Now that we’ve reached the halfway point of the high school football season – yes, we’re somehow five games into the 2023 campaign and no, I have no idea where the time goes – it seems to be a good time to take a look at the efforts of Lebanon County’s five Lancaster-Lebanon League representatives in the first half of the season.
We’ll check out where they are as the stretch drive fast approaches, how they got there, and where they might be headed over the final five weeks of the regular season.
And away we go…
Annville-Cleona
Record: 3-2 overall, 2-0 in Section 5
This week: Home vs. Kutztown
What’s gone right: After a bit of a shaky 1-2 start to the season, lowlighted by a resounding 49-7 loss to county rival ELCO, A-C has righted its ship with back-to-back impressive wins over Hamburg and Columbia. Those two wins have both lifted the Dutchmen into Section 5 title contention and elevated them to the No. 2 spot in the 2A district power rankings.
What’s gone wrong: The defense was rather leaky early, allowing 100 points over the first three games before producing back-to-back stingy efforts while allowing just 7 points in each of the last two wins vs. Hamburg and Columbia.
First half MVP: Cael Harter, senior running back. The speedy Harter has teamed with Bryce Keller to give A-C a formidable backfield duo to replace the 2,000 yards piled up by the graduated Phoenix Music a season ago. Harter has romped for 468 yards on just 53 carries and scored six touchdowns thus far and could be headed for more similarly productive efforts the rest of the way
What’s ahead: Plenty of games that matter, including key Section 5 matchups with co-leaders Lancaster Catholic and Schuylkill Valley the next three weeks that will go a long way toward determining A-C’s section title and district playoff fate.
Annville-Cleona Dutchmen
Read all our coverage of the Dutchmen here.
Roster
Head Coach: Matt Gingrich
Assistant Coaches: Joe Heckard, Greg Keener, Joe Shay, Jon Bopp, Drew Speraw, Cody Dodson, Jonathan Lum, Mike Miller
Jersey Number | Name | Grade | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Miles Riehl | 11 | WR/DB |
2 | Cash Watson | 12 | WR/DB |
3 | Carson Grow | 12 | WR/DB |
4 | Cael Harter | 12 | RB/DB |
6 | Noah Riehl | 10 | WR/DB |
7 | Wyatt Mase | 10 | QB/DB |
8 | Liam Pulaski | 12 | WR/DB |
9 | Gavin Martens | 10 | WR/DB |
10 | Jonas Cupak | 11 | WR/DB |
11 | Bryce Keller | 11 | RB/DB |
13 | Ryan Barrientos | 11 | RB/LB |
14 | Jonathan Moran | 10 | RB/LB |
16 | Cameron Connelly | 12 | QB/DB |
17 | Kaeli Pennington | 11 | WR/DB |
19 | Yamaliel Navarro | 9 | RB/DB |
21 | Mina Elzek | 12 | K |
22 | Aidan Blauch | 11 | WR/DB |
24 | Hudson Sellers | 10 | RB/LB |
31 | Dominic Casciotti | 11 | WR/DB |
33 | Luke Wentling | 10 | RB/LB |
35 | Jack Getty | 11 | WR/DB |
36 | Ivan Kreider | 11 | TE/LB |
41 | Jonathon Shay | 11 | RB/DL |
44 | Levi Heckard | 10 | TE/DL |
50 | Dan Bright-Walck | 10 | OL/DL |
51 | Alex Hemperly | 11 | OL/LB |
52 | Damien Miller | 12 | OL/DL |
53 | Anthony Gardner | 12 | OL/DL |
54 | Malacai Victa | 11 | OL/DL |
55 | Travis Wilk | 10 | OL/DL |
59 | Jordan Nickens | 10 | OL/DL |
64 | Armani Santos | 10 | OL/DL |
68 | Nathanael Sanchez | 10 | OL/DL |
70 | Blake Meyer | 10 | OL/DL |
72 | Alec Tetzlaff | 12 | OL/DL |
75 | Carter Smith | 12 | OL/DL |
76 | Preston Bomgardner | 11 | OL/DL |
77 | Jaxon Speece | 9 | OL/DL |
87 | Darrian Holloway | 12 | TE/LB |
89 | Timothy Montijo | 12 | RB/DL |
Cedar Crest
Record: 4-1 overall, 1-1 in Section 1
This week: At Reading
What’s gone right: A lot, quite frankly. The Falcons jetted to a 4-0 start before dropping its first game of the season, reluctantly, to Wilson, 21-13, last week. And Cedar Crest has been impressive on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the power running of Fernando Marquez and his nine touchdowns has shown the way, and linebacker Caleb Dorshimer leads a defensive unit that is easily the best group the Falcons have thrown out there in many years.
