Hawks can’t tackle Brandon Way, Crusaders
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
By Clay Oberholtzer — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Tailback Brandon Way and Lancaster Catholic rushed past Hamburg 35-10 Friday night in a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 matchup at Hawks Stadium.
| Final | |
| Lanc. Catholic | 35 |
| Hamburg | 10 |
Way and quarterback Colton Hegener got the Crusaders out to an early 14-0 lead.
As Hamburg (1-2, 2-4) punted on its first two possessions, Lancaster Catholic (1-2, 3-3) methodically drove down the field as Way scored both of his touchdowns on short runs.
The Hawks were able to put a drive together, accumulating four first downs to the red zone, but Isaac McFadden threw a costly interception to Hegener (a quarterback and defensive back).
On the ensuing possession, Hegener took the ball 78 yards on a scramble. It was a real back-breaker for the Hawks as it came on second-and-15.
After a second-half opening drive touchdown by the Crusaders’ EJ Torres, Hamburg was able to finally get on the board, but with just an Aron Moser field goal that made it 28-3.
Way scored his third touchdown on his last carry for a 35-3 lead. This came after a costly fumble at midfield by Hamburg’s Alex Soto, the second time the Crusaders were able to take advantage by scoring off a turnover.
Hamburg finally reached the end zone on a McFadden 10-yard carry that capped off a five-play, 82-yard drive.
McFadden went 12-for-20 for 122 yards through the air. He also rushed for 40 yards.
Key play of the game
Colton Hegener intercepted Isaac McFadden in the red zone midway through the second quarter. This halted the first real momentum Hamburg had in the game, as it was poised to cut into a 14-0 deficit.
Star of the game
Despite not leading the team in rushing, Brandon Way scored three touchdowns to go with 112 yards rushing. He was tough to bring down. Way bruised the defense with every run from his first to his last.
Key statistic
The Hawks turned the ball over twice, losing the turnover battle; the Crusaders had no turnovers.
Quotable
“I thought we got punched in the mouth early on. Up front they definitely had the advantage early on. We lacked consistency in the passing game tonight. We have to continue to work to find our identity and get some kids to step up to make some plays.” — Hamburg coach Tyler Hartranft
Quotable
“I thought our guys did a good job of being in position to make the play. When you don’t execute the little techniques that you need to against a really good player like (Brandon) Way, he’s going to expose you. I think our kids felt that tonight. We were in position, we pursued a little bit, we didn’t tackle the legs enough, and when you don’t do those little things it gets really amplified against a player of his caliber.” — Hamburg coach Tyler Hartranft.
Quotable
“I told them we are on a little bit of a roller coaster right now. Last week we were the more fundamentally sound team, the tougher team, then we kind of took a step back again tonight. It’s about that consistency . . . it’s about being able consistently do it week in and week out.” — Hamburg coach Tyler Hartranft.
Up next
Hamburg looks to get back in the win column as it hosts Pequea Valley Friday.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Lancaster Catholic | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| Hamburg | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Lancaster Catholic | Way, 1 run (Wickenheiser kick) | 7:36 |
| 2 | Lancaster Catholic | Way, 3 run (Wickenheiser kick) | 11:24 |
| 2 | Lancaster Catholic | Hegener, 78 run (Wickenheiser kick) | 4:41 |
| 3 | Lancaster Catholic | Torres, 4 run (Wickenheiser kick) | 8:18 |
| 3 | Hamburg | Moser, 25 FG | 3:13 |
| 4 | Lancaster Catholic | Way, 2 run (Wickenheiser kick) | 7:23 |
| 4 | Hamburg | McFadden, 10 run (Moser kick) | 1:18 |
Team statistics
| LANCASTER CATH. | HAMBURG | |
| First downs | 13 | 15 |
| Rushes-yards | 38-285 | 34-105 |
| Passing yards | 52 | 122 |
| Total yards | 337 | 227 |
| Passes | 4-8-0 | 12-20-1 |
| Fumbles-lost | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| Punts-average | 3-29.3 | 4-37.25 |
| Penalties-yards | 8-80 | 5-45 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Lancaster Catholic: Hegener 11-142, Way 18-112, Baumler 3-29, DeMarco 1-7, Torres 3-4, Team 2-(-8)
Hamburg: Schmeck 14-56, McFadden10-40, Johnson 9-13, Horvath 1-(-4).
PASSING
Lancaster Catholic: Hegener 3-7-0–51, DeMarco 1-1-0–1.
Hamburg: McFadden 12-20-1–122.
RECEIVING
Lancaster Catholic: Torres 1-30, Shank 1-16, Smith 1-5, Baumler 1-1
Hamburg: Strunk 4-73, Soto 3-15, Horvath 3-37, Bentz 2-(-3).
INTERCEPTIONS
Lancaster Catholic: Hegener.
