Lower Moreland Football Ready To Rebound

By Connor Bresnan

November 5, 2010.

That is the date of the last victory for the Lower Moreland Lions, who on that day secured their third straight Bicentennial Athletic League title (B.A.L). 

Now another training camp is underway and the team is looking better than ever, and with a solid outing at the B.A.L Scrimmage Saturday August 25, the Lions look like they are ready to win.

After a disappointing 0-10 season last year, the players have been working hard in the off-season to change things. With only six seniors a season ago, many underclassmen had to step up. This season, those underclassmen that were thrown out on the Varsity field with little experience last year, are now ready to win. On both sides of the ball the Lions are stacked with skilled Varsity athletes.

Senior Captains Lance Gifford, Oscar Zhang, Jeremy Maiorana, and Michael Faust are expected to show up big on Offense and Defense this season and are starved for a win. The Captains have been with the team since freshman year, and experienced two B.A.L titles. Winning is a habit for them and last season is in the rear view mirror.

Some notable losses for the Lions include Diego Morales, Joseph Kehoe, and Robin Choi. All three players were a big chunk of the Lions production, both offensively and defensively. Diego and Joseph both combined for over 200 tackles last season and people may think finding players to eat up 200 tackles would be hard, but the Lions do not lack talent.

Juniors Ryan Killion and Joe Leventhal will be playing Inside Linebacker for the team this year and have already shown the coaches they can play at that position. Both players have at least a year of Varsity experience, and Joe has been playing Varsity since his freshman year. Diego Morales’ younger brother Anthony Morales will be playing Defensive End this year and also has a year of Varsity experience. Health wise, junior Tyler Hunn will be sidelined for the year due to injury. Junior Dylan Kanter will look to fill Tyler’s shoes this year offensively and defensively.

Offensively the Lions will look to score touchdowns on every drive. With three returning Offensive Lineman including Michael Faust (senior), Anthony Morales (junior), and Tyler McCaffery (junior), the Lions should have no problem moving the ball. In an interview Tyler McCaffery was asked what the Offensive Line did in the off-season to improve their game.

"We worked out all off-season and as a whole the o-line is a lot stronger and faster. We just got to keep working hard. We will create holes this year and we will score touchdowns by running the ball because that’s LM football.”
- Offensive lineman Tyler McCaffery

Coach Mark Mayson pushed the team throughout August and knows that the Lions will win once again. On Saturday, September 8 the Lions face off against George School at 1:30 p.m. Come out and show your support for the Lions. The 2012 season will be a great one.