Lampeter-Strasburg Captures District Three 4A Crown 20-3 Over ELCO

Written by: Bruce Badgley on Saturday, November 14th, 2020. Follow Bruce Badgley on Twitter.

LANCASTER – It has become a special rivalry between ELCO and Lampeter-Strasburg in recent years. Rather than settling things in a league crossover game, these Lancaster Lebanon League rivals have met in the postseason in a win or go home game. On Friday, a District Three 4A Title and the opportunity to host a PIAA Semifinal game was on the line. A game doesn’t get much bigger than that. A game doesn’t get more emotional or hard-hitting than what L-S and ELCO displayed Friday night. The Pioneers passing game took control in the second half and vaulted L-S into the PIAA Tourney and a District Three Title 20-3 over ELCO. The District championship was the first back to back championships for Lampeter-Strasburg in school history.

Pioneer Quarterback Sean McTaggert had a solid second half throwing the ball. Sean had two TDs, one to Beau Heyser and an electrifying 72-yarder with Austin Stoltzfus that broke the game open in the fourth quarter. Nick DelGrande anchored the defense and had two fumble recoveries.

L-S Head Coach John Manion had high praise for his team’s effort. “Really, really proud of these kids,” said Manion. “This is what these kids have worked for since youth camp. This has been a group I have loved all the way up. This is a great senior class.”

Both teams started the game conservatively. The only meaningful drive was by L-S. The ELCO D caused a big turnover and after one we were scoreless.

Big turnover for @_dbohannon deep in their own end no score with @LSFootball1 8:25 quarter one @piaadistrict3 @EPAFootball @small_play @ddstokes124 @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/LKPpMdehU9

— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 14, 2020

ELCO had the only drive to yield points in the first half At the break, ELCO held a 3-0 lead over L-S.

@_dbohannon Rheece Shuey the short Field Goal to make it 3-0 over @LSFootball1 5:17 until halftime @piaadistrict3 4A Title game @EPAFootball @ELCOHSAdmin @ddstokes124 @CaryMoyer @small_play pic.twitter.com/tDeYgkAEvP

— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 14, 2020

The second half started very much like the first with the Defenses controlling the game. Finally, midway through quarter three, the Pioneers tied the game.

It’s a battle of Field Goals in the @piaadistrict3 4A Title game @LSFootball1 Andrew Reidenbaugh boots it through to tie it at 3 with @_dbohannon @ELCOHSAdmin 7:07 quarter three @EPAFootball @ddstokes124 @CaryMoyer @small_play pic.twitter.com/r7nYBKdfoI

— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 14, 2020

The L-S offense moved the ball effectively on its next third quarter drive. Andrew Reidenbaugh’s second Field Goal of the quarter moved the Pioneers in front for good.

Sean McTaggert hits Ian Herr with a nice completion which sets up another short Reidenbaugh Field Goal for @LSFootball1 Now up 6-3 over @_dbohannon @ELCOHSAdmin in the @piaadistrict3 4A Title game late 3rd quarter @EPAFootball @CaryMoyer @ddstokes124 @WPIAL_Blitz pic.twitter.com/qQUILa0Aay

— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 14, 2020

A big fumble recovery by the Pioneers set up this McTaggart TD pass to Heyser which was the first TD of the game.

Great effort by @LSFootball1 Beau Heyser to get in the End Zone Pioneers up now 13-3 over @_dbohannon @ELCOHSAdmin 9:06 remaining @piaadistrict3 4A Title game. @EPAFootball @ddstokes124 @CaryMoyer @small_play pic.twitter.com/dy3uBAawXQ

— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 14, 2020

The dagger for L-S was this 72-yard catch and run by Austin Stoltzfus.

Oh my 72 yards for Austin Stoltzfus ! @LSFootball1 extends its lead to 20-3 over @_dbohannon @ELCOHSAdmin with 7:46 remaining in the @piaadistrict3 4A Title game @EPAFootball @ddstokes124 @CaryMoyer @small_play pic.twitter.com/JeQrMqF6j4

— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 14, 2020