Lampeter-Strasburg Answers Challenge, Reclaims Milk Jug As Pioneers Race Past Solanco
For as many rivalries as the Lancaster-Lebanon League has to offer, only a very select few have the attractiveness of having a trophy up for grabs. Yet for those that do, there is simply none better than “The Milk Jug.” In a sense, it signifies two of the most fundamental elements of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: […]
Manheim Township Suffocates Warwick, Remains Undefeated As Blue Streaks Prevail In Heavyweight Fight
The Hatfield family versus the McCoy family. The Montagues versus the Capulets. The Yankees versus the Red Sox. Red versus blue. Good versus evil. Alright, alright. Maybe that last one is a tad bit excessive, but depending on which side of the Lancaster Airport you find yourself living on, you might find it rather hard […]
Northern Lebanon Picks Up First Win As Vikings Ransack Pequea Valley
If you’ve followed sports for any length of time, chances are that you’ve probably heard a phrase somewhere along the lines of, “Each team and each year is different.” And yes, while that is fundamentally and undeniably true at its core, there are always exceptions to any rule. In that regard, please do not find […]
Wilson Overcomes Sluggish Start, Soars Past Penn Manor To Keep Perfect Record Intact
They are most commonly referred to as “trap games.” You know, they’re those sometimes mysterious, anxiety-filled games that tend to crop up on the schedule often sandwiched somewhere in between two Titanic-like contests that serve as monumental bookends. The scariest part of the matter? Undoubtedly it’s the fact that not any one program is truly […]
Warwick Follows Up Landmark Victory With An All-Out Assault Against Hempfield To Remain Undefeated
For any performer, being called upon for an encore is something that everyone strives for no matter what the profession. After completing the original set in such a dramatic fashion that leaves the fans in attendance begging for more, it’s understandable why so many equate it to the highest levels of an adrenaline rush. A […]
Ephrata Makes A Statement, Creates Shockwaves As Mounts Trounce Annville-Cleona To Remain Atop Section 3 Standings
They often say that the world of high school sports is a cyclical one. In other words, most every program is never truly immune to the peaks and valleys that many often experience and ultimately go through as various waves of students work their way through the hallways and onto the athletic fields over the […]
Manheim Township Flashes Style And Substance As Blue Streaks Decimate Dallastown
Death, taxes and preseason predictions. Okay, maybe that isn’t exactly the same phrase, but in the world of high school football, it still rings true. This year, when speaking on the topics of the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 and the District 3-6A field most specifically, the conversation begins and ends with the Manheim Township Blue […]
Eagles Flex Their Muscle As Cocalico Lassos Cedar Cliff In Key Early Season Tilt
In high school football, there are teams and then there are programs. When speaking on the Cocalico Eagles, rest assured that they comfortably fall into the “program” category. Every year, the narrative surrounding the program from Denver largely feels the same. A tough-as-nails, no-nonsense team that seems to enter the starting blocks surrounded by a […]
Red Lion Devours McCaskey En Route To Impressive Opening Night Victory
To say that every high school football team that plays in the state of Pennsylvania was looking forward to Friday night would be nothing if not a gross understatement. After all, this is the time of the season when the bright rays of eternal optimism shine their brightest given the dawn of a season while […]
North All-Stars Light Up The Sky, Exert Dominance In 18th Annual Tri-County All-Star Game
Chances are that when most think of Memorial Day weekend, they often think of barbeques and a much-deserved three-day weekend which marks the unofficial kickoff of summer with plenty of versions of “Old Glory” hanging proudly all over town. To football fans in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties however, don’t fault them if they also associate […]
Explosive Plays Help Penn Hills Achieve Immortality As Indians Hold Off Manheim Central To Claim PIAA-5A Crown
It’s funny how things sometimes have a way of perfectly coming together full circle isn’t it? Take a moment right now and reflect back to a not-too-distant, much warmer time earlier this year. Say August 6thfor example? You see, back on that very day amidst the sweltering early August heat, every scholastic football team from […]
Manheim Central Conquers Upper Dublin As Barons Advance To 4th State Championship Game In Program History
When most people hear the phrase “Final Four,” chances are that their minds automatically envision the conclusion of the month-long festival of college basketball known as “March Madness.” However, if you were to travel around the state, you may stumble upon a few isolated pockets within the commonwealth that could just as easily interpret the […]
New Year, Same Ole Barons: Manheim Central Handles Cocalico For Second Consecutive District 3-5A Crown To Advance To Eastern State Final
