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 with information provided by Rob Gantz.
The ELCO recap was written with information provided by Asher Parham.
The Palmyra recap was written with information provided by Luke Johnson.
The Northern Lebanon recap was written by Braydin Adams.
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.
Northern Lebanon 25, Minersville 20
After a nice 2-0 start, the Northern Lebanon Vikings football team took a trip to Minersville to look to continue that success. The Vikings were coming off wins against Pine Grove and Hamburg and came into the game looking to make it three in a row. This was the first time the Vikings and the Miners faced off in program history, making it a very interesting matchup.
The game started with the Northern Lebanon defense forcing a three-and-out and getting the ball at their own six-yard line on a good punt. The Miners also got a stop, keeping the score 0-0 after both teams’ first possessions.
Minersville then drove down the field and took the lead on a quarterback keeper by Derek Derenzo, who scored on a one-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0. This was the first touchdown the Vikings had given up all season. The score remained 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, although the Vikings had started to work their way down the field late in the period.
The rough start for the Vikings continued when Markus Miller threw an interception, giving the Miners the ball at the 27-yard line. However, the Vikings defense responded with a big fourth-down stop to give Northern Lebanon the ball right back.
That stop helped Northern Lebanon steal all the momentum back. Miller connected with Landon Copenhaver for a 29-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7.
The Vikings continued to drive the ball down the field, but another interception kept the game tied heading into halftime.
Northern Lebanon started the second half with a banger. Brady Ryan broke a 65-yard rushing touchdown to give the Vikings a 13-7 lead, although the extra point attempt was no good.
The Miners drove down the field yet again, but senior Simeon England came up with a huge play by blocking a field goal attempt to keep Minersville off the board.
Ryan was not finished. He broke another big touchdown run, this time going 67 yards to make the score 19-7. The touchdown was Ryan’s 10th of the season, and the Vikings were really starting to feel the energy and momentum.
Northern Lebanon’s defense continued to make big plays, as a fourth-down sack gave the Vikings the ball at midfield. The Vikings did not take their foot off the gas from there. Miller completed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Ryan, giving Ryan his third touchdown of the day and putting Northern Lebanon up 25-7.
The Miners did not go away quietly. Derenzo threw a touchdown pass to make the score 25-13, although the two-point conversion was no good.
Minersville then recovered an onside kick, putting some pressure back on the Vikings. The Miners continued to battle, and Derenzo rushed for a 12-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 25-20.
The Vikings were then forced to punt with just 3:06 left on the game clock, giving the Miners a serious chance to pull off the win at home.
Minersville drove down the field, but the Vikings’ defense remained disciplined when it mattered most. Northern Lebanon held on for the 25-20 victory and stayed unbeaten.
While Northern Lebanon had plenty of struggles throughout the night, the Vikings still showed up when it mattered and played together as a team. The defense made the stops it needed to make, and the offense responded with explosive plays when the opportunity was there.
Northern Lebanon improves to 3-0 on the season and will travel to Wyomissing next Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
Written by Braydin Adams
Palmyra 42, Mifflin County 28
Palmyra entered Friday night looking to continue its momentum in the Mid-Penn Keystone Division, hosting the Mifflin County Huskies after earning its first win of the season last week. The Cougars came into the matchup 1-1, with Roman Russek coming off a five-touchdown performance in Palmyra’s comeback victory over Red Land.
Palmyra received the opening kickoff but quickly went three-and-out. Mifflin County moved beyond midfield on its first possession, but the Cougars’ defense came up with a huge fourth-down stop when Ben Kleinfelter recorded a sack to turn the Huskies over on downs.
The Cougars then put together their first sustained offensive drive of the night, picking up back-to-back first downs and moving into the red zone. With 1:50 remaining in the opening quarter, Roman Russek powered up the middle for a one-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, giving Palmyra a 7-0 lead.