What’s gone wrong: With the exception of some self-inflicted wounds against Wilson last week, not much. If the Falcons maintain their current level of play, there’s no reason they can’t go at least 8-2 and earn a 6A district playoff berth.
First half MVP: This one goes to Marquez, who gets the nod ever so slightly over Dorshimer, by virtue of his nose for the end zone and his physical running style that simply wears down opponents on a weekly basis.
What’s ahead: A severe test awaits the Falcons next week when they visit perennial Section 1 powerhouse Manheim Township. But the rest of the schedule, which includes Reading, McCaskey, Hempfield and Lebanon, is more than manageable and gives Crest an excellent shot at 8-2 and the postseason berth that would almost surely go with it.
2023 Cedar Crest Falcons
Read all our coverage of the Falcons here.
Roster
Head coach: Rob Wildasin
Assistant coaches: Nick Lambros, Brandon Kirsch, Brian Powers, Tom Gerhart, Shawn Rambler, Tom Waranavage, Logan Horn, Jona Padilla, Nevin Pagan, Bob Peebles, Bob Griffiths, Gary Wildasin
Jersey Number | Name | Grade | Position(s) |
---|---|---|---|
0 | Alex Abreu | 12 | RB/DB |
1 | Leo Tirado Jr. | 12 | WR/DB |
2 | Owen Chernich | 12 | WR/DB |
3 | Asher Ford | 12 | WR/DB |
4 | Jack Waranavage | 11 | WR/DB |
5 | Cristhian Viveros | 11 | WR/DB |
6 | Cameron Tirado | 10 | WR/DB |
7 | Kayden Tirado | 11 | RB/LB |
8 | Jackson Custer | 11 | QB/DB |
9 | Seth Warren | 11 | TE/DL |
10 | Fernando Marquez | 12 | RB/LB |
11 | Logan Oriel | 12 | WR/LB |
12 | Lucas Nolan | 11 | WR/DB |
13 | Diego Yanez | 10 | WR/LB |
14 | Connor McCracken | 10 | TE/DE |
15 | Cameron Hansell | 10 | QB/DB |
16 | Malachi Victor | 11 | WR/LB |
17 | Kaeleb Fees | 11 | WR/DB |
18 | Travis Kemberling | 10 | WR/DB |
19 | Dillon Hoffman | 11 | WR/DB |
20 | Yadi Rosario | 10 | WR/DB |
21 | Caleb Dorshimer | 12 | TE/LB |
22 | Kenyon Figueroa | 12 | WR/DB |
23 | Josh Tricoche | 11 | RB/DB |
24 | Preston Barton | 12 | WR/DB |
25 | Noah Miller | 10 | RB/LB |
26 | Richie Hernandez | 12 | FB/LB |
27 | Landen Weaber | 10 | WR/LB |
28 | Landyn Kline | 10 | RB/LB |
29 | Liam Setcavage | 10 | WR/DB |
30 | Justin Moreno | 10 | WR/DB |
31 | Alex Thies | 11 | WR/DB |
32 | Samantha Fink | 10 | K |
33 | Kai Speaks | 9 | WR/LB |
34 | Antonio Tirado | 9 | WR/DB |
35 | Eli Beard | 9 | RB/DB |
36 | Ethan Bowman | 11 | K |
37 | Dominic Roth | 12 | RB/LB |
38 | Isaiah Zimmerman | 9 | RB/LB |
39 | Tre Wamsher | 11 | WR/DB |
40 | Joe Arnt | 11 | RB/LB |
41 | Jordan Eisenhauer | 12 | WR/DB |
42 | Anthony Lantz | 11 | WR/DB |
43 | Garrett Starry | 9 | TE/LB |
44 | Skyler Sherman | 9 | WR/DB |
45 | Conner Rowe | 11 | WR/DB |
46 | Jackson Chernich | 9 | TE/DE |
47 | Terrance Wilson | 9 | WR/DB |
48 | Calvin Dash | 9 | WR/DB |
49 | Gavin Berkheimer | 9 | OL/DL |
50 | Aidan Arnold | 11 | OL/DE |
51 | Keenon Hopple | 9 | OL/DL |
