football

Donegal is looking to improve its 1-9 record from last season in Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League by building the team from the trenches, and they've got one of the best teachers and coaches around for that goal. 

The words stand out clearly on Solanco School District’s website, just beneath the image of a snorting Golden Mule who looks like he’s running for tough yardage on fourth and one.

“Always Earned. Never Given,” it says.

The Octorara Braves are looking to improve on a 5-6 record last season.

The Braves are led by quarterback Mason Prokay (left in photo). He says, "The mindset is to be better than last year." Prokay admires Jalen Hurts, the Eagles quarterback and Tim Tebow.

The team has been going to camp at Millersville. Prokay says. "The team has been working out together and building team chemistry."

Other key players include Nathaniel Dow, running back and linebacker, and linemen Shaun Myrick Jr. (right), and Josh Ross. 

The new season means a new team at Conestoga Valley, but many of the skill players will be familiar as the team again expects to battle with an out-of-county opponent.

Players attending media day:

(from left)

Teagan Ruble, senior, running back, linebacker

Sawyer Esbenshade, senior, quarterback

Konner Fisher, receiver, safety

Josiah Garcia, senior, receiver, safety

The Buckskins were 11-0, having beaten Exeter in the league season when the Eagles toppled them to end their season.

When veteran Warwick coach Bob Locker looks at his squad for 2025, he sees a team featuring nearly a dozen new starters.

But he also sees a glass that’s half-full with a slew of returning starters and some solid senior leadership.

Hempfield football players, disappointed with a first-round loss in the District 3 playoffs last year, are entering the season with a main goal just to win Week 1.

Players attending media day:

(from left)

Cadyn Buckwalter, senior, defensive end, right tackle

Jordan Burkhart, senior, defensive end, tight end

Nate Swanger, senior, defensive end, offensive tackle

Derek Katch, senior, quarterback, safety

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

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

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."

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."