Lions Pound Hapless Lumberton, LUMBERTON, October 20, 2012 - The Livingston Lions went into Raider country last night apparently on a mission kill, destroy, and break things. By time the final whistle blew, the devastation was complete, Lions 55, Raiders 14. This was a game where the Lions just do what they do, and it consistently worked. As a tradition, me and my highlight reel camera man will got to a restaurant after every game. We went to the Whataburger in Lumberton and player after player from Lumberton was coming in. I heard many things and none were good. "We just got our *** kicked"..."My head hurts"..."He lifted up my face mask and punched me"... Indeed, these players looked like they all had massive headaches. One was just leaning on the counter with his head in his arms. Another one lifted up his shirt to show a friend something on his back that was red and aching. Damion Collins, Marquise Thomas, Chevoski Collins, Kade "the Freak" Burman, Mr. Nasty, and the whole Lions team just went in and took the Raiders to the woodshed (apparently with a baseball bat).
Basic rundown...
First Quarter: Marquise Thomas draws first blood when he ran in for a touchdown
Second Quarter: Marquise Thomas again, TD run. Defense holds. Chevoski Collins runs in a TD on a quarterback keeper, Lions missed extra point. (Lions 20, Raiders 0). With 7:51 remaining in the half, Raiders score first TD. Lions 20, Raiders 7. 6:36 remaining in half, Marquise Thomas runs in another TD on a hand off. Lions convert 2 point conversion on a wild busted play (see play of the week), Lions 28 - Raiders 7. With 42 seconds remaining in the half, Raiders score a TD. Lions 28, Raiders 14.
Third Quarter: 9:01 remaining, Chevoski Collins runs in a long TD on a QB keeper. Lions 34, Raiders 14. Chevoski Collins picked off a Raider pass and got a decent return which set up ANOTHER Marquise Thomas TD run with 4:30 remaining in the quarter. Lions 41, Raiders 14.
Fourth Quarter: With 10:13 remaining Chevoski Collins runs in a TD on a QB keeper. Lions 48, Raiders 14. Defense once again added to the Lumberton misery when Kade Burman forced a fumble on a quarterback sack. The fumble was recovered by the Lions and set up a 9 yard TD run by Reggie Johnson with 5:59 remaining. At that point, Rowe called off the dogs and basically ran out the clock.
This was a game that the Lions were supposed to win, and, like businessmen on a business trip, the Lions went in, took care of business, and went home. The defense was great, the offense was great, the special teams did a fantastic job. On one punt, punter Kade Burman kicked the ball just right, combined with Lions hustle, downed the ball inside the Lumberton 1. On another play, Lumberton attempted a reverse and Mr. Nasty (DeOndre' Jackson) caught it in the Raider backfield. Nasty hit the ball carrier so hard that they both got their bell rung. The Whataburger in Lumberton should have had a red cross posted out front, it was more of a haven of counseling and recovery to aid the wounded last night.
As always, there were lots of unsung heroes in this game. But you can see it all on the Highlight Reel :)
Next week wont be such a cake walk as Beaumont Central will pay a visit to the Lion's Den. I believe Randy Rowe will have the Lions up for this game and you can come watch 'em take care of business right here in Livingston.
Willie P. Openshaw