense once again demonstrated its ability to produce explosive plays, the defense played an equally important role. Hamburg’s only touchdown came following an A-C turnover early in the second half, and the Hawks struggled to sustain drives throughout the remainder of the game.
Offensively, Englehart’s 54-yard touchdown run provided one of the night’s biggest highlights, while Navarro continued his strong senior season with another rushing touchdown. The Dutchmen also received contributions from their kicking game, connecting on field goals late in the first half and early in the fourth quarter.
The victory improves Annville-Cleona to 6-3, giving the Dutchmen three straight wins after sitting at 3-3 earlier in the season. During that stretch, A-C has outscored its opponents 137-29, including a 34-0 shutout of Pequea Valley and a 56-22 Homecoming victory over Kutztown.
More importantly, the Dutchmen have positioned themselves to make a strong push toward the District 3 Class 3A playoffs.
Annville-Cleona will now turn its attention to the regular-season finale when the Dutchmen return home to host Schuylkill Valley next Friday night.
With playoff positioning still at stake, A-C will look to finish the regular season with a fourth consecutive victory and carry its recent momentum into the postseason.
ELCO 22, Donegal 16
With the regular season winding down and postseason positioning still on the line, the ELCO Raiders traveled to Donegal on Friday night looking to get back in the win column. Coming off a difficult loss to powerhouse Lampeter-Strasburg, the Raiders were hoping to regain their momentum before next week’s regular-season finale.
What followed was a tightly contested matchup that saw both teams struggle to find the end zone early before ELCO came alive in the fourth quarter, using a pair of touchdowns and some timely defensive plays to secure a 22-16 road victory.
The opening quarter was a defensive struggle, with neither team able to put points on the scoreboard.
Donegal put together one of the game’s first promising drives, connecting on a 20-yard pass to move from the ELCO 41-yard line to the 20 with 6:24 remaining in the quarter.
However, the Raiders’ defense came up with a big stop. Facing fourth down, Donegal attempted to keep the drive alive, but Griffin Kreider made the play to end the possession and give ELCO the ball back.
The teams remained scoreless heading into the second quarter, with both defenses setting the tone.
ELCO began finding some success offensively, with senior quarterback Brinley Donmoyer helping move the ball downfield. However, the Raiders were unable to capitalize on one scoring opportunity when a field goal attempt by Brayden Goodison was unsuccessful with 6:10 remaining before halftime.
Donegal eventually broke through late in the second quarter, scoring a touchdown with just 58 seconds remaining. The extra point was blocked, leaving the Raiders trailing 6-0.
But ELCO wasn’t about to head into the locker room quietly.
On the ensuing possession, Donmoyer broke loose for a run of approximately 50 yards, giving the Raiders a huge spark with just 46 seconds remaining in the half.
The big play helped set up Gavin Yeiser, who finished the drive with an eight-yard rushing touchdown with 17 seconds remaining.
ELCO’s extra point was also blocked, sending both teams into halftime tied at 6-6.
The second half began with Donegal looking to regain control, and the Indians eventually found the end zone on a rushing touchdown with 7:37 remaining in the third quarter. The successful extra point gave Donegal a 13-6 advantage.
ELCO’s defense continued to keep the Raiders within striking distance, with Dale Kohr coming up with a key interception in the final minute of the third quarter.
The turnover helped set the stage for what would become an exciting fourth-quarter comeback.
With 9:51 remaining in the game, Donmoyer connected with Noah Williams on a 10-yard touchdown pass, pulling ELCO within a point at 13-12.
The ensuing extra-point attempt turned into one of the night’s most memorable plays.
A bad snap forced Kreider to improvise, and he found Blake Legrande, who made a spectacular one-handed catch to complete the two-point conversion. Suddenly, ELCO had taken a 14-13 lead.
The Raiders weren’t finished.
With 8:10 remaining, Kohr broke loose for a touchdown run of approximately 50 to 60 yards, giving ELCO another huge offensive play. Yeiser followed with a successful two-point conversion, extending the Raiders’ advantage to 22-13.