52 | Caden Wolfe | 9 | OL/DL |
53 | Nicholas Lambros | 12 | OL/DT |
54 | Paxton Thomas | 10 | OL/DL |
55 | Cameron Simone | 12 | OL/DE |
56 | Christian Weaber | 12 | OL/DL |
57 | Tyler Toscano | 10 | OL/DL |
58 | Alex Kissinger | 11 | OL/DL |
59 | Christian Simpson | 10 | OL/DL |
60 | Wyatt Fox | 10 | OL/DL |
61 | Jordan Cullen | 11 | OL/DL |
62 | Brady Shobe | 10 | OL/DT |
63 | Austin Brubaker | 11 | OL/DL |
64 | Jayden Storm | 10 | OL/DL |
65 | Evan Pierce | 11 | OL/DL |
66 | Landen Gross | 10 | OL/DE |
67 | Damarius Galarza | 10 | OL/DE |
68 | Carter Eisenhauer | 11 | OL/DL |
69 | Jimmy Trump | 10 | OL/DL |
70 | Tristan Long | 11 | OL/DL |
71 | Pal Bhavsar | 12 | OL/DL |
72 | Carter Ober | 10 | OL/DL |
73 | Ahmed Mohamed | 11 | OL/DL |
74 | Isaiah Sepulveda | 12 | OL/DL |
75 | Connor Shanaman | 10 | OL/DL |
76 | Michael Rivera | 12 | OL/DL |
77 | Nathanael Harbaugh | 11 | OL/DL |
78 | Bruce Gonzalez | 10 | OL/DL |
79 | Alex Contreras | 11 | OL/DL |
80 | Ben Custer | 9 | TE/DE |
81 | Jayden Marley | 10 | WR/DB |
82 | Chase Warren | 9 | TE/DE |
83 | Luke Oriel | 10 | QB/DB |
84 | Cole Shanaman | 9 | OL/DL |
85 | Cole Stevenson | 11 | OL/DL |
86 | Nolan Brubaker | 9 | TE/LB |
87 | Aiden Schomp | 12 | TE/DE |
88 | Grayson Frankenstein | 11 | TE/DE |
91 | Bryan Duffy | 10 | RB/LB |
99 | Dylan Fuhrman | 11 | TE/DE |
ELCO
Record: 4-1 overall, 1-1 in Section 4
This week: At Cocalico
What’s gone right: Well, you see, there’s this Jake Williams fella. … Unless you’ve been living under a rock you know that Williams is simply setting the league on fire with his exploits running the ball. He’s piled up a staggering 1,274 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground through five games. And, oh yeah, he’s averaging an otherworldly 14 yards – 14! – per carry. Enough said.
What’s gone wrong: Not a lot. Even last week’s loss at Wyomissing was a positive, given that ELCO didn’t back down one bit from the Berks County bullies, playing them on mostly even terms before falling 28-14.
First half MVP: Williams. Duh. Although it would be wrong to overlook the efforts of fullback Elliott Kreider, quarterback Steven Rosado, and a young and physical offensive line led by sophomore Paul Williams, who’ve all made significant contributions to ELCO’s fast start.
What’s ahead: Plenty fun of meaningful football, as the Raiders attempt to nail down a 4A district playoff spot. Also, likely more Williams heroics.
ELCO Raiders
Read all our coverage of the Raiders here.
Roster
Head Coach: Robert Miller
Assistant Coaches: John Carley, Robert Williams, Wyatt Hall, Earl Thomas, John Wetzel
Jersey Number | Name | Grade | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jordan Hartz | Jr. | WR/DB |
2 | Justin Smucker | Jr. | WR/DB |
3 | Steven Rosado | Jr. | QB/DB |
4 | Shane Boyer | Jr. | WR/LB |
5 | Jackson Conners | Sr. | WR/DB |
6 | Gavin Bicher | Jr. | QB/LB |
7 | Phillip Horst | Jr. | TE/DE |
