Is Tyler Horst more valuable to the Elco football team on the offensive side of the ball or the defensive side? It’s kind of like asking: Which is more valuable an apple or an orange?

Let’s just say one would be hard pressed to identify a local player more valuable to his team than Horst.

On Friday night in Myerstown, Horst enjoyed another big game for Elco – on both sides of the ball – while leading the Raiders to a 43-24 triumph over visiting Columbia. In addition to his stellar play at the linebacker position, Horst toted ‘The Rock’ 20 times for 119 yards and three touchdowns.

Horst’s six-yard jaunt to the promised land early in the second quarter pushed the Raiders’ lead to 18-7. Then a four-yard burst by Horst just ticks before the break provided Elco with some halftime breathing room.

The 6-1, 220-pound bruiser capped Elco’s scoring late in the third period and gave the Raiders a 43-8 bulge.

Through seven games this season, Horst, a senior workhouse, has piled up 522 yards on the ground on 117 rushing attempts and has tallied seven touchdowns.

Horst is entertaining aspirations of playing football on the next level, but it would likely be as a linebacker.

– Jeff Falk