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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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