No matter what the time and no matter what the place, there is just something inherently special that goes along with rivalry games. However, when you raise the stakes and put a championship on the line, the excitement and fervor admittedly gets ratcheted up to an entirely different level. For both the Cocalico Eagles and […]
Cocalico Shrugs Off York To Clinch Berth In District 3-5A Championship Game
It seems to happen so routinely that you can almost set your watch to it. Yes, without fail, each and every season consistently brings with it those inspiring tales of extra special individuals and teams that take shape and become transcendent above all others. When talking about the state of the union as it relates […]
Cocalico Muscles Past Solanco En Route To District 3-5A Semifinals
Chances are that you’ve probably heard postseason play to be referred to as the “second season.” Or, in layman’s terms, a chance to start anew and wipe the slate clean following a successful regular that was deemed worthy of advancement into the playoffs. In even simpler words, obtaining a second chance with a new lease […]
Grizzled Blue Streaks Find A Way As Manheim Township Holds Off Chambersburg In Opening Round Of District 3-6A Playoffs
In sports, it is unanimously accepted that the defending champion earns the right to consider themselves kings of the mountaintop unless another group of adversaries comes along later on down the line to knock them off their proverbial lofty perch. When speaking of District 3-6A high school football more specifically, the team that has won […]
ELCO Mows Down Columbia, Secures Playoff Bid In Regular Season Finale
It has often been said that whenever you get squeezed, what ultimately comes out of you is who you truly are. In other words, when adversity strikes, how you act and respond when the chips are down is how you are ultimately defined for all to see. Well, when talking Lancaster-Lebanon League Football this season, […]
Manheim Central Shows Off Its Weaponry In Shutout Victory Over Garden Spot
Upon entering the quaint and homely town of Manheim, Pennsylvania, travelers are met with a sign just outside of the city limits that lists the various churches and organizations contained within this small town that oozes the essence of old-school Americana. And while those groups are certainly essential members of the community fabric at large, […]
McCracken-Glass Duo Proves Lethal As Warwick Scores Historic Win Over Wilson
Sometimes, the football gods can have a peculiar way of behaving. On occasion, their methodology is clear and concise. On the other hand, it can sometimes feel like Lucy pulling the football away from a hard-charging Charlie Brown at the last possible second, forcing him to fall flat on his back. Just take the Wilson and Warwick series as a prime example. For years, […]
Golden Mules Regain Their Footing In Dominating Fashion By Dismantling McCaskey
Without question, each and every offseason brings with it some interesting themes and storylines to follow that often tantalize the palate. Well, as it relates to the Lancaster-Lebanon league football community, this past offseason was perfectly defined by just one word—Change. You see, when the Octorara School District officially applied for full membership status and was welcomed aboard with open […]
At Long Last, Northern Lebanon Tastes Sweet Victory As Vikings Stymie Pequea Valley For First Win Of The Season
As hard as it may be to believe, last week in Pennsylvania high school football marked the midway checkpoint of the regular season. And as is the case each and every season when the temperatures start to drop, the action on the field only continues to heat up with teams from all around the commonwealth trying to chase those precious few playoff bids. In fact, Friday […]
Manheim Township Makes Another Statement With Resounding Win Over Cocalico
No matter what the sport and no matter what the competition level, all coaches will tell you that every team they lead is different in the sense that no two teams are ever truly alike. And while the very notion of the word “different” has the ability toconjure up nothing but negative connotations, there are certain teams that are simply transcendent above all […]
Lancaster Catholic’s Perfect Record Remains Intact As Crusaders Roar Past Ephrata
It’s often been said that those who do not learn from history are likely doomed to repeat it. Well, in the case of Lancaster Catholic first-year head coach Todd Mealy, “doom” may not exactly be the term that applies in this specific example, but he and the Crusader faithful are certainly hoping that his previous coaching acumen translates into this his new gig of leading the esteemed purple and gold inside the Red Rose city. A […]
Central York Continues Scintillating Start With Dramatic Comeback Win Over Hempfield
When a crisp autumn breeze returns to the air and the leaves begin to crunch underneath your feet, that can mean only one thing to high school football fans around the commonwealth ofPennsylvania—Playoff football is right around the corner. Sure,it may seem sacrilegious to even fathom the idea of playoffs considering the 2018 season began just three short weeks ago, but the fact of the […]
Cedar Crest Shines Under Bright Lights As Falcons Hold Off Hershey
It’s a phrase that coaches have said to their players seemingly seem the dawn of the time. “It’s a privilege, not a right to play.” And while that is undoubtedly true across the expansive sports landscape, playing high school football in the great state of Pennsylvania, especially within District 3 in particular, takes that saying to a whole different level. Perhaps […]
