Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
After getting blown out 35-0 last year, the Berks/Lebanon team was determined to have a better showing in the 23rd Tri-County All-Star Game. They jumped out to a 17-0 lead and were within three points with one minute remaining. The Lancaster squad prevailed 49-39 in a very entertaining contest at Manheim Central on Friday night. “We matched up pretty well. I think if we play ten times, it goes pretty evenly,” said Conrad Weiser quarterback Donovan Gingrich. The Bloomsburg commit finished 10-of-16 for 207 yards and three touchdowns. “Playing with people that I haven’t been able to play with, that are the best on their team, is pretty fun,” replied Gingrich. Wilson offensive lineman Derek Reiniger moved to running back in short yardage situations for Berks/Lebanon. He made the most of the opportunity with a pair of touchdown runs up the middle. Lancaster trailed 17-0 with 6:23 left in the second quarter. Caileb Howse from Lampeter-Strasburg scrambled six yards for a score to get them on the board with two minutes to go in the first half. After an interception by Warwick’s Quinn Care, Howse lofted a beautiful pass down the left sideline to his high school teammate Dom Brown. That 74-yard strike made it 17-14. Brown and Howse are both headed to Millersville University. Manheim Township quarterback Carson Weisser started the second half with a bang. He found McCaskey’s DeAndre Jones for a 80-yard touchdown and a 21-17 lead. Berks/Lebanon answered right back when Gingrich connected with Exeter’s Carter Redding down the right seam for a 64-yard score. “You’ve got weapons all over the field,” emphasized Gingrich. Redding racked up 170 yards on six receptions. The East Stroudsburg commit was named the MVP for Berks/Lebanon. Brown received that award for Lancaster. His 9-yard touchdown run put Lancaster back in front at 28-24 with 6:21 to play in the third quarter. Brown ended up with 98 yards on eight carries. Declan Clancy of Manheim Township rumbled for 87 yards on 13 carries. He’s also going to Bloomsburg. Weisser and Jones hooked up again for a 31-yard touchdown with 9:16 remaining. The pass was tipped at the 4-yard line, but Jones demonstrated outstanding concentration to bring it in. Berks/Lebanon pulled within 35-32 with 7:40 left. Gingrich rolled right and hit Exeter’s Genuine Stutzman for a 16-yard score. The 6’3, 220-pound TE/LB is another Bloomsburg recruit. After a long kickoff return, Howse threw a perfect fade to Hempfield’s Brayden Charles for a 21-yard touchdown. The 6’3, 205-pound target was named the Section 1 Wide Receiver of the Year last fall. Berks/Lebanon was down 42-32 with 7:16 to go. A fumble by Lancaster set them up with a short field at the 33-yard line. Gingrich zipped a 6-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Max Heffner of Daniel Boone with 1:37 left. However, Howse sealed the victory for Lancaster with a 44-yard touchdown run with 36 seconds to play. The L-S star had two scores through the air and two more on the ground. Howse passed for 135 yards and ran for 59. Weisser went 6-for-10 for 147 yards. Jones had a big night with five catches for 148 yards. Lancaster piled up 506 total yards, while Berks/Lebanon accumulated 446. Evan Myers, the son of head coach Brett Myers, was very efficient. The Kutztown commit was 7-of-8 for 156 yards. He’s the all-time passing leader at Twin Valley. Gingrich wrapped up a standout career at Conrad Weiser. The Scouts went (10-1) in 2024 and won the Section 3 championship. “It hurts that this is gonna be the last time playing with my friends, but I’ve got college to look forward to,” said Gingrich.