Football: Section 3 Preview

By -

 We're under one week away from the kickoff of the 2021 high school football season, and it's about time to take a look at the Pioneers and their Section 3 counterparts before the first whistle blows. 

Beau Heyser stiff-arms defender in District III 4A title game (Klein Media)

Donegal Indians

Connor Hyle in Game vs Lebanon (Chris Knight LNP)

Previous Record: 3-4
Last Year: L-S 42, Donegal 0

    The Indians have very few returning starters- a common theme across the L-L League. The two-headed backfield monster of Mason Ober and Garrett Blake are gone, but still expect to see a run-heavy style from the Indians. 2023 grad Landen Baughman (who only has 2 career pass attempts) is set to take over as the new QB. There will probably be some growing pains for this very young and inexperienced group, but there's enough talent in Mount Joy to remain around the .500 mark.  
Ephrata Mountaineers

Andre Weidman in Game vs ELCO (Missy Mortimer LNP)

Previous Record: 4-3
Last Year: L-S 54, Ephrata 16

    There won't be many familiar faces on the field for the Mounts. From an offensive standpoint, the top passer, rusher, and receiver are all gone. On the other end of the ball, stud strong safety Andre Weidman is back for more. He forced 6 turnovers and recorded 33 solo tackles last season. The Mounts have made great progress since losing 53 straight games in the 2010s, but a lack of experience and a tough non-conference schedule creates concern for a step backwards this season. 
Garden Spot Spartans

Joel Martin in Game vs Donegal (Patrick Blain LNP)

Previous Record: 2-4
Last Year: L-S 40, Garden Spot 7

    The Spartans took a step in the right direction last season, finally cracking their 20+ game losing streak. There's a good bit of experience on this team, but they'll need to find a new signal-caller after the graduation of Jesse Martin. Expect a few more wins out this team over the course of the season. 

Lancaster Catholic Crusaders

Mason McClair in Game vs Lebanon (Mark Palczewski LNP)

Previous Record: 2-6
Last Year: L-S 48, Lancaster Catholic 0

    The Crusaders are the only team in the Section to return their starting quarterback (Will Cranford). There are plenty of offensive weapons returning in Tony Cruz and Mason McClair, but the offensive line will need to hold up their end of the bargain. The defense is very young and will be the major question mark for this team heading into the season. Expect a solid season from the Crusaders.
Lebanon Cedars

Zahir Stone in Game vs Lancaster Catholic (Mark Palczewski LNP)

Previous Record: 3-3
Last Year: L-S 42, Lebanon 20

    There aren't many recognizable names on the Lebanon roster for second-year head coach Frank Isenberg. The dynamic duo of Isaiah Rodriguez and Alex Rufe has graduated, along with the majority of the rest of the offense. This team has some major question marks and holes to fill. 

Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers

Beau Heyser leaps for TD catch in District III 4A Semifinal (Klein Media)

Previous Record: 9-1
(District III 4A Champions, PIAA Semifinalist)
 
    After back-to-back District III titles, there are a whole lot of new faces in West Lampeter. Assistant coach Victor Ridenour is the new head coach, replacing the long-tenured John Manion. The core of last year's team is mostly gone, but there's a surplus of talent to fill the gaps. Coastal Carolina commit Nick del Grande will anchor an inexperienced offensive line, while Berkeley Wagner takes over under center. The defense is also inexperienced, but the Pioneers are overwhelming favorites to repeat as Section 3 champs. 

-By Logan Moyer LS News reporter

Popular posts from this blog

Advice: How to get straight As

By -
Image
Achieving straight As, or an unweighted GPA of 4.0, is the goal of many high school students. Getting straight As involves a lot of hard work, but it isn't impossible. Here is how I believe you can get all As. Do your homework. The number of students who do not do their homework shocks me. But doing your homework has many benefits and will help keep your grades up. Those five points you receive for a homework check matter, and when you get a 0 out of 5, it matters even more. Doing your homework also helps you learn the information, raising your test and quiz grades as well. Don't procrastinate. Procrastination is the downfall of many high school students who are capable of good grades. When you receive an assignment, do it ASAP. And when you are given the date of a test, start studying immediately instead of waiting and then cramming the night before. When you do this, you are likely to be less stressed, which increases the quality of the work you do. Don't put
Read more

Book Review: Read the story of 14-year-old 'Tex' an aimless, trouble-prone youth

By -
Image
Book Review Before school started, I went to Barnes & Noble to get a few books from my favorite author, S.E. (Susan Eloise) Hinton, to read as the year started. I got That was Then This is Now , Rumble Fish , (a third copy of) The Outsiders , and Tex .  I had already read The Outsiders at least nine times, I had finished That was Then This is Now , and I had just finished Rumble Fish , so I decided to pick up Tex and start reading. The author of these books writes them in the only way I can ever read books. First person point of view with a relatable narrator.  This one was told by the point of view of Texas (Tex) McCormick, a fourteen year old boy who is living with his brother Mason because they’re mom died when Tex was little and their dad walked out on them a few months back.Texas (Left) and Mason (Right) McCormick Texas believes that Pop (their dad) will be back soon, but Mason knows otherwise…or at least he thinks he does. Tex has a few close friends and is r
Read more

A Harmonious Evening to Remember: The Lampeter-Strasburg District Chorus Concert

By -
Image
On March 14th, 2024, Lampeter-Strasburg High School hosted the District Chorus Concert. Students from 4th to 12th grade performed captivating songs, and the auditorium was packed full of friends and family members who came to watch the performance.  Preparation for the concert was a long process, but a much needed one. No one knew how to sing the songs in the beginning, but after several rehearsals and time to fix the small details, they got to the level they performed at on the 14th.  The evening started off with the youngest singers of the night: the 4th and 5th graders. Their performance was followed by the Martin Meylin Madrigal singers and chorus, followed by the High School Madrigals and chorus. To end the evening, all groups joined on stage to perform “Ad Astra” together, a beautiful piece consisting of Latin and English lyrics. The song received a standing ovation from many members of the audience.  “I think it was a beautiful event,” stated James Appelgrijn, a junior in the Hi
Read more