Annville-Cleona Crashes The Party As Dutchmen Knock Off Octorara In Braves’ L-L Debut
In football, much like in life, there are new beginnings and then there are truly new beginnings. For the Octorara Braves, this year in athletics will bring with it a drastic in change in scenery. Why? Well, perhaps it’s best to rewind the clock back to October 20, 2016 in order to investigate further. On that October […]
E-Town Shows Their Claws As Bears Get Pass Donegal In Season Opener
Let’s talk for a second about rivalry games. Better yet, let’s focus on the topic of backyard rivalry games. Typically when one thinks about such contests that pit coworker against coworker, neighbor against neighbor, and even family member against family member, chances are they often think of the end of the season with either championships […]
K-D Lands A KO In Season Opening Victory Over Pequea Valley
At this time a year ago, they were the darlings of the preseason. And rightly so. Yes, for the summer months of 2017, one of the most prevailing questions surrounding Lancaster-Lebanon League football that kept rising to the surface was whether or not that this would be the year? Would this be the year that the Pequea Valley Braves, the L-L’s […]
North Lancaster-Lebanon League All Stars Reign Supreme For Third Straight Year
MANHEIM – When people typically think of Memorial Day Weekend, chances are they generally associate the much-anticipated long weekend with a sense of optimism and forward-thinking rather than looking back out the rearview mirror. Fair enough, considering this weekend has long been recognized as the unofficial start of the summer. So forgive Lancaster-Lebanon League football fans if this holiday weekend in particular gives them an added pause as they […]
Dream Comes True For Manheim Township As Blue Streaks Sink Cumberland Valley For First Ever District Title
The saying goes that opposite attract. Well, in the case of the 2017 District 3 6A championship game, that phrase rang true in spades. Just in terms of history, the Manheim Township Blue Streaks and Cumberland Valley Eagles could not be placed at further ends of the spectrum if they tried. For Township, Saturday night’s tussle at Hersheypark Stadium […]
Late Game Heroics Lift Manheim Central
Late Game Heroics Lift Manheim Central To State Semifinals As Barons Capture 17th District Title, Upend Governor Mifflin In Instant Classic They weren’t supposed to be here. No, Black Friday night at Hersheypark Stadium was originally supposed to serve as just another speedbump for the Harrisburg Cougars to overcome on their way towards a possible return trip back to the “Concrete Palace” in their […]
Bishop McDevitt Races Past Lampeter-Strasburg As Crusaders Return To District Title Game
When discussing the top high school football programs from Central Pennsylvania, there’s no denying that the Bishop McDevitt Crusaders are among the first names mentioned once the conversation begins. Without question, McDevitt’s historic resume stands alone. Besides annually sending a laundry list of talented players to various levels of college football following their time with the high school just east of the capital city, not to mention an even more select […]
Cocalico Surges Past Cedar Crest As Eagles Set Their Sights On Manheim Central In Semifinal Round
35 days. That’s how long it had been since the Cocalico Eagles and Cedar Crest Falcons last saw each other on the football field. And if you were to ask Cedar Crest, those 35 days probably felt more like 35 years. Why? Well, let’s just say the first matchup between these two birds of prey […]
Keeley-Wolfrum Trophy Remains At Berks Catholic As Saints Claim Shutout Victory Over Wyomissing In Backyard Brawl
The hype surrounding this one was undeniable. All season long, much like it does every season, Berks Catholic and Wyomissing appeared to be on a collision course. And a collision course it promised to be. Undefeated Wyomissing going head to head against unbeaten Berks Catholic. Finally, after an entire year of waiting eagerly with anticipation, […]
Wilson Starts Anew As Second Half Surge Pushes Bulldogs Past Hempfield
The last time that the Wilson Bulldogs traveled to Landisville to take on the Hempfield Black Knights, history was on the line. The type of history that can solidify a dynasty. Back on the evening of October 9th 2015, the Bulldogs were on the verge of immortality. The gang from West Lawn entered the contest […]
Warwick Regains Their Winning Ways As Warriors Post Shutout Victory Over Penn Manor
When looking at the 2017 high school football season to date, it’s fair to say that this year has not gone as well as both Penn Manor and Warwick had hoped for back in the summer. Take a deeper look inside the overall records however and you’ll discover two teams that came into Friday night’s […]
Donegal Rides Strong Defensive Performance As Indians Travel Northward To Topple Hazleton
Not all road trips are created equal. In some instances, a road game means nothing more than slinging a duffle bag over your shoulder and walking a few blocks to take on your opponent. Let’s just say the Donegal Indians would not be so fortunate on Friday night. Plug a trip into the GPS leaving […]
Cocalico Gets Rid of Last Week’s Frustration In Dominating Road Win At Cedar Crest
