Week 8: Elco back to early season form but big test looms vs. Lampeter-Strasburg
Elco football might have saved its season last week with a 56-21 win at Octorara, but another big test in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4 awaits this Friday when the Raiders go to Lampeter-Strasburg.
The first four weeks of the season went almost as well as possible, as Elco started 4-0. Losses to Wyomissing and Cocalico probably took the Raiders out of section title contention, but last week’s win kept them seventh in the District 3 Class 4A power rankings.
Running back Jake Williams returned to his early season form. Though he did not reset his own school rushing record, something he did twice during the season-opening four-game win streak, he did get 247 yards and four touchdowns on just 10 carries against Octorara.
More: 'She’s not a girl. She’s a football player': Father, daughter bond over gridiron success
Elco (5-2, 2-2) will need production like that against the Pioneers (6-1, 3-1), ranked No. 4 in District 3 Class 4A. Their only blemish came three weeks ago in a 24-10 loss to Cocalico. L-S responded by winning its last two games over Octorara and Berks Catholic by a combined score of 95-24.
John Mellinger leads L-S with 984 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Quarterback Trenton Wagner had 11 touchdown passes and four interceptions along with 718 passing yards.
Kickoff for this and the other Lebanon County football games is slated for 7 p.m. Friday.
Pequea Valley (2-5, 1-3) at Annville-Cleona (5-2, 4-0)
The Dutchmen are now the front-runner in Section 5 after last week’s 35-21 win at Lancaster Catholic. Bryce Keller, Cameron Connolly and Cael Harter all ran for over 100 yards in the win. Keller and Harter have 643 rushing yards each to lead the team, though Connelly has 11 touchdowns. The Dutchmen are currently on top of the District 3 Class 2A power ratings. The Braves dropped a 33-12 decision to Hamburg last week and have scored more than 15 points only once this season.
'Our goal is to include everyone': Palmyra's unified bocce team part of a growing movement
Columbia (1-5, 0-3) at Northern Lebanon (3-4, 2-2)
The Vikings found their offense again in a 35-21 win at Kutztown last week, snapping a two-game losing streak in which they scored a total of 19 points. Moises Gonzalez leads Northern Lebanon with 411 rushing yards and six touchdowns, while quarterback Kael Erdman has eight touchdown passes and three interceptions. The Vikings may keep the offense momentum against the Crimson Tide, who are allowing 35 points per game.
McCaskey (2-5, 1-2) at Cedar Crest (5-2, 2-2)
The Falcons shutout Reading two weeks ago 36-0 but were shutout last week by Manheim Township 42-0. Such is life in Section 1. But seeing McCaskey come up in the schedule has been a good sign for Cedar Crest since moving into the section in 2018. The Falcons have won all five meetings since then, including last year’s 42-19 decision. The Red Tornado is coming off a 34-28 win against Reading. The Falcons are currently seventh in the District 3 Class 6A power ratings.
Governor Mifflin (3-4, 1-2) at Lebanon (0-7, 0-4)
The 29th loss in a row for the Cedars was a particularly harsh one last week, a 70-13 defeat against Manheim Central. Quarterback Sebastian Cruz ran for a touchdown, and Derek Infante ran a kickoff back for a score. The Mustangs have lost a couple in a row, dropping a 24-7 result to Conestoga Valley last week.
Cedar Cliff (6-1, 3-1) at Palmyra (2-5, 0-4)
Red Land spoiled Palmyra’s homecoming with a 24-7 win, the fourth loss in a row for the Cougars. Braxtin Risser had the only touchdown for Palmyra, his fourth of the season. It doesn’t get much easier with the Colts coming in. Apart from a 48-7 loss to Bishop McDevitt, Cedar Cliff is averaging a score of 38-12 this season. Erik Schriver leads the Colts with 708 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Elco football back to form but big test looms vs. Lampeter-Strasburg
