BY JEFF FALK
The whole idea behind sections, classifications and leagues is having similar sized programs competing against each other. But should that determining factor of size be overall enrollment of the school, or traditional sizes of rosters?
Traditional sizes of rosters seems to be the most fair way to go. At least that’s the Lebanon Cedars’ stance when it comes to the sport of football.
The Lebanon High administration’s request to move down in football, from Section One to Section Three, was recently approved by the Lancaster-Lebanon League. The move will become official for the 2018 season.
Partly because of small roster sizes, the Cedars have struggled in Section One and Section Two over the past few years. Last season, Lebanon went 1-9 overall and win-less in Section One.
Over the past three seasons, the Cedars are 6-24 overall and 1-20 in league play.
Under the L-L’s new football alignment, Lebanon will join Ephrata, Elco, Annville-Cleona, Northern Lebanon, Lancaster Catholic, Pequea Valley, Donegal, Columbia and Octorara in Section Three. The ten members will all play nine-game section schedules and a single non-league game – and the Cedars’ will continue to be Cedar Crest, in the annual season-opening Cedar Bowl.
Section One will consist of Cedar Crest, Wilson, McCaskey, Hempfield, Manheim Township, Warwick and Penn Manor. The new Section Two will included Manheim Central, Elizabethtown, Lampeter-Strasburg, Garden Spot, Cocalico, Conestoga Valley and Solanco.
For the Cedars, the realignment is supposed to be a temporary move, one that will allow them to get their program back in order. The move could inject new life into Lebanon’s roster, and the Cedars’ coaching staff is said to be excited about the realignment.
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