![\"Twin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TMC-L-AliquippaTwinValleyPIAAASemiFootball1309.jpg\")
Twin Valley coach Brett Myers and his Raiders move up to Section 3 in the Lancaster-Lebanon League this season. (BILL UHRICH\/READING EAGLE)\nSection 3<\/p>\n
The long, grueling, scorching heat days of summer are over the hill which means football season has arrived.<\/p>\n
As the leaves start to change, the cool, crisp morning air will lead into screaming crowds under the Friday night lights, some may say the best time of the year.<\/p>\n
And the Lancaster-Lebanon League should not disappoint heading into its fifth season after the Berks County League merger.<\/p>\n
Section 1<\/p>\n
Manheim Township, the reigning champs, and Wilson are the top dogs in Section 1.<\/p>\n
The Blue Streaks walked into John Gruski Stadium in Week 10 and snatched the section title from the Bulldogs, 20-14. Mark Evans, who won Coach of the Year in 2025, led Manheim Township to the District 3 Class 6A semifinals, falling to eventual champion Harrisburg 34-7.<\/p>\n
Manheim Township lost plenty of talent to graduation but still has pieces to compete, including wide receiver Chase Fletcher, who had nearly 300 receiving yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore, and linebacker Dehvyn Lauano, who recorded 60 tackles.<\/p>\n
As for Wilson, newest Bulldog Justice Hardy makes his debut in West Lawn against the Blue Streaks in Week 4 (Sept. 18). Wilson graduated eight First-Team LL selections but still has a star-studded roster featuring seniors Michael Glover, EJ Brownback and Monty Greer.<\/p>\n
Hempfield, who last won the section in 2022, is the third team that qualified for the District 3 playoffs. Reigning Outstanding Back of the Year Orion Abrams returns after recording more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2025.<\/p>\n
All three playoff qualifiers graduated their starting quarterbacks in Jack Kenneff, Mason Young and Derek Katch, respectively.<\/p>\n
Cedar Crest and Penn Manor remain in the middle of the pack, while both bring back the majority of their 22 starters from last season. Offensive Back of the Year Isaiah Zimmerman is back for the Falcons after rushing for more than 1,000 yards.<\/p>\n
Rounding out Section 1 are Reading and JP McCaskey, as neither has had recent success, combining for just four wins over the last two seasons.<\/p>\n
Section 2<\/p>\n
Back-to-back champion Conestoga Valley is at the top of the food chain in 2026.<\/p>\n
The Pioneers lost the dynamic duo of QB Sawyer Esbenshade and WR Josiah Garcia, so for an offense that averaged 38 points per game, things will look different.<\/p>\n
In each of the past two seasons, Conestoga Valley has beaten the Exeter Eagles in the regular season but went on to lose come District 3 Class 5A time, a rivalry that has become must-see football.<\/p>\n
The Eagles also graduated RB Leo Brown and QB Riley Martinez, leaving another offense that was humming last season and won by an average margin of 33 points.<\/p>\n
Muhlenberg surprised many under Rob Flowers\u2019 second season as head coach, punching their ticket to their first District 3 playoff appearance in 12 seasons. However, the Muhls lost a ton of talent in RB Cam Small and WR Michael Miller, making them another team that\u2019ll have some new faces producing on Fridays.<\/p>\n
Ephrata enters its third season in Section 2, with back-to-back 6-4 finishes. The Mountaineers return a number of starters and will look to take down Conestoga Valley and Exeter at the top.<\/p>\n
Elizabethtown took a step forward with a three-win improvement and will look to ride that momentum into 2026 behind running back Prince Wratto, who reached the 1,000-yard mark with 16 touchdowns.<\/p>\n
Gov. Mifflin has not had a winning record since the merger in 2022, and in head coach Nick Morrissey\u2019s third season, the Mustangs will look to put everything together.<\/p>\n
At the bottom, Lebanon is searching for its first victory in seven seasons, 52 games and counting.<\/p>\n
Twin Valley coach Brett Myers and his Raiders move up to Section 3 in the Lancaster-Lebanon League this season. (BILL UHRICH\/READING EAGLE)
\nSection 3<\/p>\n
The reigning PIAA Class 4A runner-up, Twin Valley, has joined a tough Section 3, with fellow Berks County squad Conrad Weiser moving down to Section 4.<\/p>\n
The Raiders finished 14-1, dominating week after week on their way to a District 3 championship. Even with key players such as RB Drew Engle and WR Ben Grundy graduating, Twin Valley is still loaded with talent as they look to take the section crown from Solanco.<\/p>\n
The Golden Mules fell in the District 3 Class 5A semifinals to Bishop McDevitt 38-20. They\u2019ll be without two-time All-State selection Johnny Garcia, who rushed for 4,529 yards in his high school career. However, Solanco brings back a big, experienced offensive line that will hope to help take down the Raiders at the top.<\/p>\n
