Week 2: Annville-Cleona headlines Thursday night football scores in first win over Hanover

It took some time to get rolling, but Annville-Cleona found a way to dominate on its home field.

After falling to a 14-13 deficit early into the second quarter, the Dutchmen went on a 35-0 scoring run to put the Nighthawks away for the 48-20 victory.

Hanover didn’t make it easy, as fourth down conversions and two-point attempts made for an aggressive game plan on offense. It got the Nighthawks into the lead after a long second-quarter drive, but coach Matt Gingrich’s defense allowed almost nothing from that point on.

“Our defense took hold,” quarterback Bryce Keller said. “We finally got some stops, and really just capitalized on those moments.”

Keller was at the center of the Dutchmen's big-time night on the ground. The senior finished with 162 yards rushing, 52 passing and six total touchdowns. He began the season at running back but was chosen to step up after the team lost junior quarterback Wyatt Mase to injury.

Gingrich said Keller has stepped up a lot at the new position and talked about the quarterback’s part in a triple-option scheme that mostly runs the ball.

“You’re not going to throw often, but when you do there's typically wide open people,” Gingrich said. “Bryce plays both ways so he's ready to throw at all times."

“(He’s) just gotta get something in the vicinity of someone usually.”

Aside from Keller, senior running back Jonathon Shay added 110 rushing yards, all of the team's 52 receiving yards and two scores for the offense. Shay ran one into the end zone, and caught a long pass from Keller that pushed the Dutchmen lead to 14 before half.

“When you have a 6-foot-2 kid who goes everywhere — it’s tough,” Gingrich said. “None of our kids could have defended that; that's why we threw that pass.”

It was a momentum-swinging series, as Hanover had a chance to tie the game on their own possession with three minutes remaining in the half. The Nighthawks were forced to punt with a minute remaining, and it led to the play that Shay made down the sideline.

“He's amazing. Shay made a great play on the ball, he went up and got the points we needed.” Keller said. “It was quite a toss up. I'm just glad I got the ball out there at the spot it’s supposed to be.”

Hanover would attempt an onside kick out of halftime too while trying to get back in distance, but didn't recover and allowed another score to the Dutchmen.

Shay and Keller were the two main lines of offense all night, and both took direct snaps throughout the win. Gingrich mentioned getting his best players the ball, and said their versatility helps make plays often.

“I think they're very happy and eager to take the ball, I do not think that bothers them at all,” Gingrich said.

After tallying nine touchdowns through the first two games, Keller’s impact is clear. His versatility stands out on both sides, and on offense his rushing ability makes the Dutchmen's triple-option scheme even more complicated.

“The thing that’s neat for me, the offense has decided it doesn't matter what it looks like, (they’re) just gonna go and score,” Gingrich said. “We have yet to have a drive that's been easy.”

Annville-Cleona piled on points over Hanover, but it came from a patient attack. The team ran it 37 times out of 41 total plays, and Gingrich said it translated to more control of game flow.

“That's the first time this year we've had long runs,” Gingrich said. “I'm very proud of how much they grind it out. This is what patience gives you.”

After a 39-36 loss last week, there was no need for change offensively. The Dutchmen rushing attack proved to work again, and they were aggressive in all facets of play-calling as usual.

The squad went its second consecutive week without an offensive punt, and Gingrich said it shows the team’s focus on being patient. His quarterback agreed, and said the small gains help to open up the bigger plays.

“It helps us keep grounded and make sure we're not getting too high, not too low,” Keller said. “It really just keeps our head centered and ready to go.”

After scoring 84 points through the opening two weeks, the Dutchmen have found the season’s first win along with some added momentum.

“Our offense was really good last week, and our offense was really good again so that didn’t change,” Gingrich said. “There's something to be said when you can take someone's best shot, and it doesn't matter what they do."

The season's headliners: Lebanon County's top 40 football players as 2024 kicks off

Week 1's best: Revisiting the opening week's top football performances in Lebanon County

Other Thursday night football scores:

ELCO 7, Conrad Weiser 31

Palmyra vs. Mechanicsburg: Postponed to 11 a.m. Friday

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Week 2: Annville-Cleona headlines Thursday night football scores in first win over Hanover