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Friday night leftovers: Crest, Cougars roll


Some leftover thoughts and notes from Week 1 of the high school football season:

BIG BOYS GET IT DONE FOR CEDAR CREST>> It's never been and never will be the glamour position, but Cedar Crest's 41-7 Cedar Bowl win over Lebanon served as yet another reminder of the importance of offensive line play.

Though Lebanon miscues unquestionably helped turn the game into a rout, it was the Falcons' power running game that set the tone.

Junior back Justice Belleman was impressive in exceeding the 100-yard mark, but had plenty of room to roam thanks to the push up front from Garrett DeBien, Alex Flocken, Joe Radakovitz and company.

At the annual Lancaster-Lebanon League Football Media Day last month, Cedar Crest coach Rob Wildasin expressed confidence that his team would be much improved up front.

Early indications are he was right.

LEBANON BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD>> As detailed in this space Saturday, the Cedars must go back to basics before reaching where they want to go. Botched snaps, lost fumbles and missed assignments will throw you in reverse faster than anything else.

The turnaround won't be easy, though. Lebanon's upcoming home opener against Northern Lebanon on Friday will bring in a team whose strength matches Cedar Crest's. The Vikings returned six of their top eight linemen from last fall, who paved the way for a 52-0 win against Pine Grove. The Cedars must be more fundamentally sound and shore things up in the trenches or they'll be suffering from deja vu in five days.

REIGLE, RHETTE COME UP BIG >> If you're gonna reach your potential as a team, your playmakers have to, well, make plays.

Carl Reigle and Alon Rhette did just that for Palmyra on Friday.

The junior running backs both rushed for over 100 yards, and combined for three interceptions and two pick-sixes as the Cougars opened with a 27-6 statement win at East Pennsboro.

Given its talent level, Palmyra has a chance to produce its best season since the 2011 campaign that featured a triple overtime district playoff win at Manheim Central.

That chance will certainly be enhanced if Reigle and Rhette can continue to impact games in the way they did on Friday.

GINGRICH ERA AT A-C STARTS IN STUNNING FASHION>> A double-overtime victory on the road preceded by a near two-hour drive and later delayed by lightning.

How's that for an entrance?

The Matt Gingrich era at Annville-Cleona started with a bang Friday, offering great hope for the upcoming season. The key was and will continue to be senior quarterback Adam Fox, who carried the Little Dutchmen for stretches at Biglerville. How quickly they can get into the kind of shape Gingrich says he wants will play a large role in determining how well Annville-Cleona can sustain this initial success as the season wears on.

But for now, a 39-36 win after two extra sessions is a hell of a way to start.