Youth Football Weekly Round-Up: September 7, 2023

This feature recaps last weekend’s action from the youth football organizations that chose to partner with LebCoSports.com.  Much of the reporting below is written by the dedicated volunteers within these organizations.  

Follow us on Twitter/X for all of the latest updates from athletic events from around Lebanon County: @lebcosports1 or look for us on Facebook at LebCoSports.com

     Falcon Youth Football

Red Rose Midget Football League Age group information 

@ Ephrata

B (0-1)    Ephrata 27, Cedar Crest 0

C (1-0)    Cedar Crest 12, Ephrata 6

D (0-0)   Ephrata 18, Cedar Crest 13

The Falcon “B” Team suffered a tough loss, but the game was not without a few great moments. Jaiden Truss had a great game with two huge receptions for almost 30 yards each. Ben Kleinfelter, Chase Boger, Rory Smyth, and Jewelz Hernendez all had a great game. This is a young team that has to fill several major spots after last season. They are hungry, willing to learn, and show signs of bouncing back quickly from this loss.

The Falcon “C” Team scored on their first play from scrimmage when Torrence Hubbard took a Tate Speraw pass for a 43-yard touchdown.  The Falcons scored again in the second quarter when Speraw found Caden Kane for a 15-yard touchdown catch to put the Falcons up 12-0. Ephrata got on the board in the fourth quarter with a pick-six to cut the lead to 12-6, which would end up being the final score. The Falcon defense did not give up any points on the day.  The entire defense was swarming for four quarters of action.  While it was a total team defensive effort, the Falcons were led by Jaden Rosenthal, Jojo Malandra, Greg Harris and Torrence Hubbard.

The Falcon “D” Team hit Ephrata with a tough rushing attack that was led by Mason Kleinfelter, Chase Reesman, and Cash Shaffer.  The Falcons were able to put two touchdowns on the board, scored by Kleinfelter and Reesman. With time running out in the fourth quarter, Kleinfelter had a huge run down to the one-yard line that was unfortunately called back on a penalty. With one play remaining the Falcons came up a little short, falling to Ephrata 18-13. Though they came out on the losing side, the Falcons fought a tough battle to the very last second.

Up Next:  The Falcons will take to the road to play against Elizabethtown on Saturday afternoon.

The Falcon “B” Team took to the air against Ephrata

“C” Team QB Tate Speraw caused issues for the Ephrata defense

The “D” Team’s rushing attack kept Ephrata guessing

@ Chambersburg Trojans

Ponies (0-2)        Trojans 21, Raiders 14

Peewees (0-2)    Trojans 21, Raiders 0

Smurfs                Exhibition/Skill Development

Even though the Raider Pony squad lost they played amazing game and have a lot to be happy about. Bryson Miller and McDade Burrus had some excellent runs for the team.  Trae Quinones punched one in for the first Raider touchdown. Patrick Fields hrew a strike to Burrus late in the 4th Quarter. The Raiders had trailed 21-0 entering the 4th quarter, but didn’t quit and brought the game back to a one score deficit. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time left and the clock expired before their momentum could carry them to victory.

While the Raider Peewee team did not score on offense, there were a lot of sparks on both sides of the the field.  Denzel Fermin led the team in rushing yards and had a few great, hard runs. He also had some tackles on the defensive side as well. Kai and Marques Quinones held it down on the defensive line, leading the defense in tackles.

The Raider Smurfs continue to get better and better every single week. This week they went up against the Trojans of Chambersburg and their efforts led to a great game. Donovan Smith led the team in tackles, while Caitlyn Fields also dominating defensively. Xzayvion Baker scored the team’s only touchdown, but this game proved that every week the players, coaches, and fans can expect improvement.

Up Next: After some encouraging signs, the Raiders will make the trip to Waynesboro to face off with the Stallions.

