READING, Pa. – The Albright Lions football team closed out its 2021 spring exhibition schedule with a 20-14 win over Alvernia on Sunday afternoon at Shirk Stadium.
 
The contest was the only home game for the Lions this spring as they competed in a pair of exhibition games against Lebanon Valley and Alvernia.
 
Albright marched down the field on its opening possession of the game and capped it off with a one-yard touchdown from junior running back Tony Thorpe. The Lions had its extra point blocked to keep the score at 6-0. The Lions forced punts on the first two Alvernia possessions, and added to their lead early in the second quarter to take a 12-0 lead. Albright used a trick play from junior running back Malik Bootman, who threw the ball after off an initial pitch play, and found senior wide receiver Mike Jordan for the touchdown from 25 yards out. The Golden Wolves crossed into Albright territory on its ensuing possession, but stalled at the Lions 39-yard line and was forced to punt. However, the Golden Wolves picked off the Lions deep in their own territory on their next possession and returned the ball to Albright 15-yard line. Alvernia needed just two plays to get on the board and cut the Albright lead down to 12-7 with 5:30 remaining in the second quarter. Each team was unable to score on their respective final possessions of the first half to keep the score at 12-7 into halftime.
 
Alvernia began the second half with the ball and took advantage by scoring a touchdown off a 3:56 drive, taking their first lead of the game at 14-12. Albright went three-and-out on its first possession of the second half, and the Golden Wolves again marched deep into Lion territory as they looked to extend their lead. Alvernia made it to the Lions eight-yard line before fumbling the ball on first and goal. First-year defensive tackle Dorian LeBlanc scooped up the fumble and raced 74 yards to the Golden Wolves 18-yard line to set the Lions up with great field position. Albright junior quarterback Todd Shelley needed just one play to connect with classmate Kevin Zehner in the right corner of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown pass. The Lions extended their lead to 20-14 off a successful two-point conversion that resembled the famous "Philly Special" from the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 52. Bootman found Shelley in the end zone after receiving a pitch from Thorpe. Senior safety Armon Jefferson halted the next Golden Wolves drive after grabbing an interception at the Albright 44-yard line. Albright was unable to capitalize as the Golden Wolves once again drove into Lions territory. Alvernia made it as far as the Albright 22-yard line before attempting a 32-yard field goal that missed after bouncing off the crossbar, keeping the score at 20-14 with 14:20 left in the fourth quarter. The Golden Wolves forced another Lions punt, and once again drove deep into Albright territory. Alvernia made it to the Albright 16-yard line before the Lions defense stood tall again by forcing an incompletion on 4th down. However, Thorpe was stripped of the ball on the second play of the Lions next drive to set Alvernia up with great field position at the Albright 26-yard line with 5:42 left in regulation. Much like the previous Alvernia drives, the Lions defense held strong by forcing a failed fourth down conversion to get the ball back with 4:29 left in the fourth quarter. Behind six runs from Thorpe, the Lions were able to run the clock out and secure the victory.