Mifflin County answered almost immediately. Landon Bowen returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 with 1:37 left in the first quarter. The score remained tied at the end of the opening period.
The second quarter remained a back-and-forth affair. Palmyra punted for the second time, giving Mifflin County possession with 10:41 remaining in the half. The Huskies eventually regained the lead when Noah Wolfkiel connected with Asher Pearce on a six-yard screen pass for a touchdown, making it 14-7 with 4:08 remaining.
Palmyra answered with another strong offensive possession. A 25-yard completion to Anthony Pinko brought the Cougars down to the Mifflin County one-yard line, and Russek finished the drive with another one-yard touchdown run. The extra point tied the game at 14-14 with 1:24 remaining in the half.
The Cougars’ defense then forced a punt with just 25 seconds remaining. Rather than simply take the game into halftime tied, Palmyra took a shot, and Aaron Villafane broke loose for a 67-yard run, putting the Cougars at the Huskies’ 13-yard line with eight seconds remaining.
Palmyra made the opportunity count. As the second-quarter clock expired, Russek found Jaxin Robinson for a 13-yard touchdown pass, giving the Cougars a 21-14 lead heading into halftime.
Mifflin County received the opening kickoff of the second half and eventually tied the game again. With 4:15 remaining in the third quarter, Jaxon Strohecker scored on a four-yard touchdown run to make it 21-21.
Neither team could break the tie before the end of the third quarter. Palmyra entered the fourth with the game even at 21-21 and Mifflin County preparing to punt from its own end zone.
The Cougars took advantage of the field position and finally broke the deadlock with 8:53 remaining. Russek scored his third rushing touchdown of the night on a five-yard run, putting Palmyra ahead 27-21.
Special teams then delivered another massive play for the Cougars. Sid Harrison returned the ensuing punt 21 yards for a touchdown, extending Palmyra’s lead to 35-21 with 7:40 remaining.
Mifflin County refused to go away. Just 35 seconds later, Wolfkiel connected with Lucas Hartung for a 70-yard touchdown, cutting the Cougars’ advantage to 35-28 with 7:05 left in regulation.
Palmyra answered with another explosive offensive drive. With 4:40 remaining, Russek connected with Robinson for a 23-yard touchdown, giving the Cougars a 42-28 lead.
The Huskies needed another quick response, but Palmyra’s defense came up with the decisive stop, forcing a turnover on downs with 3:55 remaining. The Cougars were able to protect the lead from there and secure a 42-28 victory.
The win moves Palmyra to 2-1 on the season after another impressive offensive performance and a fourth quarter in which the Cougars turned a 21-21 tie into a 42-28 victory. Russek accounted for four touchdowns, while the Cougars also received game-changing contributions from Villafane and Harrison.
Palmyra will look to move to 3-1 next week when the Cougars take on rival Hershey.
Written with information provided by Luke Johnson.
Cedar Crest 45, Warwick 24
Cedar Crest continued its perfect start to the 2026 season Friday night, traveling to Warwick and coming away with a 45-24 victory over the Warriors. The Falcons entered the matchup 2-0 after opening the season with wins over Central Dauphin East and Lebanon, and their veteran core once again delivered in a game filled with explosive plays.
Cedar Crest’s early-season success has been built around a group with significant returning experience, including quarterback Steven Reyes, wide receiver Kai Speaks, running back Isaiah Zimmerman, defensive back Eli Beard, and wide receiver Antonio Tirado. After two convincing wins to open the year, the Falcons faced a Warwick team that immediately tested them.
Warwick received the opening kickoff and put together a 12-play, 80-yard drive to open the game. Logan Munoz finished the possession with a one-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Warriors an early 7-0 lead.
Cedar Crest responded with one of the biggest plays of the night. After three false starts backed the Falcons up to their own 22-yard line, Reyes connected with Speaks on a slant that Speaks turned into an 89-yard touchdown. The extra point tied the game at 7-7.
