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LebCo Football Results – Friday, August 29th

 

This post will serve as a rolling update of Week 2 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 Northern Lebanon/Pine Grove recap was written by Gavin Sweeney, a local high school student and aspiring sports journalist.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

The LebCo Scoreboard

 

 

Friday

 

 

Spring Grove 27, Cedar Crest 13

Following last week’s thrilling fourth-quarter comeback, the Cedar Crest Falcons entered Week 2 eager to keep their unbeaten start alive. To move to 2-0, they would need to overcome the Spring Grove Rockets on the road—a team that also entered Friday’s matchup riding high after a dominant 34-0 win over Northern York in their opener.

The two programs met last season when Cedar Crest rolled to a 45-7 victory. This time, the Falcons knew they would need a steadier effort to come out on top.

Spring Grove struck first and struck fast, connecting on a 59-yard touchdown down the sideline just three minutes into the contest. The Rockets added another score late in the first quarter on a quarterback run, building a 13-0 advantage.

Cedar Crest answered early in the second quarter when Isaiah Zimmerman turned a screen pass into a 36-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 13-6. Momentum appeared to be swinging, but Spring Grove responded with a lengthy 98-yard drive capped by a touchdown just before halftime. The Falcons entered the break trailing 20-6.

The defense gave Cedar Crest new life late in the third quarter when Garrett Starry jumped a pass and returned it for a pick-six, narrowing the gap to 20-13. However, the Rockets delivered the knockout blow early in the fourth quarter, punching in another touchdown to extend their lead to 27-13. From there, Spring Grove’s defense sealed the win with a pair of late interceptions that thwarted Falcon comeback attempts.

Cedar Crest (1-1) will regroup after the loss and look to bounce back next Friday when they return home for their opener against Warwick.

 

 

 

 

Oxford 16, Northern Lebanon 13

The Northern Lebanon Vikings opened their season home opener against the Oxford Hornets on Friday Night Lights in a competitive matchup between two underrated teams. The meeting came a year after Oxford won a defensive battle, 7-0, and Friday night’s contest proved to be just as hard-fought.

The Hornets wasted no time in the first quarter, as their star RB and kick returner Joel McClain broke free for a 69-yard touchdown, making it 7-0. The Vikings’ defense responded, forcing two fumbles and getting an interception from sophomore SS Landon Copenhaver. However, the Vikings’ offense struggled against Oxford’s tough defense. A high snap and sack resulted in a safety, giving the Hornets a 9-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Hornets opened with the ball looking to extend their lead, but the Vikings’ defense held firm. A tackle for loss (TFL) by DT Landon Graby, key tackles from LB Bryce Yocum, and a pass deflection by DB Kael Erdman forced Oxford into a missed field goal. On offense, the Vikings found some rhythm with consecutive completions to Landon Copenhaver and Ryan Clemmer, but the Hornets’ defense once again came up with a stop. A misplayed Vikings punt gave Oxford great field position at the 25-yard line, but the defense held strong again with two more interceptions—Copenhaver’s second of the night and another from sophomore Ryan Clemmer.

Halftime Notes: Since Oxford’s opening 79-yard TD drive, every Hornet possession began in Vikings’ territory, yet Northern Lebanon’s defense held them to just 45 total yards while forcing three interceptions and a fumble recovery. An impressive showing from the Vikings’ defense.

Coming out of halftime, the Vikings knew they needed points and got them on a 63-yard touchdown connection from Bryan Mitzel to Ryan Clemmer, cutting the deficit to 9-7. Bryce Yocum continued to shine on both sides of the ball, contributing key offensive plays and clutch tackles. The Vikings built momentum, but Oxford answered with a blocked punt to close out the third quarter.

The fourth quarter brought chaos. Oxford immediately capitalized with a rushing touchdown from Joel McClain, extending the lead to 16-7. The Vikings battled back as Mitzel connected with Yocum for a score, making it 16-13 with just four minutes remaining. The defense delivered with another fumble recovery by Landon Graby, giving Northern Lebanon a final chance to take the lead.

However, Oxford’s physical secondary and relentless pressure held strong, forcing a turnover on downs to end the game, 16-13.

The Vikings fought with passion and resilience all night but ultimately came up short. Now 1-1, Northern Lebanon will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Delone Catholic.

Coach Rice’s Postgame Thoughts

“It was a tough one tonight, but you know what? We really got to see a side of this team that is exciting as a coach to see — and that’s their relentlessness. They’re great, their willingness to compete for four straight quarters, no matter who our opponent is.

