Solanco's Starting Quarterback Will Carry On Family Tradition

Chad Sensenig was Lampeter-Strasburg's quarterback when the Pioneers played their first game in their current stadium back in 1989.

When the 2025 football season opens on that field Friday, Aug. 22, Chad's son, Chase, will be the starting signal caller for Solanco when the Mules and Pioneers meet in the Milk Jug rivalry game.

"There will definitely be a lot of memories flooding back," Chad said. "It's going to be a tremendous feeling, just to watch your son out there competing on the same field where I did. I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be a great game."

Chase is carrying on a family tradition that started with his grandfather Jack Sensenig, a 1967 Solanco graduate. Jack was the QB on the first Mules football team to post a winning record when he helped the squad to a 6-4 season in 1965. He was the school's Athlete of the Year in 1967 and was inducted into the Solanco Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021.

Chad, a 1991 L-S grad, was the Pioneers' football field general in 1989 and 1990. He also excelled in baseball, going on to play at Millersville University and being honored as the 2023 Lampeter-Strasburg Distinguished Baseball Alumnus. Chad was enshrined into the Lampeter-Strasburg Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.

Chase stated that having his father and grandfather in their respective schools' halls of fame does not add any additional strain. "I don't feel like it adds pressure for me," said Chase, who is beginning his junior season. "I feel like it gives me a sense of pride to be out on the field and gives me another reason to play and another thing to look forward to as soon as I get onto the field, just carrying on the legacy that has been passed down to me."

When Chase started playing football at the lowest Midget level, it was natural that he lined up behind center. "I wanted to play quarterback," said Chase. "I felt like that was a position I liked the most. That was position I was comfortable in. It was a position that I was taught at a young age and all the way up, mentality wise, physicality wise, and just in every way possible."

Jack said the triple option offense Chase will operate is like the one he ran when he played but it's a different game now. "Chad and Chase are both better athletes than I was," Jack said. "We're talking different eras. They had different training. Chase is in the weight room all the time. We never had the weight room. I went from football to basketball to baseball. You can't play three sports anymore in this world."

Chase has not viewed video of his father playing but has read newspaper clippings. "I do see similarities in his athleticism, but Chase has some abilities that I did not have, and that has a lot to do with his vision of the field," Chad said. "That was noticeable when he played in Midget football. He understands the game, and he can see the field, and he can read the defense better than I ever could."

The Sensenigs do share one thing in common in addition to their last name. They all wore No. 14. "I had that number all the way through Solanco sports," Jack said. "Chad picked up on it and we passed it to Chase. He had no choice."

"I like wearing number No. 14," Chase said. "It's just another layer of passing down the tradition, playing quarterback, wearing the No. 14, going out there playing for my family, friends, and everybody around me."

Lampeter-Strasburg did not have a varsity football team when Jack was attending Solanco, and the Mules and Pioneers did not play while Chad was the L-S starter. Chad is still a Pioneers' fan when they're not facing Solanco. "I pay attention to L-S athletics, and they have a tremendous program up there," he said. "They do a terrific job. Obviously, now, I won't be rooting for them, but they're always in my heart somewhere as a graduate."

Solanco was 5-5 last year and returns a strong nucleus. "Definitely, there's a lot of high expectations," said Chase. "Everybody wants to win the first game. Everybody wants to compete. Everybody wants that district title; everyone wants to win states. Everybody wants all these things, but we all have to compete for it, and we all have to work hard and play as a team."

Chad added, "I had the privilege of coaching most of these young men (in Midget football). I've seen them come up through the ranks and have seen how they're coming together as a team and see how hard they've been working. This year there are high expectations for this team, and they know it, and they're coming together. I've always preached that hard work equals confidence equals success, and I really feel as though that could be true this year, but that remains to be seen, and when they get out on the field, we'll find out."

Chase was the reserve QB last season and did see varsity action, including one start at Cocalico. He threw for 97 yards and rushed for a TD in a loss at Conrad Weiser. Chase came on to replace injured Austin Jarabak and led the Mules to a 33-7 triumph over Manheim Central, passing for 60 yards and two TDs and rushing for 69 yards and a score. He threw for 137 yards against Cocalico and added a rushing TD.

Chase fractured his ankle during a Mules' baseball game this spring but recovered in time for fall practices. "It took a lot of mental toughness getting through the injury, physical therapy, getting back into the weight room and lifting like I used to before I broke it," he said.

Chase is keeping things simple as he prepares for the season. "I just like coming out here with all my teammates, just playing, having fun, and hoping to win the games," he said.

Jack became nostalgic as he stood in the bleachers in Solanco's football stadium recently, looking out over the same field he played on 60 years ago. He couldn't help but notice the changes that have taken place. "The visitor's side was where the home side is now," he said. "Of course, there were no lights, so we played every Saturday afternoon and always had that good old country air blowing."

On Aug. 22, he will watch his grandson lead his alma mater against his son's former team. The following week, Chase will make his home varsity starting debut when Solanco welcomes Octorara.

"I'll tell you what, I'll have probably more butterflies than he will," Jack said, his voice cracking with emotion. "It'll be something, something I'm really looking forward to. For him to be out there on that field and going out there under center, just keeping my fingers crossed and saying, 'Hey, get 'er done.' There will be a lot of butterflies."