Red Lion wins third-down battle, dominates Central York

Third down conversions are always a point of emphasis for football teams.

On Friday night, Red Lion was efficient on both sides of the ball on that crucial down and the home team's proficiency led to a 42-7 victory over Central York.

"The idea that we need to keep drives alive and sustain drives and also on defense that you better get off the field," Red Lion head coach Jesse Shay said. "Both offense and defense did a nice job with third downs."

Red Lion (5-3, 3-2 Division I) was nine of 12 on third downs on offense and scored two touchdowns — their first and last offensive scores of the contest — on third down.

Dalton Grove scored the Lion's first offensive touchdown of the game on a third-and-1. The senior quarterback ran six yards for the score to put the home team ahead 14-0 in the second quarter.

Backup quarterback Sam Emig closed the Lions' scoring with a 30-yard touchdown run on a third-and-6 play in the fourth quarter.

The defense also was effective getting off the field on third downs and it started early.

Kendrick Boyd-Gillespie picked off Central York quarterback Nik Strine and returned the ball 35 yards for a Red Lion touchdown on the third play of the game.

"It's what all teams try to obtain," Shay said of the complete team effort. "You're pleased as a coach when you see that happen."

Grove picked up two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter to push the home team's lead to 21-0 at halftime. His second score came from a yard out with 20 seconds left in the first half.

Shay credited Grove for the team's recent offensive outburst. Last week the Lions scored 61 points in a win over New Oxford.

"Our quarterback is doing a fantastic job of running this offense," Shay said. "There's just something. He just runs the offense completely."

Grove accounted for 71 yards on the ground and threw for 73 yards.

Alex Keough ran for 93 yards on 20 carries for Red Lion.

Central (2-6, 1-4) scored with just 28 seconds to play when Cade Pribula found Eddie Santiago for a late touchdown pass.

Central York0007—7Red Lion714147— 42

First Quarter

RL— Kendrick Boyd-Gillespie 35 interception return (Sam Emig kick), 10:35.

Second Quarter

RL — Dalton Grove 6 run (Emig kick), 6:11.

RL — Grove 1 run (Emig kick), 0:20.

Third Quarter

RL — Alex Keough 9 run (Emig kick), 9:23.

RL — Rodney Scott 1 run (Emig kick), 2:37.

Fourth Quarter

RL — Emig 30 run (Emig kick), 4:28.

CY — Eddie Santiago 20 pass from Cade Pribula (Carter Luckenbaugh kick), 0:28

CYRL First downs716Rushes-yards21-5841-245 Passing5-14-18-12-0 Passing yards8073Total yards138318Punts3-18.32-31.5 Fumbles-lost2-22-1 Penalties-yards4-206-65

Individual statistics

Rushing — CY, Shyheim Goff 7-15, Nik Strine 1-(-11), Elzir Stroman 5-20, Noreaga Goff 4-32, Sandy Paulino 1-0, Chris Collins 1-9, Justin Panteo 2-(-7). RL, Alex Keough 20-93, Dalton Grove 8-71, Patrick Daugherty 1-3, Rodney Scott 8-38, Sam Emig 2-36, Jamel Foster 1-(-3), Jones 1-7.

Passing — CY, Strine 3-9-1-40, Cade Pribula 2-5-0-40. RL, Grove 8-12-0-73.

Receiving — CY, Brandon Falkenstein 1-9, Corbin Chevaux 1-11, Shawn Johnston 1-20, Collins 1-20, Eddie Santiago, 1-20. RL, Dillon Hildebrand 2-12, Kendrick Boyd-Gillespie 1-14, Cole Snyder 2-19, James Jackson 1-20, Brooks Argento 2-8.