When the latest version of the District 3 power rankings were released this past week, there was an undeniable theme that encapsulated the 5A field. The 5A bracket was littered with Lancaster Lebanon League flavor. More specifically, Lancaster Lebanon League Section 2 flavor. In fact if the postseason were to start at this very moment, […]
Berks Catholic Spoils Opening Night Festivities As Saints Roll Past Lancaster Catholic
Sometimes in life, things don’t turn out exactly the way we plan. In many ways, the game of football can be quite similar. Case in point: this year’s matchup between Berks Catholic and Lancaster Catholic. Coming into the season, this game was arguably one of the more intriguing nonconference tussles across the District 3 landscape. […]
Godwin’s Big Night Fuels Red Tornado As McCaskey Picks Up First Win Of The Season At Reading
Chances are we’ve all had this phrase posed to us before. “Do you want the good news, or the bad news?” If ever that question applied to a football game, it was Friday night at Albright College when Reading welcomed McCaskey to their home turffor the annual meeting between the two city schools. The bad […]
Lebanon Fends Off Pesky Ephrata As Cedars Rebound From Disappointing Cedar Bowl
When the Cedar Crest Falcons and Lebanon Cedars begin their offseason training and winter conditioning programs, the collective focus for both squads is undoubtedly centered on the opening week of the season. And for good reason. Sure, the opening week of the season is met with great anticipation regardless, but around Lebanon County, particularly around […]
Octorara Picks Up Much Needed Road Win Over Rebuilding Columbia
When Octorara unloaded the buses Friday night high atop “The Hill” in Columbia after a road trip across Lancaster County, there was a definite sense of newness in the air. Newness because the hometown Crimson Tide were on the brink of starting a fresh chapter in their storied history. New head coach Bud Kyle, a York County native, came across the Susquehanna River to lead a […]
Schuylkill Valley Defense Shines In Season Opening Win Over Pequea Valley
They’re on a mission to do something around these parts that’s never been done before. A playoff mission. For 20 years, the Pequea Valley Braves have been lacing up the cleats and putting on the shoulder pads, but have yet to play beyond the regular season. Don’t be mistaken however, this isn’t your older brother’s […]
Late Defensive Stand Lifts North L-L All Stars To Hard-Fought 14-7 Triumph In Tri County All Star Game
More often times than not, the mere thought of All Star games tend to conjure up images of shall we say less than inspired defense with more offensive fireworks than some 4th of July displays. Maybe it was the fact that the 16th Annual Tri County All Star Game was played over Memorial Day weekend […]
Pittsburgh Central Catholic Slams The Door On Wilson
There’s no denying that Pittsburgh Central Catholic is a behemoth when it comes to Western Pennsylvania high school football. The Vikings have the size, speed, depth, and talent to compete with the best in the state and nationally as well. Needless to say, the Vikings cause a lot of sleepless night for the offensive and defensive coordinators that line […]
Middletown Earns Return Trip To Hershey For State Finals After Resounding 49-14 Victory Over Notre Dame
During the high school football regular season, the Lower Dauphin Falcons and Hershey Trojans are the two tenants that call Hersheypark Stadium home. Better make way for an unofficial third team, at least for this year. By virtue of their dominant 49-14 victory over Notre Dame Green Pond on Friday night in Hershey, the Middletown Blue Raiders clinched their spot in the PIAA […]
Don’t Call It A Comeback. Call It A Championship. Wilson Uses 28-0 Second Half To Win District 3 6A Title
Cumberland Valley and Wilson. Their names are synonymous with success in South Central PA high school football. Both have laid claim to numerous District titles while Cumberland Valley has an additional line on their resume that reads State Champion. Their success has not only been limited to the Friday night lights as well. Several notable […]
Cougars Leave No Doubt As Harrisburg Races Past Manheim Central For District Crown
Often times when playoff brackets are unveiled, fans will scour the page and look for intriguing later round contests or blockbuster-type championship games. In the case of the 2016 District 3 5A Playoffs, one matchup that caught nearly everyone’s attention was a possible championship game that would pit Harrisburg against Manheim Central. And why not? […]
New Class, No Problem. Berks Catholic Tames Lampeter-Strasburg To Advance To District 4A Title Game
Last year on Black Friday, the Berks Catholic football program spent the day in the Hershey winning the District 3 AA title game. Fast forward to Thanksgiving weekend 2016 and the Saints will attempt to do the same when they head back to Hersheypark Stadium to claim District gold with one notable difference. Instead of […]
Cocalico Goes Big and Doesn’t Go Home With Dramatic 25-24 Win At Northeastern
Coming into this year’s newly renovated District 3 playoffs featuring six classes, it was hard to find a team playing much better than Northeastern, regardless of classification. After all, the Bobcats came in riding a five game winning streak, including a trifecta of shutout performances back to back to back the last three weeks of […]
