Penncrest Keeps Working on the Positives

The first-year head football coach is off to a rocky start, beginning the season 0-3 and the Lions have yet to score a point this season. But Coach Rick Stroup likes some of the things he sees.

Below the tough beginning is a young team that’s experienced its share of injuries and Stroup believes his young players will continue to mature. Stroup certainly has two sophomores that bear watching, Johnny George, a tight end and outside linebacker, and Joe Volchek, the Lions’ starting free safety and third wide receiver.

In Stroup started two sophomores and three juniors on the offensive line.

"We have a bunch of hard-working kids that are learning a new system and things like this take time," Stroup said. "Our first drive against Springfield was good, and we were down, 14-0, at halftime, still in the game. What I like is the attitude. The kids have a great attitude and haven’t given up. We’re working on being competitive. We’ve obviously been in games, and we are moving the ball. There are things we know we need to work on. One, obviously, is getting the ball into the end zone."

The which is coming off a 21-20 mild upset of defending Central League champion Ridley.