Lions Beat Jasper 41 to 21 in Home Opener, LIVINGSTON, September 3, 2011 - Well, it's that time of year again for Friday night football. The Livingston Lions came out on top with a pronounced win over the Jasper Bulldogs 41 to 21. The home field bleachers were packed out as Head Coach Randy Rowe and the Lions were ready to play and win, and indeed they did. In the opening drive, the lions put together a smash mouth successful scoring drive. #10 Antonio White started it off with a 20 yard run close to midfield, followed by a 40+ yard run by #14 Chevoski Collins, and the drive was capped off by a 14 yard Touchdown run also by Collins. Later in the first half Collins completed a 77 yard play-action touchdown pass to #15 Cassity Land. Shortly before halftime #4 Bryant McClendon stopped a Bulldog drive with a interception and returned it about 30 yards giving the Lion offense a short distance to the end zone, the Lions pounced on the moment as Collins ran it right then pitched the ball out to Antonio White on the right also for a 7 yard touchdown run. The following Bulldog offensive drive was stopped by another interception this time by Collins for a return of a short distance wrapping up the 1st half with the Lions leading 21 to 14.
The Lions came out in the second half stuffing the Bulldog offense when McClendon picked it off for a 2nd time (3 INT total for the Lions). Later, #1 Damien Collins had a 30+ yard run, and #24 Devonte Mays had plenty of carries throughout the whole game that would literally drag the Bulldog defense. The Lions would go on to score three more touchdowns in the second half consisting of a 5 Yard TD run by Chevoski Collins, a huge 38 yard play-action pass to Land in the end zone, and a Devonte "Bull" Mays 27 yard TD run up the middle. The Bulldogs could only get one more last minute touchdown too little too late making the final score 41 to 21.
Livingston Lions Head Coach Randy Rowe prepares his team for the home opener in "The Jungle".
What I Take Away From This Game... The Lions showed up and played a full 48 minutes of football with lots of heart and passion. Yes, there were some mistakes, penalties, and other things that should not have happened, but honestly it's hard to say much after just the first game of the season. The Lions showed good consistency on the defensive side of the ball, and the offense looked solid as ever. No team is perfect, you'll always see things you don't like, what we can all agree on is that a win is a win and that's all it comes down to. I'm looking forward to the games to come and seeing what I believe is going to be one of the best seasons for this team.
- Willie A. Openshaw, Assistant Editor
#14 Chevoski Collins had a great game with two touchdown runs and two touchdown passes.
#97 Jaime Aguilar was 5 for 6 on PATs for the night.
#4 Bryant McClendon Making a tackle (also 2 INT on the night for McClendon).
#15 Cassity Land on Defense (Land had 2 TD receptions on the night).
#14 Chevoski Collins.
#24 Devonte Mays was a tank for the Lions literally dragging defenders with him on every carry.
The Refs called Mays down inside the 1 yard line, Chevoski Collins punched it in next play.
Mays breaks for a 27 yard TD in the final minute of the game putting it away with a 41 to 21 victory.
Head Coach Randy Rowe talks to his team after a victory over the Jasper Bulldogs.
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