Donegal continued to fight, eventually connecting on a field goal with just over five minutes remaining to cut the deficit to 22-16.
However, ELCO held firm down the stretch, protecting its six-point advantage and closing out an important road victory.
For the Raiders, the win was a strong response following last week’s loss to Lampeter-Strasburg. After struggling to find offensive consistency through the first three quarters, ELCO delivered when it mattered most, scoring 16 fourth-quarter points to turn a seven-point deficit into a victory.
Donmoyer helped spark the offense with his long second-quarter run and fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Williams, while Yeiser contributed a rushing touchdown and a successful two-point conversion.
Kohr was another major difference-maker, recording a third-quarter interception before breaking loose for the decisive fourth-quarter touchdown.
Special teams also provided one of the game’s biggest moments, with Kreider and Legrande turning a broken extra-point attempt into a successful two-point conversion that gave ELCO its first lead of the second half.
The victory improves ELCO to 5-4 on the season, giving the Raiders an opportunity to finish the regular season with a winning record.
ELCO will now return home next Friday night to host Northern Lebanon in the regular-season finale. With both teams looking to finish strong and postseason implications potentially at stake, the matchup promises to be an important one for the Raiders and Vikings.
Northern Lebanon 23, Daniel Boone 7
It is crazy to believe we have nearly reached the end of the 2026 high school football season. With the playoffs quickly approaching, the Northern Lebanon Vikings welcomed Daniel Boone to town Friday night for Senior Night, looking to keep their postseason hopes alive.
The Vikings entered the matchup at 5-3 following last week’s comeback victory over Octorara, while the Blazers came in at 2-6. With plenty on the line, Northern Lebanon was looking to send its seniors out with one final victory on their home field.
The game started in the Vikings’ favor, as senior Brady Ryan intercepted a pass on Daniel Boone’s opening possession. Unfortunately, Northern Lebanon couldn’t capitalize, as quarterback Ryan Clemmer, who recently took over the starting role, threw an interception that gave the Blazers possession deep in Vikings territory.
Daniel Boone took advantage, scoring on a one-yard touchdown run to grab a 7-0 lead with 5:43 remaining in the first quarter.
Northern Lebanon responded by moving the ball into Blazers territory, but the Vikings were unable to turn the drive into points. The offensive struggles continued in the second quarter when another promising possession ended with a turnover on downs at the Daniel Boone 12-yard line.
Fortunately, the Vikings’ defense continued coming up with important stops.
After forcing another Blazers punt, Northern Lebanon took over at the Daniel Boone 35-yard line, giving the offense excellent field position.
This time, the Vikings made the opportunity count.
Clemmer connected with Ryan on a 32-yard touchdown pass, evening the score at 7-7 with 1:46 remaining before halftime.
Northern Lebanon had another opportunity to add points before the break, but Clemmer threw his second interception with 38 seconds remaining, giving Daniel Boone possession at its own 24-yard line.
The Blazers looked to take advantage, but senior Bryce Yocum delivered a big open-field tackle to end the threat and send the teams into halftime tied at 7-7.
It was also a memorable night for Yocum, who reached 300 career tackles, while junior Christian Spencer reached the milestone of 100 tackles this season.
The Vikings came out of the locker room looking to take control, immediately putting together a productive drive to open the second half.
Although Northern Lebanon couldn’t finish with a touchdown, junior kicker Aaron Wanyo connected on a field goal with 4:24 remaining in the third quarter, giving the Vikings their first lead at 10-7.
The defense continued making its presence felt, as Landon Graby recovered a Daniel Boone fumble to give Northern Lebanon another opportunity to extend its advantage.
The Vikings took advantage, driving inside the Blazers’ 12-yard line before the third quarter ended.
Northern Lebanon wasted little time finishing the drive in the fourth quarter.
Ryan powered into the end zone on a one-yard touchdown run, extending the Vikings’ lead to 16-7. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, but Northern Lebanon had put itself in a strong position to secure the Senior Night victory.
