LebCo Football Results – Saturday, August 30th

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.

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The LebCo Scoreboard

Saturday

Mechanicsburg 35, Palmyra 7

On Saturday, the Palmyra Cougars faced the Mechanicsburg Wildcats at Northern Lebanon, marking their second consecutive week playing at the venue. After a commanding 30-0 victory over Lebanon in Week 1 as the visiting team, Palmyra kicked off their nine-week Mid Penn Keystone schedule with this non-league matchup against Mechanicsburg.

The Wildcats entered the game with momentum, having crushed the Carlisle Thundering Herd 38-7 in their season opener. Mechanicsburg aimed to build on last season’s impressive 11-1 record, which included a 35-14 home win over Palmyra and ended with their only loss in the 5A District 3 Semifinals to Bishop McDevitt. Palmyra, meanwhile, looked to carry forward the offensive spark they showed in the second half against Lebanon but knew they needed near-flawless execution to compete with the Wildcats.

Mechanicsburg struck first, with running back Rece Miller breaking free for a 29-yard touchdown run. A missed extra point kept the score at 6-0. With two minutes left in the first quarter, a passing touchdown followed by a successful two-point conversion extended the Wildcats’ lead to 14-0. Despite their early dominance, Mechanicsburg didn’t score again until midway through the second quarter, when Drake Dawson powered in a 17-yard rushing touchdown, making it 21-0 at halftime.

The Wildcats continued their physical assault in the third quarter. On their first drive, Miller scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, pushing the score to 27-0. With under a minute left in the quarter, Anthony Francis added another rushing touchdown, bringing the score to 35-0.

Showing a don’t quit attitude, Palmyra fought back late, with Travis McDannell scoring a touchdown to make give his Cougars their first points of the game to make it 35-7.

Mechanicsburg’s four rushing touchdowns highlighted their physical dominance, a hallmark of their status as one of District 3’s top teams in recent years. The Wildcats’ ground game and overall physicality was just too much and should be commended.

Now standing at 1-1, Palmyra will look to regroup and apply lessons from this matchup as they prepare to face rival Hershey on the road next Friday night.

Palmyra Stats

Passing: Roman Russek – 12/19, 59 yds, (long 12); J. Robinson – 0/1, (long )

Rushing: Travis McDannell – 18 carries, 64 yds, TD (long 9); Aaron Villafane – 1 carry, 3 yds (long 3); Roman Russek – 8 carries, -30 yds (long 5)

Receiving: Braxtin Risser – 8 receptions, 31 yds (long 12); Talon Speck – 2 receptions, 15 yds (long 9); Aaron Villafane – 1 reception, 8 yds (long 8); Nate Holt – 1 reception, 5 yds (long 5)

Defensive Leaders: Nate Holt – 6 tackles, 1 assist, 1 TFL; Kyler Sparks – 6 tackles, 1 TFL; Aaron Villafane – 4 tackles, 3 assists; Jake Schelhorn – 3 tackles, 1 assist; P. DiGuardia – 3 tackles, 2 assists; J. Robinson – 1 tackle, 1 assist; C. Smith – 1 tackle, 1 assist; G. Stoak – 1 tackle; L. Vanatta – 1 tackle; R. Craig – 1 assist; Anthony Pinko – INT