Red Lion loses heartbreaker to Manheim Township in emotional return home

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A sudden hush fell over Horn Field twice Friday night.

Once during a pregame moment of silence for Stone Hill and Nick Mankin – two Red Lion football players killed in a June car crash. And once when Manheim Township's Kade Kubicki scored the game-winning touchdown from six yards out with 39 seconds remaining, sealing a 22-15 defeat for the Lions in their emotional home opener.

The night was a roller coaster of emotions for the Red Lion fans, players and coaches. The Lions entered Horn Field carrying Hill's No. 46 and Mankin's No. 60 jerseys. Both teams wore stickers on their helmets in honor of Red Lion's fallen teammates and a Horn Field packed full of Red Lion fans donning Hill and Mankin jerseys held back tears as the Lions showed a five-minute tribute video on the scoreboard.

Members of the student section had Hill's and Mankin's names painted on their bodies and many in the crowd wore shirts emblazoned with the phrases, 'Forever in our hearts, forever a Lion."