I’m sure if you put things on paper between us and Oxford, there would probably be some predictions that wouldn’t have a 16-13 ball game. But nonetheless, that’s why you gotta play the game. Our boys do that. They show up, they play hard football, they play fast, physical, and they have fun — they enjoy it. You can see their willingness, and they want to do good things for each other too. That’s one of my favorite things: they play for one another.

We had some bumps and bruises along the way. We decided to pull Brady Ryan out in the third quarter — he should be fine. Then we had a guy step up: Johnny Hilton. He started on defense for us last week and was our extra point/kickoff guy, so we knew he was a good athlete. But then we put him out in that situation — a 35-40 yard ball down the field — and the young man lays out for it and keeps our drive alive. We ended up scoring to get those 13 points.

On that same drive, I saw Landon Copenhaver get two turnovers on defense in situations where it was either he gets the ball or the other guy. And just being able to turn around on the sideline, point, and say, “Go do this,” and they know what their job is — that makes me really happy.

We were also able to figure things out. We didn’t move the ball too well in the first quarter; Oxford came out strong and physical against us. But we figured it out, got some ball movement going a little in the second quarter, and a whole lot in the second half. We kind of found our rhythm, and I’m really proud of it.

Brian Mitzel, again, rises to the occasion. That guy just has the moxie and willingness to compete in difficult situations. Then you gotta love Copenhaver, who also makes plays for us on offense. You got Ryan Clemmer, plays on offense, and then that core group up front — they don’t get the recognition they deserve, but they grind and play hard. I just appreciate that overall.

Yeah, it’s not the outcome we wanted, but nonetheless, to be in a position to still compete to win in the fourth quarter — that’s our intention as a program: to play in the fourth quarter with a chance to win the football game. And we almost had it. I’m so proud of the boys.”

Northern Lebanon Stats

Passing: Bryan Mitzel – 14/16, 200 yds, 2 TD

Rushing: Bryan Mitzel – 10 carries, 9 yds

Receiving: Ryan Clemmer – 4 receptions, 77 yds, TD; Bryce Yocum – 4 receptions, 39 yds, TD; Landon Copenhaver – 4 receptions, 51 yds; Johnny Hilton – 1 reception, 28 yds

Defensive: Leaders Landon Copenhaver – 3 tackles, 2 INT; Brady Ryan – 9 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 assists; Bryce Yocum – 9 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 QB hurries; Landon Graby – 5 tackles, 3 TFL, fumble recovery; Kael Erdman – 3 tackles, 1 PD

Garden Spot 38, Lebanon 0

In Week 1, the Lebanon Cedars showed signs of progress, battling Palmyra for a full half before eventually falling late. That effort gave the program optimism heading into Friday night’s matchup, where they looked to build on that foundation.

Their opponent, Garden Spot, entered the game hungry for its first win after a 21-3 loss to Notre Dame-Green Pond just six days earlier. The Spartans wasted little time making their intentions clear.

Lebanon fumbled on its opening possession, and three plays later Garden Spot cashed in for a touchdown. The next drive unfolded almost identically—another fumble, another quick score. Less than four minutes into the contest, the Cedars trailed 14-0.

The Spartans extended the lead to 21-0 on a 28-yard touchdown run later in the first quarter. After another stalled Lebanon drive, the defense finally stood tall, forcing a punt and showing resilience despite the deficit. At the end of one, the Cedars trailed by three scores, but their effort suggested they weren’t about to fold.

Lebanon’s defense held Garden Spot to just two field goal attempts in the second quarter, with one good and one missed. That stretch of toughness sent the Cedars into halftime down 24-0, still within striking distance of respectability.

The third quarter, however, quickly tilted the game out of reach. Garden Spot struck on a 64-yard touchdown pass and, moments later, added another long scoring run to go up 38-0 just two minutes into the half. With the mercy rule enacted, the Cedars were left to fight for pride the rest of the way.

And fight they did. Though the scoreboard never changed again, Lebanon’s defense refused to let the game spiral further, holding Garden Spot in check and avoiding a repeat of last year’s 56-0 defeat.

While the Cedars (0-2) left the field with another loss, the effort showed progress. There are lessons in resilience and discipline that Coach Sylve and his staff can use to continue shaping this young team. Lebanon will look to put those lessons into practice next Friday when they travel to Conrad Weiser in search of their first win of the season.