By Adrianna Clinton Copy Editor It seems that the boys of fall at Red Lion have learned how to win in a thoroughly electrifying fashion no less. They put on quite a show in front of the passionate Red Lion faithful on their home turf against the William Penn Bearcats in their first Division I game of the season. Senior quarterback Blake Cahill is known around the YAIAA for his throwing ability, but on Friday night he made it clear that he is just as dangerous when moving out of the pocket in an option-oriented offense. No time was wasted by Cahill on the Lions’ first drive as he lead the offense down the field and eventually ran from 8 yards out to score what would be his first of three touchdowns on the night. Cahill’s first score sparked motivation for his team but it would not be easy as the Bearcats would strike back moments later with a touchdown of their own late in the first quarter. The Lions knew they were in the early stages of what would be a street fight. A sense of urgency lead the 6-foot-6 quarterback to dive into the end-zone once again with 2:55 remaining in the second quarter, this time from 2 yards out. In the spur of a moment, the Lions’ momentum shifted and lost their strength against the Bearcats as they allowed them to score three touchdowns in the last three minutes of the first half. Two of those touchdowns came from costly mistakes made by the Lions; a lost fumble and an interception. Suddenly the Lions found themselves in a hole at halftime being down 26-13. Luckily their offensive line was playing tremendous ground attack, making room for Cahill and junior running back Kenny Holloway. “Our offensive line was so much better than their defensive line, and that’s why we won,” Lions head coach Jesse Shay said. A late third quarter drive consisting of 18 plays and 87 yards brought running room to the Lions. Three key fourth-down conversions and sustainable control of the ball gave junior Dan Waldrup the opportunity for a burst over the goal line to close the deficit to 6 points. Their domination on the ground was instrumental in the outcome. Holloway led the Lions in rushing with 131 yards on 24 carries -- ranking him among YAIAA leading rushers. With 6:41 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Lions sealed the deal with Cahill scampering 9-yards for a touchdown leading to an extra-point courtesy of sophomore Chris Carr. It all went right defensively on the ensuing drive as junior Derek Ross intercepted a late fourth quarter pass from quarterback James Way in Red Lions’ own end zone -- a play that could have resulted in a Bearcat touchdown but instead secured a victory. Would the Bearcats have scored, the Lions would have been left with little time to answer back. The Lions’ defense was able to hold off William Penn following the turnover and win their first Division I game of the season, preserving a three-game winning streak and putting them at .500 with a record of 3-3, a standing the squad has not reached since the 2011 season. One of the many adversities Red Lion has faced this season was a struggling offense. Coming into the game, the Lions only scored 70 points in their first five games combined. Not only did they prove they can put points on the board, but that they could do it with a dominant ground attack. “They now have confidence to know they can play a tight game with a good team...they’re believing in the hard work,” Shay said of the team’s performance. William Penn 6 20 0 0 -- 26 Red Lion 7 6 7 7 -- 27 First Quarter RL -- Blake Cahill 8 run (Chris Carr kick), 7:38 WP-- Bryshon Sweeney 1 run (kick blocked), 4:45p Second Quarter RL -- Cahill 2 run (kick blocked), 2:55 WP-- Sweeney 59 run (Thurman Fogleman kick), 2:41 WP -- Dakeem Dennison 46 pass from James Way (Fogleman kick), 2:08 WP -- Erick Jones 22 pass from Way (kick failed), :35 Third Quarter RL -- Dan Waldrup 4 run (Carr kick), :25 Fourth Quarter RL -- Cahill 9 run (Carr kick), 6:41 The Lions will visit the offensive powerhouse of the Spring Grove Rockets (4-2, 0-1) in week seven, who lost their own nail-biter in week six to the Central York Panthers.
