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FOOTBALL: Elco, Northern Lebanon set for de facto Section Three title game


The Section Three marbles aren't all out there just yet.

But the team that leaves Fredericksburg a winner on Friday night will own a much larger collection. You can be assured of that.

Northern Lebanon (6-0, 2-0 Section Three) is set to host rival Elco in the spotlighted showdown of Week 7, a homecoming clash that features the only remaining unbeatens in Section Three and will determine a singular section leader. The Raiders (3-3, 3-0) are currently riding a three-game win streak, their last a 34-32 home triumph over Donegal, while the Vikings have taken 14 regular-season games in a row.

The most recent of that stretch, a narrow 16-13 home escape against Williams Valley, served as a team-wide wake-up call, per coach Roy Wall, though he says it won't alter Northern Lebanon's approach.

"We focus on what we want to do, which is stop the run, force them to throw and then blitz them," Wall said. "We're not going to change for them."

Change has been the one constant for Elco since its 0-3 start, beginning with fortified fundamentals and a growing diversity in its running game. Junior running back Tyler Horst has racked up the headlines, yet its been the Raider linemen, in varying numbers depending on the snap, that have furnished the team's success via cleared space up front. Their performance figures to be most critical against a Vikings group that similarly prides itself on trench play and has also feasted on big plays.

"We can't allow them to dominate the line. We've got to make sure we tackle and finish," Elco coach Bob Miller said. "And we can't give up special teams touchdowns.

Last year's showdown went into the books as a 26-14 Northern Lebanon victory, though the difference through three quarters was only one score. When asked what his Raiders need to do to close the gap in 2015, Miller channeled his inner Bill Belichick.

"They've just got to do their jobs," Miller said. "I think our kids are almost trying too hard. We've got to be very disciplined up front."

In Wall's mind, the path to 7-0 won't be a far cry different.

"We've got to do what we do," Wall said. "We can't get caught up in all the hype and hoopla because that's for the student body. The game is for us."

And victory is for the best team in Section Three, which after Friday will be just a few wins away from a title.

ANNVILLE-CLEONA AT KUTZTOWN>> The Little Dutchmen (4-2, 1-2 Section Three) will kick off their final non-league game of the season against a winless Cougars team. Kutztown, of Berks Inter-County Section Two, was handed a 52-6 defeat last year in Annville. Look for Adam Fox and Co. to get the scoring up early and finish with a two-game win streak under their belts.

CEDAR CREST AT HEMPFIELD>> The Falcons (2-4, 1-2 Section One) hit the road for their third straight section game, the last two consisting of defeats at Wilson and Manheim Township. The Black Knights will be looking to rebound after their own loss to the Bulldogs, who escaped Hempfield with a 15-9 win last Friday. Cedar Crest stood within two points of the Blue Streaks last week in the fourth quarter, sustained by long touchdown passes from Logan Horn to Raymie Ferreira.

Expect a continued heavy dose of Ferreira, Evan Horn and running back Justise Belleman against the Black Knights.

CAMP HILL AT PALMYRA>> The other battle of unbeatens in the county this Friday pits a pair of 6-0 clubs from the Mid-Penn Keystone Division. The Cougars (6-0, 3-0 Keystone) have returned home following road wins at Steel-High and Boiling Springs, while Camp Hill topped the Steamrollers last week, 35-21. Lions quarterback Michael Shuster threw three touchdown passes to as many receivers in that win and projects to be the centerpiece of Palmyra's defensive game plan.

Meanwhile, the Cougars should have success running Alon Rhette at the Camp Hill defense.

LEBANON AT LANCASTER CATHOLIC>> Ending a three-game slide will be the point of focus for the Cedars (1-5, 0-3 Section Two) down in Lancaster when they take on the Crusaders. Gerry Yionchuk's bunch has allowed more than 51 points per game since its 20-19 win at Elco on Sept. 18, but should see that number soon with most of Section Two's heavy hitters in the rear view. Lancaster Catholic quarterback Bryan Downey is a dual threat who Lebanon must account for, while offensively it has to get running back Malik Hunter going early.