They come from different schools and different backgrounds. But they share a work ethic, a commitment, the love for a game – and a hometown.
It’s very important to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of young people. When it comes to the local version of scholastic football, there is no higher honor than to be recognized as all-Lebanon County.
“With the work they put in, there should be some reward,” said Cedar Crest head coach Nick Lambros. “They have sacrificed so much, so much time, so much of their bodies. It’s a special group of young men who play the sport, and they should absolutely be recognized.”
Recently, the head coaches of the six local gridiron programs announced the selections for their 2024 All-Lebanon County football team. Football is the only high school sport locally that celebrates its student-athletes in such a way, and the Lebanon County tradition dates back more than 50 years, to the 1970s.
As a whole, the 2024 season was reflective of Lebanon County’s history and tradition in football. There was the requisite amount of triumphs, the locale’s usual share of setbacks, but there were also countless individual achievements on Friday nights, on the practice fields, and even in the classrooms.
“Now, these guys are the new generation of the All-Lebanon County football team,” said Lambros. “That matters. There’s something to be said for looking at it from [a] historical perspective. It’s part of Lebanon County’s legacy.”
Cedar Crest’s: (front row, left to right) Wyatt Fox, Jackson Custer, Nathanael Harbaugh, Carter Eisenhauer, Tristan Long, Alex Kissinger, and Jack Waranavage, (back row, left to right) Malachi Victor, Landyn Kline, Ethan Bowman, Seth Warren, Garrett Starry, Isaiah Zimmerman, and Luke Oriel. (Will Trostel) 
Cedar Crest’s: (front row) head coach Nick Lambros, (middle row, left to right) Wyatt Fox, Jackson Custer, Nathanael Harbaugh, Carter Eisenhauer, Tristan Long, Alex Kissinger, and Jack Waranavage, (back row, left to right) Malachi Victor, Landyn Kline, Ethan Bowman, Seth Warren, Garrett Starry, Isaiah Zimmerman, and Luke Oriel. (Will Trostel)
But the coaches’ All-Lebanon County football team was also reflective of this season locally. The six head coaches chose no less than 14 Cedar Crest players as first-team all-stars and Lambros was their selection as Coach of the Year.
In Lambros’s first year at the helm, the Falcons went 8-4 overall and secured the program’s first District Three playoff victory in 27 years.
“They’re a veteran, mature group of young men who are fun to be around,” said Lambros, of his all-stars. “They were like professionals. They were on point with everything we do, and we had fun.”
The All-Lebanon County first-team offense features Cedar Crest senior Jackson Custer at quarterback, Annville-Cleona senior Jon Shay, Cedar Crest sophomore Isaiah Zimmerman, and Northern Lebanon senior Myles Watson at running back, and Lebanon junior Malachi Briddell, Cedar Crest senior Jack Waranavage, and ELCO senior Justin Smucker at wide receiver.
Along the offensive line, the first-team all-stars include Annville-Cleona senior Preston Bomgardner and Cedar Crest senior Nathanael Harbaugh at center, Cedar Crest senior Alex Kissinger, ELCO junior Paul Williams, ELCO senior Brayden Malloy, Palmyra senior Beau Toler, and Northern Lebanon senior Hayden Adams at guard and tackle, and Cedar Crest senior Seth Warren and ELCO junior Dalton Pryszka at tight end.
The coaches also liked Palmyra senior Justin Kaplan as their first-team offensive athlete and kick returner, Northern Lebanon senior Brendan Ryan as their punt returner, Cedar Crest senior Ethan Bowman and ELCO senior Landon Goodison as their placekickers, and Lebanon’s Jose Valentine as their inspirational athlete.
“This is your home,” said Lambros. “You should recognize their efforts, and these young men should be proud of their home county. You’re making people proud and you’re representing your county.”
The all-Lebanon County first-team defense has Falcon senior Tristan Long, Falcon senior Carter Eisenhauer, Toler, and Adams at nose guard and tackle, as well as Falcon junior Wyatt Fox, Raider senior Brady Stoops, Shay, and Williams at end.
The defensive backfield is highlighted by Falcon junior Landyn Kline, Falcon sophomore Garrett Starry, and Raider senior Mitchell Frederick at inside backer, Falcon senior Malachi Victor and Cougar sophomore Xavier Smith at inside backer, Falcon junior Luke Oriel and Cougar sophomore Aaron Villafane at cornerback, and Viking senior Brendan Ryan and Viking sophomore Brady Ryan at safety.
Also on defense, the local coaches named Dutchmen senior Bryce Keller as their snapper and defensive athlete, Cougar junior Talon Speck as their utility player, and Viking senior Riley Messinger as their punter.
“When I first learned of the award, I was very honored and humbled,” said Lambros of the Coach of the Year selection. “Realistically, if the kids weren’t who they were, especially my senior, this doesn’t happen. It was about them, and I just kind of lined them up.”
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