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With a 1-9 season behind them, the Lions football team showed promise in their first game of the season and look forward to beginning a new era under head coach Jesse Shay. By Adrianna Clinton Copy Editor Although it seems in the past several years Cumberland Valley has been a powerhouse contender for Red Lion, the Lions’ attitude towards the Eagles changed for this year’s week one matchup. After an energized and confident entrance by the Lions, the team made great progress down the field despite a poor kickoff return. With the help of an Eagle penalty, the boys made it down to the 22 yard line, only to have a blocked field goal on 4th and 1. Unfortunately, Cumberland Valley’s recovery led to their first of several touchdowns. However, the Lions wasted no time on their next possession with a significant pass from senior quarterback Blake Cahill to fellow senior wide receiver Chris Knorr for 36 yards. Even with their great field position, an incomplete pass led to a turnover on downs. Poor tackling was a major cause of many Cumberland Valley touchdowns, but there was a great offense present for Red Lion. In spite of a lacking running game, the Lions had no problem making it down the field, largely thanks to Cahill’s arm and the protection he received from his offensive line enabling him to get to his receivers. Cahill threw for 300 yards and completed 24 of 44 passes, ranking him second in the YAIAA passing leaders. He can also run, as he had 6 rushes for 36 yards on the night. The final score of 44-14 truly does not serve this year’s Lions football team justice, for Cumberland Valley made many mistakes. Not only did the Lions recover both of the Eagles’ fumbles and did not make any themselves, but they were fortunate to only receive two penalties, whereas Cumberland Valley was penalized six times for 45 yards. The Lions fought hard for tough yardage, which is a level of determination they haven’t always shown in the past. Red Lion was disciplined and prepared very well, greatly in part due to new head coach Jesse Shay. This game was his first ever as a head coach, and Shay described it as “surreal, walking out and seeing the great fans of Red Lion.” Without a doubt, we were equally as happy to see him. Red Lion Football alumnus and 2012 graduate Brooks Arnold received a great first impression of the new coachsaying he “demands respect” and is good for this group of players. For this season, Shay wants Red Lion to be known as a “tough football team, physically and mentally...and tough to beat.” With the ultimate goal of playoffs, Shay made it clear that this seemingly crushing loss is only one game of nine and more. Quarterback Blake Cahill, who has been nominated as YAIAA Week 1 Player of the Week, says they will “be ready for Manheim Township” next week. And to the fans of a community so involved with football, Shay says the team takes their role very seriously. “We’ll get better. We owe it to them.” Cumb. Valley 14 9 14 7 -- 44 Red Lion 0 7 0 7 -- 14 First Quarter CV -- Tyler Updegraff 34 run (Connor Long kick), 4:55 CV -- Tyler Heisey 20 run (Long kick), 0:00 Second Quarter RL --Chris Knorr 7 pass from Blake Cahill (Evan Miller kick), 9:45 CV -- Chris Galbraith 3 run (Long kick), 7:34 CV -- Safety, 4:15 Third Quarter CV -- Heisey 5 run (Long kick), 11:07 CV -- Heisey 2 run (Long kick), :31.3 Fourth Quarter RL -- Knorr 7 pass from Cahill (Miller kick), 10:25 CV -- Timothy Spinelli 4 run (Long kick), 7:20 Want more Red Lion Football? Follow the program on Twitter @RLFootball. By Whitney Johnson Staff Writer If you find yourself in D100’s right after school near the weight room you may hear the banging of weights and beeping of machines. However, on Tuesdays and Thursdays right after 3 p.m. you might also hear clapping and boys shouting. It’s the Red Lion football team getting pumped and ready for their workout “I think the bust out before workouts is necessary to keep their motivation high,” said strength and conditioning coach Ron Johnson.
Work ethic has been something Shay has been impressed with and said, “The young men who show up are there to work, and they get after it. There is little socializing or standing around.
From the moment they arrive, until the moment they leave, they are focused on doing what they need to do to get better.” As the school year is reaching a close, and summer practices will shortly begin, it is only a matter of time before the football team will be under the Friday night-lights again. After coming off a season with a 1-9 record, the biggest thing Shay is looking to enforce will be positive attitude. “I believe these players know they have tremendous potential, and so far, I have seen that they are willing to put their effort into making that potential a reality.” The boys will continue to gain power and strength before the next season under Shay’s and the other coordinators guidance. “It is too early for predictions,” Shay said, “but if the team continues to work hard, trust each other and become a ‘family’, I believe this upcoming season will be one that the students of Red Lion will be very proud of.”
In Friday’s afternoon meeting in the LGI, he spoke to a very receptive group of 50 football players. Eyes were glued and ears perked as incoming players were eager to learn about their new coach.
