Lions Put on First Rate Performance for Home Crowd, LIVINGSTON, September 4, 2016 - The Livingston Lions played host to the Caney Creek Panthers on Friday Night in the Lion's Den. After a terrible loss the week prior, the Lions needed a win for a mental boost. In steps the Panthers, just what the doctor ordered. The team effort by the Lions combined with a balanced offensive attack orchestrated by Head Coach Brian Broussard and his coaching staff added up to a convincing 51 to 22 Lion victory. No, the Lions weren't perfect as they did turn the ball over a couple of times, and allowed a few Panther TDs, but, that's high school football. Running backs Hunter Bland (34) and Christian Mitchell (17) gave the Panthers fits all night. Mitchell proved to be quite lethal as a receiver with the speed to make huge gains after catching the ball. By the end of the night, Mitchell would have racked up five touchdowns, while Bland would have two.
The defense also played well and pressured the Panther quarterback all night. I don't have the stats but I counted at least 3 turnovers forced by the Lions on the evening.
SCORING SUMMARY:
First Quarter
7:23 - Hunter Bland runs in 2 yard TD run, the runs in 2 point conversion. Lions winning 7/0
3:30 - Bland throws pass to Mitchell for a 55 yard TD. Missed pat. Lions 14/0
0:09 - Bland runs in 36 yard TD, with pat. Lions 21/0
Second Quarter
11:00 Caney Creek 75 yard TD pass with pat. Lions 21/7
10:38 Quarterback Cameron Merchant throw 61 yd TD pass to Mitchell, missed pat. Lions 27/7
Third Quarter
8:22 Bad snap in Lion punting situation. Ball rolls out of endzone for safety. Lions 27/9
4:27 Panthers 2 yard TD run, fumbled extra point attempt, BJ Mottu scooped up the fumble and took it the distance for a 2 point score Lions 29/15
3:26 Merchant 69 yard TD pass to Mitchell, Bland runs in 2 point conversion. Lions 37/15
0.42 Mitchell takes handoff, reverses field and runs for a 51 yard TD, with pat. Lions 43/15
0.25 Panthers 65 yard TD pass with pat. Lions 43/22
Fourth Quarter
2:33 Mitchell catches 55 yard TD pass from Merchant, Bland runs in 2 point conversion.
FINAL SCORE: Lions 51, Panthers 22
There's lots of names that I'm not mentioning for the Lions simply because I'm still trying to get to know them. But the team effort was outstanding. One of the refreshing things to see in Head Coach Broussard's game plan is a balanced attack. A nice blend of passing and running. In the previous regime, about the only thing you could count on was running and defenses would pick up on it. Our apologies to senior, BJ Mottu for accidentally not catching his fumble and scoop up for a score on camera (that was a special teams play that was highlight reel worthy). Next week promises to be more challenging as the Lions will be traveling to Nederland to face the Bulldogs. HUGE GIANT MASSIVE THANK YOU TO OUR HIGHLIGHT REEL ARTIST, WILLIE A. OPENSHAW. The Willster is responsible for bringing, for the first time, highlight reels publicly available to Polk County.
Go Lions!
Willie P. Openshaw, Editor