LANCASTER, Pa. – The only thing that shined brighter than Friday evening's post game fireworks was the second half performance put on by the Franklin & Marshall football team during a 31-7 victory over Lebanon Valley in its season opener. The defending Centennial Conference Champions opened their non-conference slate by scoring 24 unanswered points over the final 30-plus minutes of game action in the home opener.
A big punt return from senior Chris Albero helped put the Diplomats in field goal range as they took a 10-7 lead into the half. That just proved to be a sign of things to come as the Diplomats outscored the Flying Dutchmen 21-0 during the second half. The night also started with a huge announcement that Franklin & Marshall Hall of Fame inductee and Emeritus Trustee Larry Shadek had made a $5 million gift to the College to begin construction on the Shadek Varsity House.
First Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 7, Lebanon Valley 0)
After getting a stop on its first defensive opportunity, the Diplomats set a physical tone on offense. Pinned back on their own five to start its first drive of the game, Franklin & Marshall would march that entire 95 yards over 19 plays while taking over 11 minutes off the clock. Seventy-nine of those yards came on the ground, capped by Louis Paris making a four-yard run into the end zone to give the Diplomates the early lead.
Second Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 10, Lebanon Valley 7)
Lebanon Valley's only real offensive threat came on back-to-back plays midway through the second quarter as the visitors picked off a pass just beyond midfield before quickly capitalizing on that turnover with a 55-yard touchdown reception on the ensuing play. F&M later got a huge defensive stand after first-team All-Centennial Conference punter Ivan Harlamov pinned the Flying Dutchmen back on their own two. A quick three-and-out – followed by the key punt return from Albero – set up a 34-yard field goal from last year's first-team All-CC kicker Michael Fleming as F&M took a 10-7 lead into the locker room.
Third Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 17, Lebanon Valley 7)
The Diplomats wasted little time adding to their advantage in the second half as they took the first drive of the third quarter 75 yards for their second touchdown. This drive saw quarterback Na'Rome Rayborn go 6-for-6 in the air during his first collegiate start. The junior found Hudson Zawadzkas for an eight-yard touchdown to complete the drive. With the offense beginning to find its grove, the defense continued its stellar performance and allowed just 20 yards, including a pair of three-and-out drives in the quarter.
Fourth Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 31, Lebanon Valley 7)
F&M extended its lead after taking over late in the third quarter. This time it was Anthony Valdez who capped a 13-play, 65-yard drive with his 11-yard touchdown around the end to put his team up 24-7 early in the final quarter. The final scoring drive of the night saw first-year running back Brett Wolski have his first time in the spotlight. He ran the ball on five consecutive plays while collecting 53 yards before Rayborn called his own number on the final play of the drive to score from six yards out.
Key Stats/Players
Franklin & Marshall nearly doubled up Lebanon Valley in total yardage, out gaining the Flying Dutchmen 408-234. Franklin & Marshall finished with more rushing yards than LVC had in total offense as the Diplomats saw eight different players carry the ball throughout the win. Rayborn had the highest rushing total as he carried 21 times for 96 yards. Wolski's 25-yard run was the longest of the night for the Diplomats as he averaged a team-best 9.5 yards per carry. Rayborn was also a threat in the air as he completed 15 of his 21 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns. The offense showed great versatility in the aerial game as eight different players caught a pass. The highest receiving total came from Thomas Jeanes who was targeted three times and had three receptions for 41 yards.
Defense was another team effort as eight different players recorded multiple tackles, led by Nick Aravides making six stops. Owen Banghart, Austin Hadley, and Connor Hille each make tackles behind the line of scrimmage, while James Arefieg picked off a pass and returned it 26 yards to end LVC's final possession of the night.
Up Next
Franklin & Marshall will be on the road during its next two weeks. The first of those road trips will see the team head to Westminster (Pa.) as the Diplomats look to avenge their only regular season defeat from the 2025 season. That contest on Saturday, September 12 is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
