Life moves pretty fast. That’s true in 1980s movies about truant teenagers and in high school soccer.
If you don’t stop and look around, you’ll miss the season.
There are, believe it or not, less than two weeks remaining. The races in the Lancaster-Lebanon League are nearing their conclusion.
Let’s take a look at each section:
Manheim Township’s Evan Shellenberger (7) and Warwick’s Rowan Bergman (25) go after a loose ball during first-half action of an L-L League boys soccer game at Manheim Township High School’s Ed Journey Field in Neffsville on Wednesday Sept. 23, 2026.
CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
SECTION 1
A familiar scenario is unfolding among the big schools. Warwick, Manheim Township and Hempfield are fighting for two tickets into the L-L tournament.
Warwick (6-2 L-L, 9-3): The three-time defending section champion is back in first place. The Warriors are doing it a little differently this season. They have a high-powered offense with 31 goals scored. The attack is led by Nico Martinez with eight goals, Kason Mentzer with four goals and Ben Carlson with five goals and six assists.
The good news for Warwick is it has wrapped up the series with Township. A win at Hempfield Monday and home against Cedar Crest Wednesday gives the Warriors another title.
Township (5-2-1 L-L, 7-2-2): The Blue Streaks knocked off Hempfield 2-0 at Landisville Thursday to move into second place. They rank second in the District 3 Class 4A power ratings, one spot ahead of Warwick. Jesus Lopez has five goals and Evan Shellenberger has three goals and four assists.
Two more wins and Township clinches a spot in the field. The Streaks are at Cedar Crest Monday and home against McCaskey for Senior Night on Wednesday.
Hempfield (5-3 L-L, 7-5): The Black Knights find themselves scratching and clawing to get into the field. The last time they were in this position they qualified for the tournament on the last day and then brought home the championship in 2024. Teddy Confair leads Hempfield with seven goals. Cooper Halvorsen has four goals and four assists.
Some help will be required for Hempfield to stand among the league’s final eight. The Black Knights can pull even with Warwick by winning Monday. Then they finish at Penn Manor Wednesday.
Section 1 has captured the last seven league championships. The final has been a matchup of Section 1 rivals five times during that stretch.
Cocalico’s Sam Hershey (31) takes off on a breakaway against Conestoga Valley during second-half action of an L-L League boys soccer game at Conestoga Valley High School in Witmer on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
SECTION 2
Cocalico (8-0 L-L, 13-1): The Eagles have already clinched the section by virtue of their season sweep of Conestoga Valley. They’ve won 10 in a row and are third in District 3 Class 3A. All-State candidate Cody Beamesderfer is the league’s leading scorer with 18 goals and 10 assists.
With 14 seniors on the roster, Cocalico feels like this is the time to claim a championship. The Eagles were the last team from outside of Section 1 to walk off with the title in 2018.
Conestoga Valley (6-2 L-L, 10-2): One more win will clinch a spot in the L-L field for the Buckskins, who have quietly reached double-digits. Rolan Hurst leads the team with seven goals. Paxton Rossos has five goals and four assists and controls the midfield. Jacob Hallgren anchors the back line.
The only glitch for CV has been its two losses to Cocalico. The second was a one-goal heartbreaker in Witmer earlier this week. The Buckskins loom as a dangerous opponent if they make the league tournament.
Donegal’s Mason Musser (24) and Manheim Central’s Wyatt Buckwalter (13) battle for the ball during first-half action of an L-L League boys soccer game at Manheim Central High School’s Baron Field in Manheim on Wednesday Sept. 16, 2026.
CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
SECTION 3
Manheim Central (7-1, 10-2-1): The Barons have the inside track to their first section title since 2018. They’ve won six in a row and have moved up to No. 6 in District 3 Class 3A. Brett Sensenig has seven goals, Josiah Zook has six goals and Leo Frank has contributed six assists.
The path to putting a number on a banner is simple. If Central can win at Donegal Tuesday and home against Northern Lebanon Thursday, the Barons will finish first. Facing Donegal won’t be easy.
Donegal (6-1-1 L-L. 9-3-2): The Indians’ dream in the preseason was to claim the school’s first section championship since 1988. That dream remains within reach. If Donegal can win out, the title belongs to the boys in Kelly green. Mason Musser has 13 goals, which is tied for fifth in the league. Drew Horst is rock solid in the middle of the defense.
After the showdown against Central on Tuesday, Donegal has Octorara at home on Thursday. A chance for a piece of school history is out there. Both Donegal and Central will be in the L-L tournament.
Lancaster Catholic’s Pablo Navas (10) takes a shot against Lancaster Mennonite during second-half action of an L-L League section four boys soccer game at Lancaster Mennonite School in East Lampeter Township on Tuesday Sept. 29, 2026.
CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
SECTION 4
Lancaster Catholic (6-1-1 L-L, 11-1-1): It’s a two-game sprint to the finish. The Crusaders own the tiebreaker over Mennonite by virtue of going 1-0-1 in their meetings. They can clinch their third section title in four seasons by winning out. Shandon Barnock has 13 goals and is one of the league’s breakout performers and Pablo Navas controls the midfield.
What’s left for Catholic? Lancaster Country Day Monday and Annville-Cleona Wednesday. Those teams have combined for two league wins.
Lancaster Mennonite (6-1-1, 9-2-1): The Blazers are one of the stingiest teams in the league with only six goals allowed. Jake Paulinellie holds down the defense in front of Lucas Kratz, arguably the L-L’s top goalkeeper. The attack is fueled by Sebastian Johnsen Martin with 15 goals. Mennonite is disciplined, opportunistic and difficult to play.
Pequea Valley (5-2-1, 10-3-1): The Braves kept themselves in the hunt by knocking off Catholic 2-0 in Kinzers on Thursday. Doug Bragg leads the charge with six goals. Pequea will need to beat Mennonite on the road Monday to keep its league playoff hopes alive.
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