8 | Austin Yesko | Jr. | RB/DB |
9 | Ira Gensamer | Sr. | RB/DB |
10 | Elliott Kreider | Sr. | RB/LB |
11 | Dom Herzog | Sr. | WR/DB |
14 | Ethan Busser | Jr. | WR/LB |
15 | Dante James | Sr. | WR/DB |
16 | Sara Miller | Sr. | WR/DB |
17 | Josh Blair | Jr. | QB/LB |
19 | James Prosser | Sr. | WR/DB |
20 | Jude Weaver | Sr. | WR/DB |
21 | Jonathan Fisher | Jr. | WR/DB |
22 | Jake Williams | Sr. | RB/LB |
23 | Zane Trostle | Jr. | RB/DB |
24 | Mitchell Frederick | Jr. | RB/LB |
25 | Lee Tobias | Sr. | RB/DB |
26 | Landon Goodison | Jr. | K/P |
28 | Butch Savich | So. | WR/DB |
29 | Issac Harms | Sr. | WR/DB |
30 | Griffin Kreider | Fr. | QB/DB |
32 | Ellis Gensamer | So. | RB/LB |
33 | Brady Stoops | Jr. | RB/DL |
34 | Victor Feliciano | Sr. | WR/DB |
35 | Dom Shaak | Jr. | RB/DB |
38 | Isaiah Angley | Sr. | RB/DL |
40 | Rhyce Faust | Jr. | WR/DB |
41 | Hunter Mehaffey | So. | WR/DB |
42 | Elejandro Weister | So. | WR/DB |
44 | Connor Showalter | So. | WR/DB |
45 | J.C. Dejesus | Jr. | RB/DL |
50 | Luke Bailey | So. | OL/DL |
51 | Paul Williams | So. | OL/DL |
52 | Avery Kurtz | Jr. | OL/DL |
53 | Alex Muniz Cruz | Sr. | OL/DL |
54 | Robert Lubin | Jr. | OL/DL |
55 | Brayden Malloy | Jr. | OL/DL |
57 | Mason Sipe | So. | OL/DL |
58 | Carter Kemper | Sr. | OL/LB |
59 | Tupac Vasquez-Disla | Jr. | OL/DL |
60 | Lukas Morasco | Jr. | OL/DL |
62 | Griffin Fisher | Sr. | OL/DL |
63 | Asher Grier | So. | OL/DL |
64 | Dominick Lattarulo | Jr. | OL/DL |
65 | Riley McDonald | So. | RB/LB |
66 | Chris Bateman | Jr. | OL/DL |
67 | Ty Landis | So. | RB/LB |
68 | Jason Arnold | Sr. | WR/DB |
71 | James Kuhne | So. | WR/DB |
72 | Dawson Ocker | Sr. | OL/DL |
74 | Cole Haag | So. | OL/DL |
75 | Bryce Maize | Jr. | OL/DL |
76 | Josie Lebron-Matos | So. | WR/DB |
77 | Tyler Shaak | So. | OL/DL |
78 | Dylan Reddinger | Sr. | WR/DB |
79 | Ethan Bretzius | So. | OL/DL |
80 | Tyce Fiddner | Jr. | TE/DE |
81 | Michael Books | Jr. | WR/DB |
82 | Bryant Auker | Sr. | WR/DB |
84 | Noah Burgess | Jr. | WR/DB |
85 | Landon Leonard | Jr. | TE/DE |
87 | Chase Hess | Jr. | TE/DE |
88 | Bryce Haislip | Sr. | WR/DB |
89 | Dalton Pyzka | So. | TE/DE |
Lebanon
Record: 0-5 overall, 0-2 in Section 2
This week: Home, vs. Conestoga Valley
What’s gone right: It’s been predictably rough sledding for the Cedars, who simply do not have the numbers or the firepower to compete in top-heavy Section 2.
What’s gone wrong: Lebanon has been outscored 211-33, and is averaging just shy of 147 total yards per game. There is not much else to say.
First half MVP: Probably quarterback Kareem Stoner. Stoner has completed 45 of 80 passes for three touchdowns to give Lebanon some needed production on offense.
What’s ahead: The Cedars have not won a game since Oct. 9, 2020, and that doesn’t figure to change in the second half of 2023.
Lebanon Cedars
Read all our coverage of the Cedars here.
