If anyone thought the Lions would back down coming off a loss, with an unbeaten team that averages 50 points a game coming in, they just don’t know this Red Lion football team.
The Lions defense was spectacular, holding William Penn to only 20 points, all on long plays, and Zach Mentzer tossed three touchdown passes in Red Lion’s stunning come-from-behind 21-20 win over the Bearcats.
Trailing 20-7, Mentzer hit Randy Fizer for a touchdown that made it a one-score game. The Lions then recovered an onsides kick and marched down field, tying the game on another scoring strike from Mentzer to Fizer. Eli Workinger’s extra point was the go-ahead point that sparked a celebration at Horn Field.
Mentzer was masterful, and Fizer great, but the Lions defense made plays that no one has all season against the mighty Bearcats.
“There are plenty of times where we could say offense won a football game the last couple of years,” said coach Jesse Shay. “Our offense did enough to win, but the only way we had a chance to win was they were held almost 40 points below average.
“I don’t think you can overstate how well our defense played and how well our staff prepared for a game than it did against York High.”
It marked the second time this season that Red Lion came off a tough loss and knocked off an undefeated team. The first time was Central York and star quarterback Cade Pribula. On Friday, the Lions limited York running back Dajure Stewart to a season-low 149 yards.
“We took the exact same concept we did against Central,” said Shay. “You aren’t going to stop them. It’s foolish to think you will shut them down. Make them snap it again. If you give up the 60-yard run, fine stop them on the 5-yard-line. It was different than Central, but the same philosophy.”
After the loss at Northeastern, Shay mass texted his team to forget that game. They listened.
“They were very ready,” Shay said. “One thing about our kids and our staff. We don’t allow them to wallow about what could have been.”
Now 5-2 overall, Red Lion is in a five-way tie for first in Division I with a 3-1 league mark.
