Red Lion Finds Success Over York Suburban in Home Opener

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Carter Weems | September 6, 2025

RED LION, PA – After two straight weeks of getting beaten by 30 points, the Lions were ready for their chance to change that, while York Suburban, coming off their first win of the season, were looking to keep their momentum. Led by their defensive stops in the second half, Red Lion came up with a 27-6 victory over York Suburban.

The first quarter saw both teams start off strong, with the lions able to get the first strike on offense. On their opening drive, Grayson Santoro ran it 24 yards for a Red Lion touchdown, putting them up 7-0 with 9:49 left in the first quarter.

The Trojans would answer on the next possession with the freshman duo of Austin Kehr completing a 15 yard pass to Harrison Dobbs for a Trojans touchdown. They tried for two, but failed, allowing Red Lion to keep the lead 7-6 with plenty of time left in the first quarter.

In an even battle from both sides, the first quarter ended with the Lions still up 7-6.

The second quarter saw much of the same from both teams. Red Lion’s offense was stopped on two separate 4th down situations within 20 yards of the goal line, while the Trojans were unable to make progress into Red Lion territory. Fueling the defensive stops from Red Lion was Octavius Thompson, who put pressure on quarterback Kehr and deflected 3 passes on one drive.

Red Lion went into the half up just 1 point, and the Trojans knew they needed to get more points on the board if they were going to be able to hold Red Lion.

Coming out of the half, it looked like neither team had made the right changes. The Trojans received the ball first and tried for a field goal, but failed. On the next drive, which started at the Lion’s own 20, they were able to wear down the Trojan defense and add some much-needed points to the board. That came from quarterback Mason Platts, who ran it 3 yards for a touchdown. The point after failed, making it 13-6 with 1:46 left in the third.

Then, disaster struck for the Trojans, as their kickoff returner bobbled the ball and allowed Red Lion to come up with it around the Trojan’s 20 yard line. Mason Platts was able to find a wide open Julian Cedrone 20 yards downfield for another Lions’s touchdown, and the extra point was good, putting them up 20-6 with 1:33 left in the third.

The Trojans tried, but failed, to make any more progress in the fourth, and with the loss of quarterback Mason Kehr to an injury, it didn’t look good for the Trojans. Both teams would be forced to punt, with Red Lion getting the ball back in Trojan territory with over 2 minutes remaining.

Then, with 2:30 left in the game, Octavius Thompson ran it 30 yards for another Lion’s touchdown, putting them up 27-6. The Trojans were forced to punt again, allowing the Lions to run out the clock, ending the game with a final score of 27-6.

The Lions improve to 1-2 and host Susquehannock in their homecoming game, while the Trojans fall to 1-2 and host division rival West York next Friday night.

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