ll league

The man whose snap will start every offensive play for Garden Spot football this fall likes his team’s chances.

It was a magical, championship season for Lancaster Mennonite boys soccer in 2024.

But gone are nine seniors from the team that won the state championship for the Blazers last season.

Pequea Valley's football team made the playoffs for the first time in 27 years last season and the Braves hope to make it two straight. They were 5-5 last year in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5. 

The Braves are led by Drew Tibbins, a fullback and linebacker. Tibbins also played basketball for state champion Linville Hall. The dual-sport star says playing both "keeps him in shape." He's looking forward to more success on the football field. Mike Choi coaches the Braves. 

McCaskey has experienced its share of success in track and field and that has extended to the cross country course. The Red Tornado finished near the top of Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 last year. The teams are hoping to give Manheim Township a run the section title this year. 

Coach Derek Jennings says the building blocks are in place for a "strong season and showing in the league and district meets."

No one in the Lancaster-Lebanon League has found any more football success in recent years than Manheim Township, but the last three seasons have all ended sooner than expected with losses to Harrisburg in the District 3 playoffs. How to get over that hurdle? "Play as one," says Darius Dixon.

Players attending media day:

Jack Kenneff (top), senior, quarterback

(from left, below)

Luke Wagner, senior, tight end, defensive end

Taylor Veilleux, senior, running back, defensive lineman

Section champion, district runner-up and a trip to the state quarterfinals last season is not the best Lancaster Country Day's tennis team has accomplished. Players are optimistic for more with their No. 1 player returning after not playing last year because of an injury. 

Players attending media day:

(from left)

Lianna Harkin, senior

Ella Davis, senior

Sienna Castelli, senior

Taylor Smith, senior

Lampeter-Strasburg completed a 14-1 season last year, losing only in the state championship game to Bonner-Prendergast 40-14.  But it was a banner season for Coach Victor Ridenour's team. The District 3 champions will need to replace a number of starters but return key players this year.

Tight end Keegan Curtis (top right in photo) and fullback Mitchell Swarr (bottom right) will lead the offense.

Curtis says, "We have all the athletes and mindset from last year. The senior class is looking to lead the team and prove ourselves again."

Solanco's top cross country runners say they like to reach the state tournament this year.

Runners attending media day:

(from left in photo)

Isaac Esh, senior

Nate Reese, junior

Esh and Reese lead an experienced Solanco cross country team into the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 season.

Esh, a four-year runner, has a goal to lower his home course time to a sub-17:00 personal record, and Reese is working to
get below 18:00.

Columbia has a rich history in athletics and football. Last year was one of the toughest for the Crimson Tide team, going 0-10. Columbia will try to rebound this year with a number of returning starters back for new Coach Nate Bagley. He says it's "important to do the little things right."

Xavion Jones (left in photo), a tight end and linebacker, will be a key player.

He says, "It's important to stick together, and last year built character." He likes to play both sides of the ball, but defense may have an edge: "You get to hit people."

Even just one goal a game can turn a losing record into a winning one, Solanco assistant girls soccer coach Remington Wright says.