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With the high school Football season now complete for our LebCo athletes, we wanted to reflect upon some of the top performers from the 2025 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, along with Special Teams 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 8th at 10 pm.
Voting link is at the bottom of this page.
Team Records
Annville-Cleona (8-3) – Finished 2nd in District 3 Power Rankings. Lost in District 3 Semifinals to Trinity, the eventual District Champion. [3A]
Cedar Crest (5-6) – District 3 Qualifier. [6A]
ELCO (6-6) – District 3 Qualifier. Won District 3 opening round against Kennard-Dale. [4A]
Lebanon (0-10) Tough to shut out, scored 15 points against Conestoga Valley. [6A]
Northern Lebanon (1-9) – Defeated Pine Grove. Young roster. [4A]
Palmyra (3-7) – Lost 3 games by a combined 4 points. [5A]
Nominees are ordered by year followed by alphabetical order by last name. Highlight film is linked when available.
Offensive Player of the Year Nominees
Malachi Briddell – Lebanon (Sr.)
Briddell entered his senior season as Lebanon’s most dynamic offensive threat, and he lived up to every expectation. A versatile playmaker with the ability to threaten defenses in multiple ways, he led the Cedars’ aerial attack with 22 receptions for 405 yards and 3 touchdowns. His impact extended beyond the passing game, adding 27 carries for 118 yards and another score.
Bryan Mitzel – Northern Lebanon (Sr.)
Mitzel commanded the county’s top passing offense with confidence and efficiency. The senior quarterback completed 101 of 203 passes for 1,513 yards and 15 touchdowns, while adding 64 rushes for 253 yards and 5 more scores. His ability to stretch the field and make plays on the move made him one of the county’s most productive offensive players.
Jon Moran – Annville-Cleona (Sr.)
Moran capped his senior season with his most complete and dynamic campaign. A physical, reliable captain, he rushed 85 times for 742 yards—including a pivotal 97-yard touchdown against Schuylkill Valley—and caught 9 passes for 101 yards. He also completed his lone pass attempt for 52 yards and returned a kickoff for a touchdown, finishing with 8 total scores. His versatility and leadership were crucial to the Dutchmen’s success.
Roman Russek – Palmyra (Jr.)
Russek guided the Cougars’ offense with poise and dual-threat ability, earning 2nd Team All-County honors. He completed 88 of 155 passes for 975 yards and 6 touchdowns, while also rushing 77 times for 257 yards and 4 scores. His command of the offense made him central to Palmyra’s success.
Paul Williams – ELCO (Sr.)
A four-year starter on the offensive and defensive line, Williams anchored a rushing attack that averaged nearly 200 yards per game. His physicality, toughness, and leadership paved the way for consistent offensive success and established him as one of the most reliable linemen in the county.
Isaiah Zimmerman – Cedar Crest (Jr.)
Zimmerman led Section 1 in rushing for the second straight year while establishing himself as one of the most explosive players in the league. He carried the ball 136 times for 1,165 yards (8.6 yards per carry) and 16 touchdowns, adding 14 receptions for 226 yards and 2 scores. One of the best backs Cedar Crest has had in decades, he was the centerpiece of the Falcons’ offense.
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For any questions, comments, or discrepancies, please reach out to dan@lebcosports.com.
Defensive Player of the Year Nominees
Camron Buchmoyer – Lebanon (Sr.)
A two-way workhorse and the embodiment of Cedar toughness, Buchmoyer set the tone for Lebanon every time he stepped on the field. Serving as the heartbeat of the defense from his middle linebacker position, he played with constant intensity, physicality, and leadership. Buchmoyer filled the stat sheet week after week, finishing with 121 tackles, including 70 solo tackles and 25 tackles for loss. He also put a lot of pressure on the opposition with 1.5 sacks, 8 quarterback hurries, 2 forced fumbles, and a pass breakup.
Landyn Kline – Cedar Crest (Sr.)
