Last Friday was another exciting installment of the Red Lion vs Dallastown rivalry, and the game didn't disappoint.
Unfortunately for the Lions, the Wildcats held on for a 40-27 win in front of more than 5,000 people at Dallastown.
"Anytime these two teams get together it’s a great high school football atmosphere. They were two deep along our side of the fence," Red Lion coach Jesse Shay said. "We are rivals that not only respect each other, but actually like each other. Not many can say that. It takes some getting used to."
The Wildcats were able to take advantage for four Red Lion turnovers and a the Lions inability to run the football - both of which happened for the first time all season during the contest.
"I am proud of the way our kids battled, just wish we wouldn’t have made it so easy for them," said Shay. "We had four turnovers. You are not going to win many games with four turnovers."
While the Lions struggled stopping Dallastown star running back Nysair Smith, who topped 200 yards on the ground with five touchdowns, Shay said it was a more than just facing a great running back.
"He’s a great running back, but that is the best offensive line in the league, hands down, no question," the coach said.
Still, with all the players lost to graduation from the 2016 Division I championship team, finishing the following regular season 8-2 is really, really good.
Up next is a District 3 Class 6A playoff battle at Wilson.
"You try not to worry about the symbol on the side of the helmet. Our biggest job is to get them to play our game," said Shay. "I think our offense can give teams problems because they don’t see it a lot. It’s going to be a really big challenge."
