The game began in a steady rain and saw neither side able to do much offensively as the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie. The Indians drew first blood at the 11:01 mark of the second quarter following a 38 yard completion down the right sideline, Indian leading rusher Harmon took it in from 5 yards out giving the visitors a 7-0 lead. The Lions then went on an 11 play 52 yard drive that took 6:02 off the clock to tie the score when KeKe Johnson took it in from 6 yards out. The two heavyweights headed to the locker room all tied up at 7.
The second half began with Keith Wilson breaking off a nice kickoff return that set the Lions up on the Indian end of the field. The Lions were unable to get anything going and were forced to give the ball back to the Indians with game still tied at 7. The Lions defense had been playing tough all night and they stuffed the Indians offense once again forcing another punt. The Indians downed the punt inside the Lion 5 yard line backing the Lions up in their worse starting point of the night. A fumbled center exchange was recovered by the Indians, setting up a short Harmon run to give the Indians a seven point advantage. The Lions failed to convert on their goal to go opportunity to tie the game. They were forced to rely on the defense to give them one last chance.
The Indians then moved deep into Lion territory threatening to put the game away. The Lion defense force a fumble that was recovered by De De Rushing and Lions were still alive. The Lion offense was unable to move the ball out of the shadow of their own goal post and were forced to punt again. The ensuing punt was the beginning of the end for the Livingston Lions. The Lions did not have enough men on the field and with the punter Land signaling to the sideline the ball was snapped and Land was forced to run out of the back of the end zone giving the Indians a safety and a 16-7 lead.
The Lions were never able to recover from giving up the safety and the Indians added a couple of late meaningless scores to make final score 30-7. This football game was in no way indicative of the way these two teams slugged it out for three and half quarters.
The Livingston Lions are still very much alive in their quest to accomplish their ultimate goal of making the state playoffs. If the Lions are to make their fourth trip in six years to the playoffs it will likely require the Lions to win three of their next four.
The Lions will be on the road next Friday night to battle the LC-M Bears in what will be a must win for the Lions.
Clint Davis is the Livingston Lions Radio Color Commentator for Classic Hits 92.3
|