The Falcons’ defense immediately followed with a three-and-out, giving Cedar Crest possession at its own 25-yard line. Neither team could add another score before the end of the quarter, sending the game to the second with the score tied at 7-7.
Warwick regained the lead early in the second quarter when Evan Hartel converted a 30-yard field goal with 8:03 remaining, putting the Warriors ahead 10-7.
Cedar Crest answered with another explosive special-teams play. Speaks ripped off a long kickoff return that brought the Falcons to the Warwick 40-yard line. Four minutes later, Reyes found Speaks in the back left corner of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown. It was Speaks’ second touchdown of the night, and the Falcons moved in front 14-10 with 4:50 left in the half.
Warwick answered once again. Munoz scored his second touchdown of the game on another one-yard run, putting the Warriors back ahead 17-14 with 1:39 remaining in the second quarter.
The back-and-forth continued into the final seconds of the half. Isaiah Zimmerman put together a strong drive in which he accounted for 63 yards before finishing it with a one-yard touchdown run. With the extra point good, Cedar Crest regained the lead, 21-17, with just eight seconds remaining before halftime.
The Falcons carried that four-point advantage into the locker room, but the explosive plays were far from finished.
Cedar Crest opened the second half with another special-teams strike. Speaks took the kickoff 99 yards to the house, giving the Falcons a 28-17 advantage with 11:46 remaining in the third quarter.
Warwick answered by forcing a three-and-out and then put together another opportunity, but Cedar Crest’s defense held the Warriors without a score. The Falcons took over at their own 42-yard line and eventually struck again.
With 4:26 remaining in the third quarter, Colin McGaw connected with Braydon Hill, who juggled the ball before completing a 71-yard catch-and-run touchdown. The extra point was good, bringing Warwick within 28-24.
The third quarter ended with Cedar Crest still holding the lead, but Warwick had the ball at the Falcons’ 31-yard line facing third-and-5.
Cedar Crest’s defense delivered one of its biggest plays of the night to begin the fourth. Eli Beard intercepted the Warwick pass with 11:55 remaining, giving the Falcons the turnover they needed to prevent the Warriors from taking the lead.
Cedar Crest immediately turned the takeaway into points. With 10:59 remaining, Reyes came under pressure, rolled out, and found Antonio Tirado for an 88-yard touchdown reception. The score gave the Falcons a 35-24 lead and put Cedar Crest back in control.
The Falcons continued to add to the lead when Gabe Kaighn drilled a 30-yard field goal with 7:16 remaining, extending the advantage to 38-24.
Warwick needed a quick response, but Cedar Crest’s defense had other plans. With 1:11 remaining, Beard put the finishing touch on the Falcons’ victory with a 17-yard touchdown run, pushing the final margin to 45-24.
Cedar Crest improves to 3-0 with the victory, continuing its strong opening stretch against Central Dauphin East, Lebanon, and Warwick. The Falcons will return home next week to face Hempfield as they look to carry their momentum into the next stage of the schedule.
Written with information provided by assistant editor Gavin Sweeney.
Fleetwood 28, ELCO 14
ELCO traveled to Fleetwood Friday night looking to get back on track after consecutive losses to Dover and the Eagles. The Raiders entered the night at 1-1, with senior quarterback Brinley Donmoyer and a group of experienced returners leading the way. ELCO’s first two games had shown flashes of the offensive potential surrounding Donmoyer and running back Gavin Yeiser, but the Raiders were looking to put together a complete performance before beginning Section 4 play next week.
Donmoyer provided the first spark of the night. The senior quarterback broke loose for a 42-yard touchdown run to give ELCO a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter. The Raiders held that advantage through the end of the first quarter as the defense kept Fleetwood off the scoreboard.
Fleetwood answered early in the second quarter when Chase Adams scored on a one-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 7-7.
ELCO quickly regained the advantage. Yeiser ripped off a 20-yard run to help set up another Donmoyer touchdown, this time a three-yard rushing score. The Raiders moved back in front 14-7 in the second quarter.
