JEFFREY REINHART jreinhart@LNPnews.com
The names, even now, are still fresh in your memory. Mine, anyway.
Preston Faith. Jordan Hallman. Nate Koach. Sean McMullen. Travis Leber. Andrew Weller.
How much fun was Elizabethtown’s football team last fall? Seriously.
The Bears captured everyone’s heart in and around E-town, and had one incredible run. If they weren’t the feel-good team in the league (at least during the regular season), I’m not sure who was.
I know I’ll never forget the win at Manheim Township. Down 10-0, E-town scored 20 unanswered points and shocked the Blue Streaks on their own turf. Leber made the big play that night, blocking a punt deep in Township territory to set up a touchdown.
I’ll never forget the win over Solanco. Don’t forget: Solanco rode into E-town that night with a chance to tie for the Section 2 lead, but the Bears, in front of an overflow crowd, had other ideas: 40-7.
I’ll never forget the four-touchdown, fourth-quarter spree over at Garden Spot, when E-town turned on the jets and flexed its muscles.
I’ll never forget the squeaker over Ephrata, in the rain. It looked like E-town’s undefeated run might end that night. Nada.
And I’m positive I’ll never forget E-town’s enormous win over Manheim Central before a packed house on a Monday night at Thompson Field. That win broke the Barons’ 20-year hex over E-town. Sorry, Central fans, but I’m going to type the score: 56-14, da Bears.
As terrific as that senior class was, there was a junior on the team last year that sort of flew a smidge under the radar – even though he led the team in tackles from his inside linebacker spot.
He won’t be a secret weapon this season, that’s for sure.
Say hello to Shane Rosenberry, E-town’s heat-seeking missile and tackling machine.
He’ll be one of just two returning defensive players for the Bears this season (yep, that’s it), and he should also get plenty of touches from his fullback spot.
It won’t be exactly the same in E-town this season. But Rosenberry is hoping the momentum from last year’s great run will carryover. It will if he has anything to do with it, that’s for sure.
In this audio Podcast interview, hear Shane put a capper on last season’s great run; about how the Bears plan on replacing (gulp) 21 seniors; about the bull’s-eye that will no doubt be on the Bears’ backs, after what they did in Section 2 last season; and about his college plans, which could include wrestling. If you didn’t know, Shane is also one of the top wrestlers that will return this winter in the L-L League.
To listen, please click on the ‘play’ button above.
And to burn a copy of this Podcast for use on your favorite mp3 player, please click here.
And stay tuned for more Podcasts … I hope you’re enjoying these suckers as much as I’ve enjoyed putting them together.
