Lions Regain Their Swagger in Drubbing of Beaumont Ozen, LIVINGSTON, October 23, 2010 - After last week's defeat of their own devices, the Livingston Lions regained their mojo Friday night in the Jungle when they faced a new and improved Beaumont Ozen who features one of the area's top quarterbacks. The Lion defense, particularly their secondary, wasn't perfect, but showed the moxie to rise to the occasion and stop their pass happy quarterback when they had to. Ozen kept the game close by the end of the first half, but the Lions ran away with it (literally) in the second half as the Lion faithful was treated to a decisive victory that didn't come down to the last minute. In the 4th quarter, Running Back Antonio White was the final nail in the Ozen coffin when he went through the Ozen defense like a hot knife through butter with two long runs for touchdowns, a 60 yarder and a 90 yarder (see # 10 on the highlight reel). Earlier in the game, White ripped off a 30 yard TD run. The running game also featured the usual combination of Devon Barnes (# 28) and Devonte Mays (# 24) who along with White and Quarterback Chevoski Collins kept the Lion offense moving the chains throughout the game. Barnes was particularly a thorn in the side of Ozen as he was equally impressive on defense. The Ozen quarterback was relentlessly harassed throughout the evening by Barnes and pass rusher extraordinaire, Ryan McClain. The Lion passing game remains a work in progress, but the most fundamental important thing for any offense in football is to have a running game. The Lions have it. Once again they pounded the rock (and first downs came gushing out). In an act of desperation, Ozen opted to try an onside kick late in the 4th quarter that blew up in their face as Chris Rue (# 80) easily fielded the short kick and then returned it 30 yards giving the lions excellent field position. A few plays later, Devonte Mays rumbled into the end zone from about 20 yards out. Special teams was good other than we were tricked again on a fake punt when Ozen ran it for a first down after our defense did its job of holding Ozen. It was a fake punt that ultimately cost the Lions a win a few weeks ago when they played the still unbeaten Beaumont Central in the Jungle. I don't have the stats, but I counted at least 2 fumbles that were forced by the Lion defense and successfully recovered by the Lions. The final score was Lions 42, Panthers 23.
The Lions are now 3 and 2 in district play, and if they keep playing like they did last night, we should be happily watching them in the playoffs. Next up is Little Cypress Mauriceville in LCM. The Lions will return to the same field where last year they suffered a Houston Oileresque collapse in the second half of a game that they were running away with...But I'm not going to bring that up. Come on out and support the Lions at LCM. If you're not sure you want to go, then watch THIS VIDEO.
Willie Openshaw
Antonio White was the man of the game, as he ran early, often, and far. Here, White makes a b-line...
...straight for the endzone (30 yard TD).
White heads for the end zone on a 90 yard touchdown run.
Big and bad, Dakarian Wyatt escorts Devon Barnes down field.
Head Coach Randy Rowe might not agree with what he hears from the ref.
Kyle Neal carries the ball for a nice gain.
Ryan McClain (84), Ken Rue (7), and Cassity Land (15) close in on the Ozen quarterback.
Antonio White takes a well deserved rest.
Head Coach Randy Rowe talks to his troops and helps keep everything in proper perspective at the conclusion of the game.
If you would like to comment on this story, we'd love to hear from you. Your name will be listed with your comment when it's posted in the Letters to the editor.
