JEFFREY REINHART jreinhart@LNPnews.com
The first thing you notice about Rob Zimmerman is the beard.
“We call him Mountain Man,” Lampeter-Strasburg senior Blair Stevens said with a chuckle.
Zimmerman, the Pioneers’ punishing senior wingback and outside linebacker, hasn’t shaved since L-S topped Columbia 40-20 on Oct. 5. That was the week after the Pioneers’ last loss – a 26-24 setback to rival Lancaster Catholic.
That was seven weeks ago, so Zimmerman’s beard, as you can imagine, is getting scraggly.
“A couple of guys have a winning-streak beard going,” Zimmerman said, giving his beard a tug.
“We’re up to seven weeks in a row, so I haven’t shaved in a while. It just keeps going. (Senior linemen) Peter Baker and Nick Yingst are doing it too. And we’re trying to get our pretty boy quarterback (senior Brett Graeff) to do it, but he only lasts a couple of days and then he shaves.”
Zimmerman isn’t ready to get the shaving cream out just yet.
If L-S (10-2 overall) can get past Hershey (10-2) on Friday in a District 3 Triple-A semifinal game at 7 p.m. in Hersheypark Stadium, he can keep the shaving cream and razor in the medicine cabinet for an eighth week.
While senior running back Justin Taylor continues to pile up incredible numbers (1,320 rushing yards, 13.5 avg., 21 catches, 26 total touchdowns, 211 points) and the Pioneers’ defense continues to clamp down on all comers (217.2 yards a game), behind closed doors, Zimmerman – all 5-10, 177 pounds of him – has firmly established himself as the team’s catalyst.
He makes the Pioneers go. He leads by example. He shouts when shouting is called for. He throws his body around on both sides of the ball, on every play, each and every game.
“Rob is the heart and soul of our team,” L-S coach John Manion said. “He’s our leader. And he’s the best lead blocker I’ve ever had – and it’s odd when your best lead blocker is a wingback.”
Zimmerman, who would be a feature back for practically any other team in the L-L League, has 92 carries for 750 yards – 8.2 per carry – and 13 touchdowns while sharing the running chores with Taylor and fullback Joe Good.
And he’s the Pioneers’ fourth-leading tackler from his outside linebacker spot, so he spends a lot of time running through holes and plugging them.
Zimmerman loves taking out unsuspecting linebackers when Taylor or Good takes a handoff and looks for running room.
Who has the dirtiest uniform at the end of the night?
Usually Zimmerman.
He was caked in mud from head to toe on Tuesday evening, and that was practice.
“There’s nobody better,” Stevens said. “Rob is our leader. He does everything for our team. He throws his body around, and he inspires you by the way he plays.”
All-out. Every snap. Focused. Determined to pick up yards, or protect the quarterback or make a big stop. Doing whatever it takes on that play to help his team – even if it means taking on someone twice his size in the trenches.
“Rob is all about smash-mouth football,” said L-S senior Derek Lefever, who has earned a baseball scholarship to Division 1 Duquesne University.
“He keeps us focused. He’s our leader. He’s the head of the team, and he’s a great guy to follow. And what I really like is that he’s willing to sacrifice. A lot of times today, the good players are all about ‘me.’ They’re always looking out for themselves. Not Rob. He’d rather block a guy and open up a hole.”
That’s Zimmerman’s style. He’s old school. He’s a throwback. And the beard, which makes him look the part, is only adding to his legacy.
“I like to go out and play with everything I’ve got,” Zimmerman said. “I give it all my heart and all my energy and I don’t leave anything on the field. I leave it all out there and I have fun. I take a lot of pride in that.”
“Everyone has a role on this team,” Zimmerman continued, “whether it’s throwing the key block or making the big run. We don’t have any selfish guys on this team. We’re all willing to make that sacrifice. And I think that’s been a big key to our success.”
Zimmerman, who would like to play football in college at IUP, Lebanon Valley or Ursinus, has had a lot to do with the Pioneers’ success. L-S shared the Section 3 crown with Lancaster Catholic, and earned the first two postseason victories in the history of the program.
And the Pioneers are one win away from reaching the district championship.
“It’s been a great ride and we’re not ready for it to stop yet,” Zimmerman said. “We want to keep on going.”
Even if it means another week without a shave for Zimmerman and his winning-streak beard buddies.
