While putting up 31 points against a Division I opponent is nice, the Lions defense was the difference in Friday's 31-14 win against York High.
Red Lion held the high-powered Bearcats to less than 200 yards, the same York team that had 500 yards of offense and 48 points against Cedar Cliff the week before. It was definitely the type of win the coaches, especially head coach Jesse Shay, love. The play up front was nothing short of sensational as the Lions improved to 4-0.
"At the end of the day, it’s high school PA football and I have always been a firm believer in the line is going to dictate how your season is going to go," said Shay. "The line is really the most crucial aspect and when you consider the group has only been together three games is incredible."
The key was containing the speedy Bearcats, as well as staying disciplined. Shay called it, "Doing their jobs."
"We did a great job of playing sound, fundamental play in the gaps defense," he said. "We did a great job of swarming their guys. If we missed a tackled we had plenty of guys there to make sure (York star RB Khalid) Dorsey and those guys didn’t break free.
"We’ve got to remember this is high school football and a game being played by mostly 15-to-18 year olds. They get caught up in the moment and it really is a credit to the kids for doing what the coaches ask them to do. It’s a mutual trust and when you have that trust, good things are happen."
The opening drive - capped by a Zach Throne run - was the key to the game.
"Especially against that team. We won the toss and we go 11 plays, 65-70 yards, took off six minutes and scored a TD. That was exactly as we talked about it during the week," Shay said. "(Lions offensive coordinator) Taylor Green and that staff do a great job.
"The longer you can keep (York) on defense … We need 7-8 play drives to score, they don’t. the less snaps they take, the better. It was a great team effort and special teams played really well."