Kline was the emotional and physical leader of the Falcons’ defense. He finished with 126 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown. Up for Section 1 Linebacker of the Year, he turned in one of the best linebacker seasons the program has seen in a decade.
Griffin Kreider – ELCO (Jr.)
A first-team all-section safety and peer-selected captain, Kreider posted 116 tackles (82 solo), 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. His instincts and range made him one of the county’s top defensive playmakers.
Nate Holt – Palmyra (Sr.)
Holt thrived in his first season at defensive line, earning 1st Team All-County honors. He registered 49 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks while consistently disrupting opponents’ run and pass games. His strength and motor made him a matchup problem all season.
Hudson Sellers – Annville-Cleona (Sr.)
Playing defensive end, Sellers anchored a defense that powered the Dutchmen to an 8–3 record and a District berth. The senior captain totaled 119 tackles, 71 solo stops, 30 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 3 pass deflections. His explosiveness earned him two Section 5 PowerPro Lineman of the Week honors.
Bryce Yocum – Northern Lebanon (Jr.)
Yocum was the heart of a tough Vikings defense, recording 109 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 pass breakups. His blend of toughness and football IQ made him one of the county’s most impactful defensive players.
LebCo Football Coaches All-County Selections
Special Teams Player of the Year Nominees
Johnny Hilton – Northern Lebanon (So.)
Hilton provided steady and effective special-teams work, delivering 26 kickoffs for more than 900 yards (35.4-yard average) with one touchback, while converting 15 of 21 PAT attempts. His consistency gave the Vikings reliable field position all season.
Travis McDannell – Palmyra (Sr.)
McDannell was one of the county’s most dangerous return men. Despite opponents frequently avoiding him, he returned 7 kicks for 186 yards and a touchdown, averaging 26.5 yards per return. His impact swung field position whenever the ball found his hands.
Connor Savitsky – ELCO (So.)
Savitsky took over PAT long-snapping duties midway through the year and executed with flawless consistency. Stepping into one of the highest-pressure special-teams roles, he performed with the calm and precision of a veteran.
Cian Soliday – Annville-Cleona (Sr.)
Soliday provided crucial scoring stability for the Dutchmen, converting 37 of 38 extra-point attempts and going 2-for-3 on field goals, including a key 33-yarder against Hanover. His reliability frequently made the difference in tight games.
Rising Star Nominees
Ryan Clemmer – Northern Lebanon (So.)
Clemmer was a major contributor in the Vikings’ passing game, recording 37 receptions for 494 yards and 5 touchdowns. Also contributing defensively, he showcased the versatility and skill that project him as one of the county’s top young players.
Max Ortwein – Annville-Cleona (So.)
A two-year starter at tight end, Ortwein recorded 6 receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown while adding 13 defensive tackles. With size, skill, and experience already in place, he is poised to become one of A-C’s top two-way players next season.
Jaxin Robinson – Palmyra (Fr.)
Robinson excelled in multiple offensive roles—quarterback, receiver, and running back—while totaling 117 passing yards, 172 rushing yards, and a touchdown. A 2nd Team All-County Offensive Athlete, he showed maturity well beyond his years and enormous long-term potential.
Jackson Smith – Cedar Crest (So.)
Smith became one of the Falcons’ most indispensable players on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he mastered every WR position. Defensively, he played cornerback and both safety spots, earning roles based on intelligence, athleticism, and physicality. By playoff time, he was contributing on offense, defense, punt returns, and every special-teams unit—including holding. His impact was massive for a sophomore.
Gavin Yeiser – ELCO (So.)
Yeiser flashed elite big-play ability, rushing 73 times for 572 yards (7.8 avg) while adding 17 receptions for 330 yards. He scored 7 total touchdowns and was selected to ELCO’s Leadership Council. His power-speed combination marks him as a future star.
Flashback: 2024 Football Player of the Year Selections
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