Jaylen Resto throws a pass for the Peewees

Trae Quinones taking on the Trojan army for some hard fought yardage

     Northern Lebanon Vikings

CFA – Federal Conference Age group information 

@ Red Land Patriots

Midgets (1-1)      Patriots 12, Vikings 9

Ponies (2-0)        Vikings 12, Patriots 6

Peewees (0-2)    Patriots 19, Vikings 0

Smurfs                Exhibition/Skill Development

The Viking Midgets played in the most competitive and exciting game of the day. The Vikings defense started the game off strong with a safety to take an early 2-0 lead. Then in the 2nd quarter it was a QB, Blake Burdick pass to Jonathan Zimmerman in the end zone that gave the Vikes a 9-0. The Patriots threatened at the end of the 1st half but that drive was ended by a Ryan Clemmer Interception.

The Patriots were able to score in the 3rd quarter making it a 9-6 game. The Vikings looked like they might take final control of the game midway through the 4th quarter when Braylon Sellers intercepted a pass that ended a Red Land drive. The offense was not able to run out the clock and the Patriots capitalized scoring on a 4th down play with 1:23 left in the game. This gave the Patriots a 12-9 lead that was also the final score.

The Viking Pony team played another outstanding game and are looking like an early contender for post-season success. They won their game by a score of 12-6. It was their stout defense again proving that it is going to be tough to score on this Viking crew as they held the Patriots scoreless until late in the 4th quarter. On offense it was Markus Miller scoring on a 45-yard pass from Sam Kline.  Later, it was Kline on the ground with a 45-yard TD run.

The Viking Peewee team had a rough day, losing 19-0. The player of the game for this squad would go to Lucas Hart. Hart had multiple run for positive yards and big chunks. This squad keeps working hard despite their 0-2 start and it won’t be long until they get in the win column.

The Viking Smurfs battled with the Red Land Patriots. This young squad had a tough time in the heat but played hard and had a lot to be proud of. A bright spot for the Viking’s defense was Keanne Zimmerman. Zimmerman had multiple tackles during the game with a some being in the backfield.

Up Next:  Northern Lebanon has a bye week, but will be back home on September 16 when they are set to take on the Lebanon Raiders.

#9 Grady Weist carries the ball while #25 Gabriel Rice looks to make a block for the Viking’s Smurf squad.

The offensive line of the pony team could be this squad’s most valuable asset. They are proving to be one of the best in the league.

The Pony offensive line gets a big push on Saturday in their game vs. the Red Land Patriots.

Northern Lebanon Midget player, Braylon Sellers looks for open field after intercepting the Red Land pass.

Photos: Susan Dengler

   Palmyra Cougars

 CFA – Federal Conference    Age group information 

@ Swatara Tigers

Midgets (2-0)    Cougars 28, Tigers 13

Ponies (2-0)      Cougars 18, Tigers 12

Peewees (1-1)   Tigers 12, Cougars 6

Smurfs               Exhibition/Skill Development

The Midget Cougars clearly have a chip on their shoulder or they’re all eating their Wheaties. The disciplined 13U team was in control from start to finish, winning the game 28-13.

The Pony Cougars knew they were in for a dogfight but could’ve never guessed a real one. The 11U team trailed 12 to 6 until a score capped off a clock gnashing drive with 0:35 seconds remaining in the contest to knot it up at 12. A shifting ball on an end zone pass kept the score even to force overtime. After some beautiful blocking and heads up running, the Cougars scored in overtime.  Having to stop the Tigers one last time, the Cougars were able to keep their opponent from scoring and won the contest by a score of 18-12.

The Peewee Cougars had many mental errors as they suffered their first loss in over a year. The 9U team looked frustrated at the end of the game, having only lost by a score. Don’t count this team out, because victory doesn’t taste as sweet without the bitterness of defeat.

The Smurf Cougars struggled to find their rhythm on offense. Defensively, the 7U squad largely held their own, outside of two splash plays from the Tigers.

Up Next: The Cougars will have a bye week as they prepare to host the Waynesboro Stallions.

If you are looking to provide feedback or are a business or individual interested in providing sponsorship to aid our mission at LebCoSports, you are asked to contact Dan by emailing dan@lebcosports.com.