Warwick took a step forward in 2025, going from 5-6 to 9-3 and a District 3 playoff berth before losing to Solanco 56-24 in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, the Warriors take a hit due to graduation with Vinny Bagonis and Calvin Bent, two staples in the trenches, moving on.<\/p>\n
Garden Spot and Manheim Central each finished .500 in 2025. The Spartans bring back a good amount of talent, with a number of playmakers in the backfield and on the outside.<\/p>\n
Matt Heiser enters his first season as head coach for the Barons, while Logan Kappel returns at quarterback after throwing for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season as a starter.<\/p>\n
Cocalico suffered its first losing season in 20 years, not something the Eagles will want to repeat in 2026.<\/p>\n
Fleetwood will have first-year head coach Mel Fegely at the helm. With promising talent at the skill positions, the Tigers could see improvement in a daunting section.<\/p>\n
Section 4<\/p>\n
Teams can take a sigh of relief as Twin Valley moves up to Section 3.<\/p>\n
Wyomissing and Lampeter-Strasburg will fight for the crown at the top.<\/p>\n
The Spartans lost Justice Hardy, who transferred to Wilson, along with a plethora of major senior contributors, but do have an experienced offensive line that surprised many, even Bob Wolfrum, last season.<\/p>\n
Wolfrum, who enters 40th season as head coach, was one play away from leading the Spartans to their seventh straight District 3 championship appearance in a 37-35 loss to Susquehanna Township.<\/p>\n
Wyomissing defeated the Pioneers twice last season, in Week 10 and the District 3 Class 4A quarterfinals, by a combined score of 69-13.<\/p>\n
Safe to say, a group led by QB Asher Jones and RB Colby DeJessa, who combined for 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, will want their get-back.<\/p>\n
ELCO also made the District 3 playoffs, defeating Kennard-Dale 28-21 before getting dominated by Susquehanna Township 50-13 the following week. The Raiders return a healthy amount of starters, including QB Brinley Donmoyer, who accounted for 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns with his arm and legs.<\/p>\n
The Indians enter a new era under John Manion as head coach, who spent 23 seasons at Lampeter-Strasburg. Look out for Donegal?<\/p>\n
The Braves are highlighted by Brayden Mastrippolito, who rushed for 1,275 yards and 15 scores in 2025.<\/p>\n
Conrad Weiser is back in Section 4 after two seasons up, winning the title in 2024.<\/p>\n
A talented group of returners enters Alan Moyer\u2019s 24th season, hoping to reestablish themselves against some old foes.<\/p>\n
Daniel Boone, which has won just three games in the past three seasons, will have former Fleetwood head coach Steve Pangbrun at the helm.<\/p>\n
Section 5<\/p>\n
Sometimes an underappreciated section of the Lancaster-Lebanon League, there is plenty of good football to go around.<\/p>\n
The reigning section champs, Berks Catholic, were hit by graduation and transfers, but are looking to replicate last season\u2019s District 3 Class 3A championship appearance.<\/p>\n
Highlighting the group is Coy Koller, who rushed for 609 yards and seven scores as a sophomore, All-State defensive end Faith Zudie and Offensive Lineman of the Year Eric Bennethum.<\/p>\n
Annville-Cleona and Lancaster Catholic followed up in the standings.<\/p>\n
The Dutchmen fell just 14-7 in Week 10 to the Saints, and some big bodies return hoping to take the section in Devon Englehart and Kaidavin Ginting, who can be game wreckers on defense.<\/p>\n
As for the Crusaders, they fell to Halifax 30-14 in the Class 2A semifinals. Another squad that graduation was not kind to, Lancaster Catholic will have some players to develop moving forward.<\/p>\n
Columbia and Schuylkill Valley each qualified for the District 3 playoffs.<\/p>\n
The Crimson Tide fell 46-22 to Steel High in the Class 2A semifinals. They\u2019ll have a long list of major contributors back, including First-Team selection Cameron McClair, who had 20 touchdowns combined with his arm and legs.<\/p>\n
Similarly, QB Alex Aletras is the bright spot returning in Leesport.<\/p>\n
As a junior, he threw for more than 1,700 yards with 21 touchdowns and has only improved this offseason. The Panthers have a great opportunity to capture their third section title since Hall of Fame coach Bruce Harbach\u2019s arrival in 2021.<\/p>\n
Pequea Valley, Hamburg and Kutztown all finished under .500 in 2025.<\/p>\n
With a new look, the Braves enter Andy Tibbins\u2019 first season as head coach. Will he get the program to its first winning season since 2015?<\/p>\n
Tyler Hartranft is back for his second season as head coach of the Hawks. There is a lot of promise in sophomore QB Isaac McFadden, who started all 10 games last season.<\/p>\n
The Cougars wrote themselves into the history books by becoming the first team in league history with three 1,000-yard rushers, and just the fourth in Pennsylvania ever to do so. Unfortunately, that feat did not translate to wins, as Kutztown has not had a winning season since 2004.<\/p>\n
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