Lebanon Valley has played some big football games under gentleman Jim Monos, so to say Saturday afternoon’s Oktoberfest meeting is the biggest ever might be a stretch.
Or maybe not.
Nationally ranked (#24) Lycoming is coming to town with a stingy defense and efficient offense. Awaiting them will be a Lebanon Valley football team that is 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the Commonwealth Conference, a game behind Lycoming and a game ahead of Widener and Delaware Valley in the standings. Lebanon Valley’s lone loss was by a touchdown at Widener, a team Lycoming beat 16-14 two weeks ago. Lycoming defeated Del Val 19-16 last week; LVC won’t travel to Del Val until Nov. 2.
If the weather cooperates, Saturday’s game ought to attract a huge homecoming crowd to Arnold Field, similar in size to the throng that gathered for the Dutchmen’s opening game of the season under the lights.
In this era of hurry-up, spread formations in which teams race up and down the field, Lycoming and Lebanon Valley are two squads that generally take care of the ball and rely on their defenses and special teams to make big contributions.
In other words, they play traditional football, not basketball-on-grass or whatever this week’s cute terminology might be. While the sport at all levels seems to be tilting toward offense, championships still go to teams that play strong defense.
Both of these teams certainly do that.
During Monos’ 20 years as head coach, the Dutchmen have challenged for a conference title several times but have never quite pulled it off. Lebanon Valley has strung together five straight winning seasons, including 9-2 in 2009.
One of the reasons for Monos’ success has been his and his staff’s success at attracting good local talent from strong high school programs. If you check LVC’s roster of close to 100 players, you’ll see graduates from traditional powers Manheim Central, Cocalico, Lower Dauphin, Central Dauphin and Cumberland Valley, along with players from Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.
Four Lebanon County high school grads have contributed to the team: linebacker Kyle Wenger (Elco), wide receiver Tyler George (Elco), tight end Nate Myers (Annville-Cleona) and kicker Matt Smoluk (Palmyra).
If you want to see what shapes up to be a great football game, find a spot around Arnold Field by 1 p.m. Saturday. If you want a good seat, get there at least a half-hour early.
As always, follow along on Twitter @sesnyderleb.