It certainly hasn't happened often in recent years. But for the first time since 2015, Red Lion lost a YAIAA Division I game, 24-21 against Central York.
The Lions had a lead heading into the fourth quarter, but this is a very good Central team that wouldn't go away and ended Red Lion's division win streak at 21 games.
The Panthers pulled within 21-16 on a safety and won the game on a 50-yard pass, followed by a 7-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left in the game.
Red Lion dominated nearly the entire game, but fell to 7-1 on the season, 4-1 in the YAIAA. Lions coach Jesse Shay said the biggest lesson learned is "the need to play a full 48 minutes."
"The first three quarters and five minutes we were in control of the game," he said. "It's a lesson. At the same time, we will get better from this."
The coach really likes how his team has responded this week. Especially the seniors that help out the youth flag football players on Saturdays.
"The mood was fantastic at practice on Monday. On Friday night there were multiple kids with tears in their eyes because they care."
Next week, the Lions will host Spring Grove, followed by the annual Week No. 10 rivalry battle with Dallastown, this time in Wildcats' Stadium.
For now, the Lions find themselves in the unusual situation of rooting for Dallastown this week. A Wildcats win over Central, and if favored Red Lion defeats Spring Grove, there will be at least three or four-way tie for the lead in the division.
"We are going to be Dallastown's biggest fan this week, and William Penn's biggest fan the final week," said Shay. "I said at Media Day that I'd be surprised if the division-winning team didn't have a loss."
Shay added that having four teams of this caliber is a good thing and only makes the league better.
