Wounded Bull: Senior Devante Mayes is reportedly out for the season.
Lions Destroy Lumberton 49 - 7, LIVINGSTON, October 15, 2011 - The Lions regained their form Friday night when the Lumberton Raiders came to town. Like helpless lambs being led into the Lions Den, they were devoured by hungry, grouchy, Lions. Before I go any further, I'm going to have to start consulting with an advisor before I get ready to cover a Friday night game. Yesterday afternoon I went into my closet and picked out some jogging pants (hey, they're comfortable) and a t-shirt to wear to the game. I didn't realize (until it was too late) that my pants were blue and my shirt was red. In addition to Coach Randy Rowe, I was reminded by several friends and acquaintances that I was wearing Lumberton's colors, (it was an honest accident). Coach Rowe said he would get me a Lions Shirt (We'll see. My friend Kevin also said he would get me a Lions shirt and that's been forever ago). At any rate, the Lions gave a capacity homecoming crowd a show that left them happy and hopefully coming back for more. Early on in the game, DeOndre Jackson (Mr. Nasty) and Ken Rue waylaid a Lumberton ball carrier forcing a fumble that was recovered by Devon Barnes. The game pretty much downhill from there for Lumberton. Quarterback Chevoski Collins completed several passes and made me have some faith in the passing game again, including a 40 yard pass to Jacoby Landers who conveniently tacked on a 35 yard run to the end of the pass to put the Lions at first and goal inside Lumberton's 5 (see the highlight reel). Antonio White punched it in on the next play. The defense was solid for most of the evening, other than they let the Raiders slip through on a running play for a long gainer that setup Lumberton's only touchdown (that was in the second half).
Injuries are a part of the game. Sadly, I learned earlier in the day that the Lions' star running back, Devante "The Bull" Mayes is out for the season with torn ligaments in his foot (around his toes). I hated hearing this. This is Mayes' senior year and I just felt bad for the kid. I got to know Devante earlier this year and found him to be one of the more mature students I've ever been around, and I was impressed by his spirit of humility. I believe some other young people could learn some things from Devante. From what I understand, his career in football will go on as he's supposed to be a running back for SFA next year. I believe he'll do well. Coach Rowe's Lions fortunately have depth at running back and Marquise Thomas, Antonio White, Kyle Neal, and Damion Collins kept the chains moving. Marquise Thomas ran for a 55 yard touchdown and Antonio White ran for a 23 yard touchdown. The Lions put on a good show of how to sustain controlling drives and scored four touchdowns in the first half and three touchdowns in the second half. Getting back to the defense, the Lion defense has really stepped up their game this year. Their secondary is a lot more solid. Last year when we played Lumberton their passing game was killing us, this year, the Lion secondary has consistently performed exceptionally well as has the defensive line. It seemed like everytime I looked up last night the Raiders were in punt formation giving the ball back to the Lions who in turn kept turning those possessions into touchdowns. In the end it was Lions 49, Raiders 7.
Next week will be a Saturday game and will be on the road in Beaumont again as the Lions will visit Beaumont Ozen. Folks, I promise you wont be disappointed if you make this game. It's lots of fun and inexpensive. Bring the family out, eat at a nice restaurant, watch the Lions and enjoy a nice time in Beaumont. The game starts at 7:30 pm this Saturday night. Go Lions!
Willie Openshaw, Editor
No. 7 Ken Rue and Mr. Nasty set the tone early when they forced this fumble that the Lions recovered.
The forced fumble set up a huge pass play to a wide open Jacoby Landers to carried the ball to inside the Lumberton 5.
Landers made a B Line for the endzone and nearly got in.
Glen Bangs (85) and Damion Collins team up for a quraterback sack.
Wesley Potter registers a QB sack deep in Lumberton's territory.
Ken Rue dives for a QB sack.
Crunchtime: Brian Jackson makes a Lumberton ball carrier taste the grass.
The Lion defense was relentless and all over the place.
Running back Antonio White cuts back for extra yardage.
Damion Collins rips off a huge chunk of real estate.
Devon Barnes crosses the goal line for another Lion Touchdown.
Gerrod Hilliard (a senior) broadsides a Raider ball carrier.
The home crowd was a happy home crowd.
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