Jeckell Runs Wild as Crestwood Overcomes Mistakes to Defeat Hanover Area
By: Matt Flanagan | SportzWire | August 29, 2026 | Photo courtesy Danielle Petros
WRIGHT TWP., PA — Crestwood may not have played a perfect season opener, but the Comets made enough plays on the ground, on defense and on special teams to begin the year with a victory.
Senior running back Jake Jeckell rushed for 254 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, leading Crestwood past Hanover Area 22-6 on Friday night at Crestwood Stadium.
The Comets battled through two lost fumbles, an early turnover on downs and 116 penalty yards. Each time those mistakes gave Hanover Area an opportunity, Crestwood’s defense found a way to respond.
Crestwood opened the scoring late in the first quarter when quarterback Jack Rodgers connected with Logan Lawson for a 43-yard touchdown. The Comets then added a safety in the second quarter, taking an 8-0 lead into halftime.
Hanover Area made things interesting during the third quarter. After beginning a possession deep in Crestwood territory, Dewayne Downey scored on a 1-yard run to bring the Hawkeyes within two. Crestwood stopped the ensuing two-point conversion to preserve the lead.
The response from Jeckell came quickly.
Just two minutes later, the senior broke through the middle and raced 60 yards for a touchdown, extending Crestwood’s advantage to 15-6. The run highlighted a dominant performance from Jeckell and a Crestwood rushing attack that accumulated 342 yards.
Rodgers put the game away in the fourth quarter with a 28-yard touchdown run. One play earlier, he appeared to score from 18 yards out, only for the touchdown to be erased by a holding penalty. Rodgers responded immediately, finding the end zone again on the following snap.
Crestwood’s defense finished the job from there. The Comets limited Hanover Area to one touchdown, denied both of its field-goal attempts and stopped the Hawkeyes’ only two-point conversion. Teddy Taylor provided the final defensive statement with a fourth-quarter interception and 44-yard return.
Hanover Area found success through Downey, who rushed for 150 yards and its lone touchdown. Angel Tejeda added five receptions for 72 yards, but the Hawkeyes could not turn enough of their opportunities into points.
Crestwood finished with a 390-249 advantage in total offense despite the turnovers and penalties. The Comets showed there are areas to clean up, but they also demonstrated an ability to respond when the game tightened.
Crestwood begins the season 1-0 overall and 1-0 in Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2. The Comets will remain home next Friday to face Valley View, while Hanover Area travels to Wyoming Area.
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