Roster
Head Coach: Frank Isenberg
Assistant Coaches: Greg Herr, Tyler Roth, Jason Capello, Nathan Myers
Jersey Number | Name | Position | Grade |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Derek Infante | WR/DB | Senior |
4 | Riquelme Estevez | WR/DB | Senior |
5 | Jack Herr | WR/LB | Senior |
6 | Derrick Briddell | WR/DB | Senior |
7 | Tayvian Rivera | WR/DB | Senior |
8 | Malachi Briddell | WR/DB | Sophomore |
9 | Aidan Fernandez | TE/LB | Senior |
10 | Brandyn Castro | QB | Junior |
11 | Braylon Beaver | WR/DB | Senior |
12 | Jahkeim Medlock | RB/DB | Senior |
13 | Benjamin Fenstermaker | WR/DB | Senior |
14 | Jeavon Cortes | WR/LB | Senior |
15 | Paul Trace | WR/DB | Senior |
16 | Josiah Wright | TE/DL | Senior |
17 | Kareem Stoner | QB/DB | Junior |
18 | Juan Rivera | WR/DB | Sophomore |
19 | Jovani Rivera-Gonzalez | WR/DB | Sophomore |
20 | Kai Rivera | RB/LB | Junior |
21 | Sebastian Polanco | RB/LB | Sophomore |
22 | Camron Buchmoyer | RB/LB | Sophomore |
24 | Anthony Klish | WR/DB | Sophomore |
25 | Nathan Border | RB/LB | Senior |
26 | Jesucristo Echevarria Figueroa | WR/LB | Junior |
27 | Jamil Gordon | WR/DB | Sophomore |
30 | Messiah Wilson | TE/LB | Junior |
32 | Josean Wright | WR/LB | Freshman |
33 | Issac Cortes | WR/LB | Junior |
34 | Reinaldo Rivera | RB/LB | Junior |
50 | Colin Daugherty | K | Senior |
52 | Omar Aguilar-Ortiz | OL/DL | Junior |
54 | Ethan Rivera | OL/DL | Sophomore |
60 | Dujhan Baez | OL/DL | Junior |
62 | Daniel Hershey | OL/DL | Sophomore |
64 | Derryck Brickle | OL/DL | Sophomore |
65 | Mahkye Cortes | OL/DL | Senior |
65 | Colin Johnsen | OL/DL | Senior |
70 | Elis Bentez Jimenez | OL/DL | Sophomore |
72 | Cayden Clentimack | OL/DL | Junior |
75 | Cameron Harbaugh | OL/DL | Sophomore |
76 | Omar Milete | OL/DL | Junior |
78 | Corbett Brickle | OL/DL | Senior |
Northern Lebanon
Record: 2-3 overall, 1-1 in Section 5
This week: At Schuylkill Valley
What’s gone right: The Vikings continue to make slow but steady progress under third-year head coach Jason Rice, but are not yet ready to challenge the top teams in Section 5. But thanks to guys like linebacker Luke Shaffer and running back Moises Gonzalez, the Vikings can’t be taken lightly, either.
What’s gone wrong: The Vikings opened the season with back-to-back losses to Pine Grove and Susquehanna Township, but have won two of their last three to climb back to respectability.
First half MVP: Shaffer is getting plenty of college looks and is NL’s best pure football player, but Gonzalez gets the slight nod here for his big-play ability at both running back, where he’s run for 262 yards on 20 carries and scored four touchdowns, and receiver, while catching 8 balls for 148 yards and another score.
What’s ahead: The Vikings face a difficult second half schedule but remain headed in the right direction. If they can come up with a breakthrough type of win in the second half, that could speed up the maturation process significantly.
Northern Lebanon Vikings
Read all our coverage of the Vikings here.
Roster
Head Coach: Jason Rice
Assistant Coaches: Mark Rice, Josh Thompson, John Heisey, Josh Wolfe, Rusty Wallace, Hunter Wallace, Collin Wall
Jersey Number | Name | Grade | Position |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Bryan Mitzel | 10 | WR/DB |
3 | Moises Gonzalez | 12 | WR/LB |
4 | Kael Erdman | 10 | QB/LB |
5 | Julian Rivera | 9 | QB/WR/DB |
7 | Brendan Ryan | 11 | WR/DB |
8 | Luke Shaffer | 12 | TE/LB |
10 | Bryce Yocum | 9 | TE/LB |
11 | Tanner Feagley | 12 | WR/DE |
12 | Kaleb Barr | 10 | WR/DB |
14 | Riley Messinger | 11 | K/P |
17 | Owen Dohner | 9 | WR/DE |
18 | Sincere Perez | 10 | RB/LB |
19 | Garrett Bohn | 11 | K |
20 | Jack Kleisath | 9 | RB/LB |
21 | Corey Jackson | 11 | RB/DE |
22 | Kade Erdman | 12 | WR/DB |
23 | Eli Ostermayer | 12 | RB/LB |
25 | Brady Ryan | 9 | WR/DB |
27 | Jaxin Bush | 9 | WR/LB |
29 | Myles Watson | 11 | RB/DB |
30 | Raheim Rushton | 11 | WR/DE |
42 | Joe Billig | 9 | WR/DB |
43 | Jasper Uhler | 10 | WR/DB |
51 | Matthew Chernich | 10 | OL/DL |
52 | Russell Beers | 11 | OL/DL |
55 | Kyle Hitz | 12 | OL/LB |
57 | Eli Thompson | 11 | OL/DE |
60 | Christian Peiffer | 10 | OL/DL |
62 | Hayden Adams | 11 | OL/DL |
66 | Caleb Wright | 10 | OL/DL |
68 | Bryce Wimer | 11 | OL/DL |
73 | Ethan Hughes | 11 | OL/DL |
74 | Kale Loser | 11 | OL/DL |
77 | Andrew Stohler | 11 | OL/DL |
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