Daniel Boone wasn’t ready to go away quietly.
The Blazers moved the ball to the Northern Lebanon 36-yard line with under seven minutes remaining. Needing two scores, Daniel Boone was running out of time, and the Vikings’ defense made sure the situation became even more difficult.
Graby recorded two sacks during the possession, while Connor Wallish added another, helping Northern Lebanon force a turnover on downs.
With the Vikings looking to put the game away, Ryan delivered one final highlight in his last home game.
The senior broke loose to the right side for a 15-yard touchdown run, extending Northern Lebanon’s lead to 23-7 with just 2:09 remaining.
From there, the Vikings controlled the final minutes, closing out an important victory and giving their seniors a memorable sendoff.
For Northern Lebanon, the win was another strong response as the team continued building momentum toward the postseason.
Ryan played a major role on both sides of the ball, recording an opening-drive interception, catching a 32-yard touchdown pass and adding two rushing touchdowns. His performance helped the Vikings secure their second consecutive victory.
Defensively, Graby came up with several crucial plays, including a fumble recovery and two fourth-quarter sacks, while Wallish helped shut down Daniel Boone’s final serious scoring opportunity.
The milestone performances by Yocum and Spencer added even more significance to the Senior Night celebration, highlighting the contributions of two important members of the Vikings’ defense.
Northern Lebanon improves to 6-3 and will travel to ELCO (5-4) next Friday night to close out the regular season in a huge Lebanon County matchup. With both teams battling for postseason positioning, the Week 10 showdown could have major implications for their playoff hopes.
Daniel Boone falls to 2-7 and will host Conrad Weiser in its regular-season finale.
After back-to-back victories, the Vikings will look to carry their momentum into one of their biggest games of the season.
Written by Braydin Adams
Penn Manor 21, Cedar Crest 7
The Cedar Crest Falcons traveled to Millersville on Friday night to take on the Penn Manor Comets in a Week 9 matchup. After a Senior Night victory over Dallastown, Cedar Crest looked to carry that momentum onto the road. Instead, the Falcons found themselves in a defensive battle that stayed scoreless through the first half before a wild fourth quarter turned the game upside down.
Penn Manor received the opening kickoff, and both defenses came ready to play. The Falcons and Comets traded stops throughout the first quarter, with neither offense able to find the end zone. Cedar Crest appeared to break through with a long touchdown pass, but a penalty wiped away the score. After a hard-fought opening quarter, the teams remained tied 0-0.
The defensive battle continued into the second quarter, with both teams struggling to put points on the board. Cedar Crest and Penn Manor headed into halftime still scoreless, setting up a tense second half with every possession carrying extra importance.
The Falcons finally broke through in the third quarter. Steven Reyes connected with Mason Cevette on a 14-yard touchdown pass, giving Cedar Crest a 7-0 lead with 8:38 remaining in the quarter. After spending the first half trading defensive stops, the Falcons had finally found the breakthrough they needed.
Penn Manor refused to go away. The Comets put together a drive that carried into the red zone, setting up a crucial fourth-quarter opportunity with the ball at the Cedar Crest two-yard line. Randy Guthrie punched it into the end zone for a touchdown, but the Falcons blocked the extra point. Cedar Crest held onto a narrow 7-6 lead with 11:56 remaining.
The fourth quarter quickly became a chaotic stretch filled with penalties and turnovers. Cedar Crest looked to protect its one-point advantage, while Penn Manor searched for the play that would put the Comets in front. With just 1:12 remaining, Penn Manor faced fourth-and-14 from its own 43-yard line.
Then came the game-changing moment. Tristan Ronan hauled in a 56-yard touchdown pass, stunning the Falcons and putting Penn Manor ahead. The Comets converted the two-point pass to take a 14-7 lead with 1:02 left on the clock.
Cedar Crest still had an opportunity to respond, but the Falcons’ next pass was intercepted, giving the Comets another chance to put the game away. Guthrie finished the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run with just 25 seconds remaining, extending the Penn Manor lead to 21-7.
