Football: Vote for the 2024 LebCoSports.com Players of the Year!

With the high school Football season now complete for our LebCo athletes, we wanted to reflect upon some of the top performers from the 2024 campaign.  There were many noteworthy performances for our local stars, so it was tough to narrow down who was most deserving after consulting with each program, where we could choose the top Offensive and top Defensive player from each school.

Now, we need your help in determining who deserves to be named the Offensive Player of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year based on their outstanding performances during the Fall season.

Additionally, we chose the top underclassmen (freshman/sophomore) from each school and put them up for the Rising Star award.

After reviewing the nominees and choosing who you think is the most deserving, please use the link to give your opinion and help us make the selections.

It is imperative to note that while voting is involved and emotions can run high, the primary purpose is to draw attention to the hardworking athletes who competed for LebCo’s high schools this past season.  We also recognize that there may be other good possible selections who did not make the list. Still, we limited it to one per school for each category.

Read about the accolades of the nominated athletes from each school, then go vote!

Voting will remain open until Wednesday, December 4th at 10 pm.

Nominees are ordered by year followed by alphabetical order by last name. Highlight film is linked when available.

Offensive Player of the Year Nominees

Justin Kaplan – Palmyra (Sr.)

It is tough to classify Kaplan’s role for the Cougars, as the senior lined up at wide receiver, tight end, running back, fullback, and quarterback. His position didn’t matter as Kaplan was productive, racking up 1,221 all-purpose yards. As a rusher, he carried the ball 42 times for 275 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 23 receptions for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns. Kaplan was also a dynamic kick and punt returner for Palmyra. He returned 21 kicks for 856 yards and a touchdown. Returning 7 punts, Kaplan gained 145 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. Received Mid Penn Keystone Honorable Mention honors.

Steven Rosado – ELCO (Sr.)

The quarterback allowed the Raiders to run the option with his ability to make calls at the line, make reads, and pressure opposing defenses with his hard-nosed running on each carry. Small, but mighty, Rosado used his leg drive to break off large chunks of yardage. He finished the season with 119 carries that went for 802 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also completed 49 passes for 661 yards.

Jonathon Shay – Annville-Cleona (Sr.)

The four-year starter was impressive for the Dutchmen as he used his athleticism as both a ball carrier and receiver. As a running back, Shay had 140 carries that went for 1,030 yards and 10 touchdowns. He added 21 receptions that went for 368 yards and 5 touchdowns. Shay also completed 2 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. Named 1st Team Lancaster Lebanon League  – Section 5.

Myles Watson – Northern Lebanon (Sr.)

The running back missed the middle of the season after fracturing his forearm, but battled back onto the field to register six games in his senior season. In the time he was on the field, Watson was the primary driver of the Viking offense. He finished the season with 112 carries that went for 651 yards and 4 touchdowns. Named 2nd Team Lancaster Lebanon League  – Section 4.

Malachi Briddell – Lebanon (Jr.)

The explosive Briddell was the main focus of opposing defenses, but still put up big numbers for the Cedars. The junior was primarily a wide receiver, but saw time at running back and quarterback. He finished the year with 910 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He added 200 yards rushing and another 200 yards passing.

Isaiah Zimmerman – Cedar Crest (So.)

The sophomore running back burst onto the scene this year as the featured back for the Falcons. He found holes all over the field, making it tough for the opposition to defend an otherwise dangerous offense. Zimmerman finished the season with 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns on 176 carries. He also had 8 receptions for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. Named 1st Team Lancaster Lebanon League – Section 1.

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For any questions, comments, or discrepancies, please reach out to dan@lebcosports.com.

Defensive Player of the Year Nominees

Brendan Ryan – Northern Lebanon (Sr.)

From his safety position, Ryan was a Swiss army knife in Northern Lebanon’s defensive scheme. His efforts included defending against the pass and the run, while forcing turnovers and making plays in the backfield. On the season, Ryan registered 52 total tackles, which included 37 solo tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, and 3 sacks. He also defended 4 passes, nabbed 3 interceptions, and forced a fumble. Received Lancaster Lebanon Lebanon – Section 4 Honorable Mention honors.

