Playoff-bound Cedar Crest sends Lebanon to record-tying loss
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
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(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)
By Jeff Reinhart — LNP/Lancasteronline
SOUTH LEBANON — Cedar Crest took care of business Thursday night, knocking off visiting Lebanon 41-7 in non-league play to raise the Cedar Bowl trophy for the 13th consecutive time against their backyard rivals.
| Final | |
| Cedar Crest | 41 |
| Lebanon | 7 |
The Falcons (5-5) came into its final regular season game at No. 10 in the District 3 Class 6A power ratings. Now Cedar Crest has to wait it out to see if it indeed clinches a spot in the tournament. Early indications are it will.
“We’ve had some ups and downs this year,” said Falcons coach Nick Lambros said.. “We’ve had some roller-coaster weeks. One week we’re scuffling, and the next week we’re thriving. It’s been one of those years.
“We’ve overcome a lot of adversity, and I’m so proud of them for doing that. … I believe this is a playoff-caliber football team. They’ve worked so hard. If we can get in have a Week 11, you never know what can happen.”
Isaiah Zimmerman rushed for 147 yards with three touchdown runs for Cedar Crest, which recovered three fumbles and intercepted three passes; the Falcons scored off of five of those takeaways.
Lebanon (0-10) fell for 52nd game in a row dating back to 2020, tying Ephrata for longest losing streak in Lancaster-Lebanon League history. The state record is 56.
“It’s great,” said Falcons linebacker Landyn Kline, who reached 100 tackles for the second straight season. “It’s a surreal feeling to make some history and be etched on the side of that trophy forever. To be able to hoist that trophy after winning it four straight years is great.”
Up 7-0, but looking for some momentum, Cedar Crest cashed in on a pair of turnovers in the second quarter to go up by three scores.
Jackson Smith thwarted Lebanon’s drive with an interception at the goal line on fourth-and-goal at the 13. That pick set up Skyler Sherman’s 18-yard TD run and the Falcons were up 14-0.
Later, Cedar Crest’s Connor McCracken scooped up a fumble on Lebanon’s fourth-and-1 play at midfield. That set up Zimmerman’s 5-yard TD bolt; his 32-yard sprint set up the score, and the Falcons were up 21-0 at the half.
Zimmerman, who went over 1,000 rushing yards for the second year in a row, did plenty of bobbing and weaving on the ground, and Cedar Crest’s Mason Cevette pounced on a fumble and raced 31 yards the other way for a 31-yard TD for a 35-0 lead, triggering the mercy rule with 7:02 to go in the third quarter.
“Everything surged to our side there,” Kline said about Cevette’s scoop and score.
Smith, Sherman and Kai Speaks had interceptions for the Falcons.
Lebanon got a 34-yard TD pass from Anthony Klish to Juan Rivera to snap Cedar Crest’s shutout bid with 39 seconds to play.
“It’s going to be stressful,” Kline said of waiting for official confirmation on a playoff spot. “But I really think we’re going to be able to slide in there at least at No. 10. This is a playoff team.”
Cedar Crest took a 37-16-1 lead in the trophy series.
