myerstownherald.com

By GARY SIEGRIST
It’s hard to tell if Elco coach Mark Evans was stating the obvious or saying what he has really wanted to say all season long:
“So let the hype begin.”
The statement was actually two-fold, though. We have long awaited a final-game match-up between the Raiders and Lancaster Catholic for at least a share of the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section III title to come to fruition. But Evans also was speaking of the two quarterbacks who will be featured in this game.
Kyle Smith and Arron Achey are reason alone to attend this baby.
Smith broke a PIAA record by throwing his 95th career touchdown pass against Annville-Cleona last week. Little Dutchmen coach Terry Lehman put it bluntly after the 49-7 Crusader win in Annville.
“That’s right up there with Montana and Namath,” said Lehman of Smith’s record.
And Lehman isn’t the only one from Lebanon County who got an up close look at what Achey has done, especially in the latter stages of his career.
Just for a reminder, Achey rushed for 243 yards and was responsible for five touchdowns in Elco’s 44-14 win over Donegal to cement a second consecutive District III playoff berth for the Raiders.
“Kyle Smith has been talked about and talked about,” Evans said. “And Arron has kind of been a little late to arrive on the scene”
As for the potential fireworks we might see on offense, check out this stat: The national average in points per game this year in high school is 25.4. Elco averages 37.2 points per game. Lancaster Catholic? Over 40.
“I knew we would be in this position, whether it was at 8-1 or 9-0, said Evans. “So this is where I expected us to be. Going into this game, we know we have at least one more opponent after this. But this one can really add to this group’s legacy. They’ve done a great job. And all I want for them is to taste this success and add to their legacy.
“The importance right now is knowing, not believing we can execute. We’re just gonna put our best foot forward and play the way we can.”
—
Game:: Elco (8-1 overall, 5-1 LL III) at Lancaster Catholic (8-1, 6-0)
Place: : Lancaster Catholic Stadium, 7 p.m.
Last Year: : Lancaster Catholic 42, Elco 7
Outlook: : This is it, the one we’ve been waiting for since the football preview came out. And while it isn’t exactly for all the marbles due to Elco’s 40-14 loss to Lampeter-Strasburg four weeks ago, it can still create a three-way championship between the three teams mentioned once it’s all over.
If you’re the Raiders: : The important thing here is the fact that this won’t be Elco’s last game no matter what. Still, it can be a great measuring stick heading into the district playoffs. And with a win, the Raiders can fully atone for that loss to L-S. “We now know that we can learn a lot from a loss,” said Mark Evans of that game. “We had our chances in that one, we just had some times when we didn’t execute.”
If you’re the Crusaders: : Lancaster Catholic is the real deal. Lancaster Catholic’s Kyle Smith is the real deal at quarterback. Lancaster Catholic’s Jordan Stewart is the real deal at running back. Lancaster Catholic’s Tyler Purvis is the real deal at wide receiver. It’s pretty blunt here. Lancaster Catholic has to be… Lancaster Catholic.
The Pick: Lancaster Catholic 42, Elco 20
– GARY SIEGRIST: