Zach Throne threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as Red Lion built a quick two-touchdown lead and held on for a 35-14 win past Daniel Boone.
Zach Crossland got things started on the first possession with a 55-yard touchdown run. Moments later, the senior gave the Lions a 14-0 lead when we intercepted a pass and returned it 36 yards for the second score of the barely minutes old game.
Pleased to be off to another 2-0 start, coach Jesse Shay expressed some concern about the team’s offensive performance after the early lead in the home opener. Still, the coach knows the Lions O-line, which has two sophomores starting, will gel.
“I was very disappointed with the offense. We scored on opening series and the next series on the defense … 14 points in first few minutes then hit a lull,” he said.
The defense has exceeded expectations, despite having to break in so many new players. That side of the ball is also benefiting from playing time last season.
“They are at a better stage than I thought they could be,” Shay said. “Last year those same kids not only got varsity minutes, but played the JV game. Those kids played a lot of football. Practice is one thing but the best way to learn is in the game.”
What looks like a pair of easy victories to start the season is deceiving. Not only was Daniel Boone improved, but Wayneboro, who the Lions topped 35-7 opening night, defeated Lancaster Catholic 23-10 on Friday.
“Last year we went there and had a relatively easy game, but while we were there we did take notice that a lot of their kids were sophomore and juniors,” Shay said of Daniel Boone. “On the sideline, we noticed their coaches getting the younger players excited. Coming in we knew they were going to be a better team.”
On Waynesboro: “They looked like a much-improved team that made 5A playoffs last year, which is the hardest to make. I do think they are a nice ball club … The fact we were able to mercy rule a team that beat Lancaster Catholic is a feather in our cap.”
