LANCASTER – Quarterback Kyle Smith threw for four touchdowns passes as Lancaster Catholic defeated ELCO 51-28. With the win they clinched the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section III football title at Rossmere Stadium.

Lancaster Catholic head coach Bruce Harbach said, “Since the first week of practice and even over the summer, we said our first goal was to be the section champs and repeat.”

Since that feat is achieved, what’s next? The Crusaders have won five consecutive Section three titles and want to earn another trip to Hershey and defend their District Three Class AA title.

In the first half, Lancaster Catholic and Elco combined for six scoring drives.

The Raiders Tyler George caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Arron Achey. The Crusaders’ Geoffrey Arentz made a 32-yard field goal to make the score 7-3 in the game with 4:37 to go in the first quarter.

The Crusaders’ offense would start to click on all cylinders. They went on to score the next three touchdowns.

Smith would hit Quinn Houser for a 21-yard touchdown pass with 7 seconds to go in the first quarter.

After a high snap on an ELCO punt, Lancaster Catholic took over at the Raiders’ 6-yard line. Jordan Stewart scored on a one-yard run.  The Crusaders led 17-7.

With 2:13 remaining before halftime, Smith hit Andrew Millay for a five-yard touchdown pass.

ELCO would get back on the board with a 66-yard drive. Achey scored on a one-yard run with 12 seconds left in the half. The Crusaders went into halftime with a 24-14 lead.

In the second half Lancaster Catholic opened the third quarter with an 11-play drive. Smith hit Houser for an 18-yard touchdown pass. ELCO would respond again with an 80-yard drive that Achey capped with a two-yard touchdown run.

ELCO head coach Mark Evans said, “I’m proud of the way they battled. We’re gonna come out and try to do everything we can to be successful.”

Every time ELCO scored the Crusaders answered back. Stewart would score on a 51-yard run with 1:58 left in the third quarter.

Achey hit Erice Ondo for a 17-yard score and the Raiders were still hanging around 38-28 with 10:19 remaining in the game.

The Crusaders would answer back and score the final two touchdowns of the game. Smith hit Tyler Purvis for a 7-yard score and Trevor St. Clair scored on a 20-yard run.

The final score was 51-28.

ELCO quarterback Arron Achey completed 19 of 32 for 228 yards and two-touchdowns.

Smith completed 13 of 23 passes for 190 yards and four touchdowns.  That increases his state record touchdown total to 103.

Jordan Stewart rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Purvis caught five passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Lancaster Catholic (9-1) will host a District 3-AA game next week. ELCO (8-2) will be in the District 3-AAA playoffs next week.