Northern Lebanon's Ryan brothers continue "making moments" in Week 7

LAMPETER — Throughout a long night of football, the Vikings saw a familiar connection step up in action.

Brendan and Brady Ryan made a handful of highlights for Northern Lebanon, as the team fell 56-3 on the road to Lampeter-Strasburg.

The brothers showed up in all facets, lining up at receiver and next to each other at safety and on kick returns. After tallying three of the Vikings’ five touchdowns this campaign, the Ryan brothers added to their defensive contributions versus the Pioneers.

Thursday night saw each brother continue to get the ball on offense and special teams, but they also added several tackles while sophomore Brady grabbed a second-half interception.

Northern Lebanon’s coach praised the duo and their effort, emphasizing how important they are overall.

“They’re playmakers. They show out week in and week out, so naturally we’ve got to find ways to get them the ball,” Rice told the Lebanon Daily News. “They are students of the game — so they're guys that we're gonna continue to lean on moving forward.”

'Chemistry has always just been there for us'

Rice has coached the brothers for as long as they’ve been Vikings and says that the maturity and growth from both has been most noticeable.

Postseason outlook: How are playoffs lining up through six weeks? Postseason chances around Lebanon County

"Sharing the moment:" Northern Lebanon's Jason Rice reflects on bond with Vikings and 2025 class

Despite the two-year gap between them, Brendan and Brady have been on the same page as long as they’ve lined up together. They’re vocal on the field and sidelines, which adds to the impact they bring as leading playmakers.

“They push each other, they have that sibling rivalry,” Rice said. “When we do conditioning, it's usually the two of them in the front at all times, and I guarantee that carries back home, too.”

When on the field together, the brothers tend to make plays in competition with one another — and it’s been on display in some of the biggest moments this year.

In a Week 5 win versus Donegal, Brady scored on an 85-yard kickoff return, while Brendan’s 75-yard punt return touchdown put the Vikings ahead 14-12 for the game-winning score. As players with similar skill sets, they said that the competition they feel with each other during games isn’t strict to football — and that the constant challenge makes them better in every aspect.

During the team’s Week 7 matchup, the pair continued to show their bond.

“This year as safeties together, we're talking through everything and communicating through everything,” Brady said. “That chemistry has always just been there for us.”

Defensively, the brothers have made plays at all levels. As two of the Vikings' top three leading tacklers, they've also picked off four of seven interceptions on the defensive side — so their presence has been unmatched.

In Brendan's senior season wearing the yellow and blue, he said it’s been “a ride” for the pair to share the field. His younger sibling has also taken in those moments and appreciates it by celebrating each play that comes their way.

“It just means everything,” Brady said. “I love him with all I have, and it means everything to come out here in his last year and make these moments together.”

Despite the loss, the Vikings' leading scorers made plays all night in an attempt to keep up the energy. The Ryan duo has at least three more games on the field together in their final year sharing the gridiron.

They’ve taken advantage of each opportunity to make plays this year, and it’s allowed them to lead alongside each other.

“It's awesome to go out and both be the leading playmakers on our team,” Brady said. “We're not gonna forget this for the rest of our lives, and it's an amazing opportunity that we've been gifted.”

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Northern Lebanon's Ryan brothers continue "making moments" in Week 7