Lancaster got points on the opening drive thanks to a 24-yard field goal by Peter Fiorello from L-S. Gabe Martin then broke off a 41-yard run on fourth-and-2 in the second quarter. Garden Spot’s dual-threat quarterback took the ball down the right sideline to the 18-yard line. However, Lancaster wasn’t able to cash in on the red zone opportunity. A missed 32-yard field goal kept the score at 3-0 with 7:49 remaining in the first half.

Berks/Lebanon responded with its best series of the night. Wilson’s Mason Young, an Albright commit, lofted a perfect pass down the left sideline to Jayden Ware of Exeter for a 34-yard gain. They hooked up again to cap the drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone. Ware, who’s going to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, finished with three catches for 65 yards. “Jayden is certainly a playmaker. He has a real true competitive spirit. Kids like that never want to leave the field and coaches love guys like that,” remarked Moyer. Berks/Lebanon was in front 7-3 with 1:57 left in the second quarter.

Lancaster’s offense answered immediately. Martin rolled right and was under pressure when he lofted a pass deep down the right sideline to Kris Burgos-Wise from Solanco. The ball just made it over the hand of Reading cornerback Idris Weaver. Burgos-Wise made the grab at the 25-yard line and cut back into the middle of the field for a touchdown. Momentum shifted quickly as Lancaster went on top 10-7 with 1:38 to go in the half. Burgos-Wise, a Gettysburg commit, wasn’t done. On Lancaster’s next possession, he reeled in a 50-yard pass over the middle from Sawyer Esbenshade of Conestoga Valley. Lancaster couldn’t add to its lead because of a low snap on a 29-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

The only turnover of the contest came on the first play of the second half. Northern Lebanon quarterback Bryan Mitzel ran to his left where defensive tackle Taylor Veilleux of Manheim Township forced a fumble. His teammate with the Blue Streaks, Zach Bomberger, scooped up the ball and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown. Lancaster increased its advantage to 17-7 just nine seconds into the third quarter. Berks/Lebanon tried a 45-yard field on the ensuing series, but it was well short.

Lancaster put together a drive that lasted almost six and a-half minutes. All-State running back Johnny Garcia from Solanco and Marcos Fernandez of Manheim Township split time in the backfield. Fernandez took an inside handoff and lowered his shoulder at the goal line for a 7-yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked, but Lancaster seized control with that 80-yard march. Berks/Lebanon was behind 23-7 with 10:03 left on the clock. They turned the ball over on downs at Lancaster’s 40-yard line with 4:29 remaining. Cam Small, Muhlenberg’s all-time leading rusher with 3,817 yards, was bottled up for most of the game. He ended up with 58 yards on 16 carries. Will Milazzo, another standout from Manheim Township, provided a pair of sacks.

Despite the outcome, Moyer enjoyed working with the players on the Berks/Lebanon roster. “I told the kids they are certainly a special group, truly All-Stars and really a bunch of class acts,” he noted. Moyer added, “I met many parents after the game and made a point to tell them what great kids they have.”