Buckskins’ RB chats about snapping 16-game losing streak … and where CV’s program is headed now that coach Gerad Novak has resigned

You can listen to my entire ‘5 Questions’ interview with Kelley by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.

And continue reading here for the New Era Player of the Week story …

It was not the greatest season in the history of Conestoga Valley’s football program.

The Buckskins went 1-9 for the second year in a row.

They suffered through a 16-game losing streak that dated back to Week 3 of last year.

And just five days before their regular-season finale, their longtime head coach announced his resignation.

Good things tend to come to those who wait. And after waiting for 16 games, CV finally got something good — a win — last Friday, topping Ephrata 26-21 in a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 game.

Junior running back Kevin Kelley – in his third year as CV’s feature back – stood tall, rushing for 161 yards and scoring three touchdowns in the Bucks’ win which, if nothing else, put a better taste in everyone’s mouth around the program – and sent Gerad Novak out a winner.

Novak announced earlier last week that he was stepping down – after 14 seasons and a pair of section championships – following the Ephrata game.

And his team delivered, racing out to a 14-0 lead at the break. Kelley hauled in a 46-yard TD catch and Stefan Sensenig had a 35-yard TD catch – both from Adam Heiselman – in the first half for CV.

Kelley’s TD runs came after the break; a 17-yarder and then a back-breaking 10-yard run, both in the fourth quarter, when the Bucks fended off the hard-charging Mountaineers, who finished their season 0-10 overall.

His final run of the game put him over the 1,000-yard mark. Kelley finished his junior season with 1,030 yards – his first career 1,000-yard season. And because of an injury, he compiled those numbers in 8 ½ games.

For helping his team snap a two-year, 16-game losing streak, Kelley is this season’s final New Era Player of the Week.

“The win was huge for the kids,” Novak said. “It gave them some momentum going into next season. They won their last game, so they’re on a winning streak. That’s great for the kids. … Kevin came out in the second half and did some great things for us. He helped us move the ball down the field and get some points when we needed them.

“It was a great way to finish the season, and it helped give the team some momentum.”

Kelley took a couple of minutes to put a cap on his junior season while taking on the New Era’s 5 Questions …

TWO COOL THINGS FOR YOU FROM THE EPHRATA GAME: YOU WON, AND YOU WENT OVER 1,000 YARDS THIS SEASON. GOOD FEELING?

“I loved it. It was our last game of the season, and we were at someone else’s place and it was coach’s last game. And I was lucky to be able to break the 1,000-yard mark that night. And we won. So it was a fun night for me and especially for the whole team.”

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN COACH NOVAK TOLD THE TEAM HE WAS LEAVING?

“He let us know Monday in the health room where we watch films … we were all shocked. You never expect to hear that come out of his mouth. But he felt like it was time to go, and it was his decision. You hate to see him leave … now we’re waiting for our new coach to see how he’s going to run the team.”

COACH NOVAK IS YOUR LEGAL GUARDIAN. WHAT’S THAT RELATIONSHIP LIKE?

“He means a lot to me. He’s pretty much like my dad. I haven’t talked to my real dad for like nine or 10 years. All I know about him is that he lives somewhere in Delaware. So Coach Novak is pretty much like my dad; that’s what it boils down to. I respect him so much and he respects me, and he’s always there for me.”

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE HANGOUT SPOT?

“In my basement. It gets so dark down there and I love just chilling in the dark and watching TV. I just sit there in the dark – I turn out all the lights – and just watch TV.”

SO WHERE DOES CV FOOTBALL GO FROM HERE?

“I really can’t answer that question yet because I don’t know what coach we’ll have next year. But I am excited for next year. I wish next year was tomorrow. I can’t wait for next football season. … I don’t know what to expect, really. We’ll all have to adapt to the new coach, and I know I’m not afraid of that. It will be different. There will be change, and not everyone likes change. So we’ll have to see how it goes.”