By Mariah Taylor ‘26
Once forgotten and once dismissed; now feared and dependable, Conestoga Valley High School’s varsity football team has completed their second year of an undefeated football season. They were once the underdogs, but now with their defense strong and their offense blazing, they went off to playoffs with another undefeated regular season under their belt.
In 2009, the team was barely able to make it to the play-off season with their 7-5 record, and was unfortunately knocked out by West York Area, with an ending score of 35-34.
14 years later, there was a spark. In came new players, new strategies, and new beginnings. The 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 football seasons showed that the team was no longer the underdog of the county.
One of these new players was none other than running back, Jayden Johnson. During the very first season he played, Johnson had amazing statistics, with 26 touchdowns in total. He had 15 rushing touchdowns, 9 receiving touchdowns, and 2 return touchdowns.
Many other football players on the varsity team had amazing statistics throughout that year as well, which helped the team grow and defeat their opponents. They showed that they could do it. That they could be just as skilled as any high school varsity football team they went up against.
The 2023-2024 season ended after a loss to Cocalico, ending with a score of 42-10. This left the team’s final record with 9-3.
Unfortunately, the team lost Johnson’s skill after he graduated in 2025. Many thought that the team couldn’t replicate such victory again, but star football players, Sawyer Esbenshade, Konner Fisher and Teagan Ruble all came together on the field to form even more unity than what the team has had in previous years.
Fisher finished his regular season this year with a total of 7 receiving touchdowns as a wide receiver, and Ruble scored a total of 10 rushing touchdowns.
As the team’s stats grew stronger, so did their bond and confidence on the field. Now, they end their regular season perfect, with an 10-0 record, also gaining by week. This team’s journey proves that legacies aren’t lost, they’re rebuilt, one undefeated season at a time.