YSU football player who made "the catch" talks to 21 News
The YSU Penguins will play for a National championship in January. Saturday's semi final game was one for the record books.
The last play in particular got them to the finals and gained national attention when it hit ESPN's Sportscenter's Top Ten List.
With only 6 seconds left in the game, quarterback Hunter Wells threw in the end zone to tight end Kevin Rader who caught the ball on the back of the defender and maintained control as both went to the ground.
21 News spoke to Kevin and his family Monday afternoon.
"That's everyone's dream right? in pee wee football growing up you always want to be on Sportscenter but I never thought it would be me one day," said Kevin sitting near his parents at their Gibsonia, PA home.
He knew it was going to be the last play of the game. They had practiced it over and over. The play was called the Y Python. And even though it wasn't coming together on the field as planned...turns out it worked anyway.
"I didn't think I was getting the ball originally. I looked back in the last second and the ball was already in the air. I was focused on keeping the ball. All I had was my right arm I reached out and I grabbed the ball there's nothing more to it. I couldn't do it again if I tried probably. It was a moment thing and I had to make a play for my team. I caught the ball and I had to come down with it. Everybody was grabbing at it. I knew if they stripped it they'd overturn the call," said Kevin.
Kevin's parents said they were watching the game on the edge of their seats until that play. Then, they went crazy.
"I jumped off my couch and we were screaming and hugging. It was just a wonderful feeling that, #1 YSU won and we are going to Frisco. That was the most important thing!, according to Janet Rader.
His father, Eric, said, "It's a real excitement. I haven't come down off that cloud yet as far as how proud we are of him. I'm so proud of his work ethic and how hard he has worked to this point."
Now Kevin's mind is concentrating on the championship game in Texas. That game his parent won't miss. They already have tickets. And no matter what the outcome of that game is, they know their son and his team are all champions, no matter what.