Fleetwood refused to let the Raiders pull away. With time winding down in the first half, Adams connected with Hunter Fegely for a touchdown as the clock expired. The score brought Fleetwood within a point, sending the game to halftime with ELCO leading 14-13.
Fleetwood seized control coming out of halftime. Beau Fegely scored on a nine-yard touchdown run to give the hosts their first lead of the night, 19-14. The Fleetwood defense then added to the advantage with a safety, making it 21-14 at the end of the third quarter.
The Raiders entered the fourth quarter needing to find an answer, but Fleetwood continued to control the scoreboard. Adams scored his second rushing touchdown of the night with 2:58 remaining, extending the Fleetwood lead to 28-14.
ELCO was unable to mount another comeback, and Fleetwood held on for the 28-14 victory.
The loss drops the Raiders to 1-2 on the season after three non-league games. ELCO will now turn its attention to Section 4 play, traveling to face rival Conrad Weiser next Friday. The Raiders will look to even their record at 2-2 when they open league play against the Scouts.
Reading 54, Lebanon 12
Lebanon returned home Friday night to face Reading at Shiner Field at Alumni Stadium, looking to find some momentum after a difficult opening stretch. The Cedars entered the season focused on continuing to build under head coach Brett Sylve, with Henne Cortes returning at quarterback and Michael Toro anchoring the trenches. The Cedars entered the night 0-2 and looking for their first victory of the season.
Reading controlled the opening stages of the game, but Lebanon showed flashes of offensive explosiveness. Cortes connected with Franco for a 33-yard completion on third-and-10, giving the Cedars an early big play. Lebanon eventually faced fourth-and-9, but the pass fell incomplete, and Reading took over on downs.
The Red Knights immediately capitalized. Wilkins Jr. broke loose for a 42-yard run, setting up the opening score. Nunn finished the possession with a touchdown, and Jose Reyes Jr. added the two-point conversion to make it 8-0.
Reading struck again with Wilkins Jr. scoring on a 17-yard touchdown run. Nunn added another two-point conversion, extending the lead as Reading continued to find success offensively.
Lebanon’s defense eventually produced a stop, but the Cedars struggled to maintain possession. Reading added another touchdown when Lias scored on a 12-yard touchdown, pushing the advantage to 22-0.
The Red Knights continued to build on the lead when Fleming connected with Nunn for another touchdown, making it 24-0. Lebanon then attempted to generate a spark through the return game, but Quinones brought the ball back to the 48 before the Cedars immediately lost yardage on offense.
Special teams continued to play a major role in the first half. Lebanon fumbled a punt snap in its own end zone but managed to get the ball back out to the 10-yard line. Reading later recovered another Lebanon punt fumble, keeping the pressure on the Cedars.
Reading added another touchdown on a five-yard run by Nunn, with Reyes adding another two-point conversion to make it 32-0. Joseph Reyes then broke off a 24-yard run before Nunn converted another two-point try, extending the lead to 40-0.
The Red Knights added another score after another punt-snap fumble in the end zone, making it 42-0.
Reading continued to generate explosive special-teams plays, with Wilkins Jr. breaking off a 55-yard kickoff return. Lebanon answered with one of its biggest offensive plays of the night when Cortes connected with Zyair Molyneaux on a 62-yard touchdown pass, finally putting the Cedars on the scoreboard at 42-6.
Wilkins Jr. responded with another explosive kickoff return, this one covering 65 yards. Reading extended its advantage to 54-6 before Lebanon found the end zone again, with Cortes connecting with Franco for an 18-yard touchdown.
Lebanon was unable to close the gap any further, falling 54-12 to Reading.
The loss drops the Cedars to 0-3 on the season. Despite the difficult start, Lebanon showed flashes through Cortes’ deep connections with Franco and Molyneaux, while the Cedars will look to clean up the mistakes that allowed Reading to build such a large early advantage.