Jonathon Shay – Annville-Cleona (Sr.)

As a team captain, the defensive end was dominant for the Dutchmen on his way to registering 90 tackles, including 13 tackles for a loss and 6 sacks. He added a fumble recovery and 2 blocked kicks. Named 1st Team Lancaster Lebanon League  – Section 5 and the Section 5 Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Brady Stoops – ELCO (Sr.)

The defensive end impressed all season with his non-stop motor, relentlessly going after the ball on each play. Making plays all over the field, Stoops put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, shut down the edge, and ran down run plays from the backside. This resulted in 28 solo tackles, 32 assists, 6.5 sacks, 11 tackles for a loss, and 1 forced fumble. Named 1st Team Lancaster Lebanon League  – Section 4.

Camron Buchmoyer – Lebanon (Jr.)

The linebacker flew all over the field, giving the Cedars the ability to slow opposing offenses. Buchmoyer’s efforts resulted in 112 tackles, including 63 solo tackles, 25 tackles for a loss, and 5 sacks. He also had a forced fumble, 8 quarterback hurries, and 3 blocked field goals.

Landyn Kline – Cedar Crest (Jr.)

The linebacker was relentless in making big plays for the Falcons. He finished the season with 122 tackles with 14 that went for losses. He had 2.5 quarterback sacks. Kline also had 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 defensive touchdowns. Named 2nd Team Lancaster Lebanon League  – Section 1.

Xavier Smith – Palmyra (So.)

Despite only being a sophomore, Smith emerged as one of the Mid Penn’s best linebackers in 2024. He had 47 total tackles, 29 of which were solo. He also had 3 sacks and ranked 4th in the Mid Penn with 21 tackles for a loss. Additionally, Smith registered 28 quarterback hurries, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Received Mid Penn Keystone Honorable Mention honors.

LebCo Football Coaches All-County Selections

Rising Star Nominees

Jack Kleisath – Northern Lebanon (So.)

The sophomore answered the biggest question for the Vikings heading into the season as they worked to replace Luke Shaffer, stepping into the role to help shutdown opposing teams. Kleisath finished the year with 72 total tackles that included 52 solo tackles and 2 sacks. He also had an interception and a fumble recovery. Received Lancaster Lebanon Lebanon – Section 4 Honorable Mention honors.

Xavier Smith – Palmyra (So.)

Also up for DPOY, the sophomore became a Rising Star as he emerged as one of the Mid Penn’s best linebackers in 2024. He had 47 total tackles, 29 of which were solo. He also had 3 sacks and ranked 4th in the Mid Penn with 21 tackles for a loss. Additionally, Smith registered 28 quarterback hurries, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Received Mid Penn Keystone Honorable Mention honors.

Jaxon Speece – Annville-Cleona (So.)

The sophomore was impressive on both sides of the line for the Dutchmen before an injury sidelined him for the final four weeks of the season. In 6 games, Speece had 28 tackles, including 5 tackles for a loss. His play at guard helped the Annville offense to average 31 points per game.

Garrett Starry – Cedar Crest (So.)

The sophomore had a big season, stepping into the role of starting linebacker for a Crest team that had been hit hard by graduation. Starry finished the 2024 campaign with 129 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, and 2.5 sacks. He also had 3 interceptions and a defensive touchdown.

Jaden Mongkon-Gill – Lebanon (Fr.) 

The freshman stepped up to become a starter in his first year playing varsity. His experience on both sides of the call will help drive Lebanon’s continued rise in future years.

Gavin Yeiser – ELCO (Fr.)

The freshman saw time on the field playing special teams for the Raiders. He made 3 tackles, but in doing so, he etched his name on the list of players to watch over the next few years.

2023 Football All-Star Team Selections‘