“There is no secret to success...my former team worked hard. Guess what we’ll do here. Work hard,” Shay said in his inaugural speech. He stressed that the team will have a fresh start and that the best 11 players from both sides of the ball will be put out onto the field. Defense was an expected talking point at Friday’s meeting after players learned of his previous defensive coaching position in Harrisburg. Shay mentioned his philosophy: being different defensively; incorporating man-to-man coverage in the game plan and blitzing constantly to force the opposing offense to make mistakes. “I want turnovers. Possessing the ball is how you win games.” Shay mentioned a new acronym to the team: F.A.M.I.LY: Forget About Me, I Love You. The room of fifty football players chuckled, but the new head coach remained firm in the fact that he cares a lot about his players. He went on to say that there aren’t many jobs he would have left, but there was a reason why he left the high-caliber school of McDevitt for the position offered at Red Lion. “I know talent. I came to Red Lion because there is so much ability and you guys are so close to being a great team. There are many tremendous returning players. There is no reason that a school like this can’t be mentioned in a breath with Cumberland Valley, Central Dauphin... win or lose,” said Shay to his new team. “Teams will leave us knowing they were a part of a football game.” The conclusion of the meeting left players such as junior Chris Knorr “very excited for the upcoming season”. Knorr expressed a clear approval with Shay’s credentials. He wasn’t the only one who seemed to look forward to the future. Many others including sophomore Dan Waldrup thought the meeting “went well”. “He seems like he’s a good coach who will get the job done. His words of encouragement motivated me. I’m excited for this season and to have the opportunity to work hard and bring Red Lion back to the top,” Waldrup said. Shay concluded the meeting with encouraging words. “I’m excited and I hope you are as well. We will do great things. You will be proud to wear Red Lion on your jersey and proud to walk on that field and off. We can win here.” Photo by Michael Connors After 9 seasons as head coach of the Red Lion football program, Conrad turned in his resignation in late January, leaving behind a 49-53 overall record. By Ben Otte Staff Writer Many know him as ‘Mr. Conrad’. Some know him as ‘Coach Conrad’. Following a 1-9 season and finishing as the lowest ranked team in Division I, Conrad knew it was not the type of season he, or anybody would have liked to experience. Just beginning the off-season program in hopes to prepare for new opportunities to be successful, Conrad turned in his resignation ending his nine-year career as head coach of the Red Lion football program. When asked about his coaching career at Red Lion, he says that he is very proud of what he has accomplished. “I wanted to pass on to players things that I have learned from great coaches that I had, that would benefit them.” The way the game of football unfolds and the core values that the game embodies and enables life lessons to be taught fairly easily, according to Conrad. “In reviewing my decision, I had to look at what I taught my players over the last 10 years. From handling adversity, to lessons in believing in yourself, I don’t regret what I have done as a head coach because the players are better now because of it.” Many former and current players can attest to learning many beneficial life lessons throughout the program. This was something Conrad had aimed for. “He taught me that when things get tough, to keep my head up and that all things will work out in the end.” Junior Josh Jones recalled. “I have learned so much from him and it is helping me be a better man for it.” Surely many memories remain. The highs: playing Cumberland Valley in 2010’s District Championship, or beating Central York in an emotional overtime the year before. The lows: the passing of former player Matt Barshinger in 2006. “There are many memories that stick out in the course of a career, but the biggest thing is probably the relationships with the players themselves. That is the most memorable.” However, the relationships do not come to an end. He continues saying, “The relationships I have built, I am committed to over the course of my entire lifetime...not until the ‘contract runs out.” As of right now, Conrad remains as the President of the York/Adams Football Coaches Association for the second year. He has additionally been selected in January to coach in the PA Scholastic Football Coaches Association’s Big 33 East/West All-Star game set to be played May fifth at Downingtown West High School. Head coaches for the
football program since 1986: ‘86-’88 - Jim Miller ‘89-’90 - Bill Morton ‘91-’96 - Lynn Reigle* ‘97 - Tom Silvanic** ‘98-’04 - George Shue ‘05-’12 - Patrick Conrad *Passed away post the ‘96 season ** Fired during middle of ‘97 season |
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