Lebanon will look to get into the win column next week when the Cedars travel to face Elizabethtown.
Written with information provided by Rob Gantz.
Donegal 40, Annville-Cleona 28
Annville-Cleona entered Friday night looking to build on its first victory of the season after shutting out Biglerville 46-0 in Week 2. The Dutchmen traveled to Donegal with a 1-1 record, while the Indians were looking to defend their home field. A-C came into the season with plenty of returning experience, including Devon Englehart, Yama Navarro, John Ditzler, and Max Ortwein, following an eight-win season and a District 3 semifinal appearance in 2025.
Donegal wasted little time putting the Dutchmen in a hole. After A-C went four-and-out on its opening possession, the Indians took over at their own 30-yard line and immediately struck for a 69-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was blocked, leaving Donegal with a 6-0 lead with 9:36 remaining in the first quarter.
The Dutchmen were unable to respond on their next possession, going three-and-out again. A-C’s punt was tipped, giving Donegal the ball at the Dutchmen’s 39-yard line. The Indians needed only one play to capitalize, connecting on a 33-yard touchdown pass. This time the PAT was good, extending the lead to 13-0 with 5:37 left in the quarter.
Things got worse for A-C moments later when the Dutchmen fumbled a pitch, giving Donegal the ball right back at the A-C 39. The Indians again took advantage, scoring on an eight-yard touchdown pass. A successful two-point conversion made it 21-0 with 1:57 remaining in the first quarter.
For the first time all night, the Dutchmen finally began to move the football. A-C reached Donegal territory at the Indians’ 49-yard line as the first quarter came to a close, and a Donegal unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave the Dutchmen another first down.
The possession eventually produced the breakthrough A-C needed. Devon Englehart scored on a two-yard run, and the PAT was good to cut the deficit to 21-7 with 6:52 remaining in the first half.
The Dutchmen defense then came up with its first stop of the night, forcing a Donegal punt and giving A-C the ball at its own 38. The offense took advantage again. Englehart broke loose for a 10-yard touchdown run, bringing A-C within one score at 21-14 with 52.3 seconds remaining before halftime.
Donegal answered immediately, however, returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. The PAT was good, sending the Indians into halftime with a 28-14 advantage.
The second half began with Donegal taking possession at its own 37, but A-C’s defense came up with another important stop, stuffing the Indians on fourth-and-5. The Dutchmen took over at their own 10 with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.
A-C couldn’t capitalize on the defensive stop, as John Ditzler threw an interception on the ensuing possession, giving Donegal first-and-goal at the nine. The Dutchmen defense responded again, stopping the Indians without allowing points and taking possession at the A-C 22.
That stop sparked another offensive push. The Dutchmen picked up two straight first downs and crossed into Donegal territory at the 47. A-C carried the drive into the fourth quarter with the Indians still holding a 28-14 advantage.
Then the comeback began.
Yama Navarro broke loose for a 14-yard touchdown run with 10:33 remaining, cutting Donegal’s lead to 28-21.
The Dutchmen weren’t finished. With 6:08 remaining, Ditzler connected with Max Ortwein on a 20-yard touchdown pass. The PAT tied the game at 28, completing a comeback from a 21-point first-quarter deficit.
Donegal had the final answer.
With only 21 seconds remaining, the Indians connected on an 11-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead at 34-28. The Indians added to the final margin, finishing with a 40-28 victory.
For A-C, the loss was a frustrating ending to what had become a remarkable comeback attempt. After trailing 21-0 in the first quarter, the Dutchmen scored twice before halftime, held Donegal scoreless following the interception in the third quarter, and eventually erased the entire 28-7 deficit to tie the game at 28.
The loss drops Annville-Cleona to 1-2 on the season. The Dutchmen now turn their attention to conference play, returning home next week to host Lancaster Catholic.
Written with information provided by Jackson Hanley
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