After a scoreless first half and a narrow lead entering the final minutes, Cedar Crest watched the game slip away in a difficult fourth quarter. The Falcons showed they could compete defensively, holding Penn Manor scoreless through three quarters, but the Comets made the decisive plays when the game was on the line.
Cedar Crest falls to 6-3 on the season and will look to bounce back next Friday when the Falcons travel to face Reading. Penn Manor improves to 6-3 after a dramatic comeback victory.
Conestoga Valley 56, Lebanon 0
The Lebanon Cedars traveled to Conestoga Valley on Friday night looking to build on the positives they have found throughout a challenging 2026 football season. Despite entering the game at 0-8, the Cedars were determined to keep improving as the regular season approached its conclusion.
Standing in their way was one of the Lancaster-Lebanon League’s strongest teams. The Conestoga Valley Buckskins entered the night at 7-1, with their only loss coming in a narrow 25-23 contest against Ephrata earlier in the season.
The Cedars faced a difficult challenge from the start, as Conestoga Valley’s defense made it tough for Lebanon to establish any consistent offensive rhythm.
Lebanon attempted to control the clock on its opening possessions, but the Buckskins prevented the Cedars from moving the ball downfield. After Lebanon was forced to punt on each of its first two drives, Conestoga Valley capitalized with touchdowns to build an early advantage.
Things became even more challenging when freshman quarterback Trae Quinones was forced to leave the game with an injury, requiring Lebanon to adjust its offensive approach.
Shortly afterward, Conestoga Valley’s defense added to the scoring with an interception return for a touchdown, extending the Buckskins’ lead to 21-0 by the end of the opening quarter.
Another Lebanon turnover late in the first quarter gave Conestoga Valley excellent field position. The Buckskins took advantage on the opening play of the second quarter, scoring on a rushing touchdown to extend their lead to 28-0.
The Cedars continued searching for offensive momentum, but Conestoga Valley’s defensive pressure made things difficult.
After another Lebanon possession ended in a punt attempt, an errant snap sailed over the punter’s head. The Cedars recovered the loose ball following a scramble, preventing a potential defensive touchdown, but the play resulted in a safety that pushed Conestoga Valley’s advantage to 30-0.
The Buckskins followed with a 30-yard touchdown pass, extending their lead to 38-0 with 9:32 remaining before halftime.
Despite the mounting deficit, Lebanon continued working to find an offensive spark.
Quinones returned to the game, and the Cedars began experimenting with different looks, including a two-quarterback formation designed to create additional opportunities against the tough Conestoga Valley defense.
Although the adjustments did not immediately produce points, Lebanon continued looking for ways to move the football.
Conestoga Valley added a 35-yard quarterback touchdown run to extend its advantage to 44-0 with approximately seven minutes remaining in the half. The Buckskins scored again with 3:22 remaining, taking a 50-0 lead into the locker room.
After a difficult opening half, Lebanon continued competing and making adjustments.
The Cedars’ defense responded with a stronger effort after halftime, keeping Conestoga Valley off the scoreboard throughout the third quarter.
The Buckskins eventually added one final touchdown with 7:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 56-0, which would stand as the final.
For Lebanon, the result was another difficult one in a season filled with challenges. Conestoga Valley’s defensive pressure and explosive offensive plays made it difficult for the Cedars to establish momentum.
However, there were still encouraging signs in Lebanon’s continued willingness to compete and make adjustments. Quinones’ return allowed the Cedars to experiment with different offensive formations, while the defense responded with a better second-half effort.
The experience gained against a talented Conestoga Valley team provides another opportunity for Lebanon’s young players to develop as they work toward the future.
The loss drops Lebanon to 0-9, but the Cedars still have one final opportunity to finish the regular season on a positive note.
Lebanon will return home next Friday night to host Ephrata in Week 10, looking to close out the 2026 campaign with a strong effort in front of the home crowd.
LebCo High School Football: Week 8 Results
2026 LebCo Football Team-by-Team Season Outlooks
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