Alon Rhette is one half of a lethal one-two running combination. This week, close friend and teammate Carl Reigle was a jab, and Rhette was the right, overhead, hay-maker.

On Friday night at Buck Swank Stadium, Rhette’s running and all-around play helped the Palmyra football team to a 30-22 victory over Lebanon County rival Elco. Rhette, a junior speedster, rushed 15 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

With the Cougars protecting a 10-7 edge early late in the opening stanza, Rhette ripped off a 47-yard touchdown run through the teeth of the Elco defense, to extend Palmyra’s lead to nine points. Then early in the second quarter, Rhette’s 68-yard jaunt to ‘The House’ pushed the Cougars’ advantage to 23-7.

The Raiders never fully recovered.

For his part, Reigle added 92 yards on 22 totes of the pigskin, as the Cougars, at times, established movement up front.

A tireless worker and a prime-time performer, Rhette also starred on the other side of the ball for Palmyra.

Palmyra’s win over the Raiders upped their early season record to 2-0.

– Jeff Falk