Lions Lose in Overtime to LCM, LITTLE CYPRESS, August 30, 2010 - The Livingston Lions once again came out swinging and quickly pounced on the Little Cypress Mauriceville Bears with a powerful running game. The Lions jumped out to 7 to 0 lead in the first quarter. The Bears came back and that's about how it went for the entire evening. The Lions scored a total of 49 points. All touchdowns were scored with the Lion formidable running game. The usual cast of Quarterback Chevoski Collins in conjunction with Devon Barnes, Antonio White, and Devonte Mays along with the unsung heroes of the offensive line played a remarkable game. The defense, while it has a great pass rush featuring the one man wrecking crew called "The Train" performed well, however, the Lions' achilles heel that continues to haunt them was their secondary. LCM passed frequently and were able to go toe to toe with our running game, by exploiting our flawed secondary. The Bears also resorted to trickery opening he second half with a successful onside kick. The also attempted a flea flicker that nearly worked except their wide open receiver dropped a pass that hit him right in the hands. Another trick included a quick snap catching our defense off guard. They handed the ball off and headed downfield putting them in scoring position that resulted in a touchdown. Another trick was a quick kick that bounced off a nearby Lion making the ball a live ball that was recovered by the Bears. In spite of the Lions' mistakes and questionable play calling by Head Coach Randy Rowe, the Lions maintained a slight lead for most of the game. The Bears were allowed to hang around and keep it close enough to tie the game in the end and send it into overtime. The Bears scored one more time than the Lions in overtime giving them the victory. This game had many highs and many lows for Lion fans. Everytime the Lions would go up by two touchdowns, the Bears would pass and run with a balanced offensive attack that kept them close enough.
How were the Lions Out Coached? First of all, the Bears had a passing game that exploited our secondary and ultimately lead to our undoing. There was another time in the game when the Lions were inside the Bears' 10 yard line and were running very well with less than a minute left in the game and tied 42. In an odd call by the Lion head coach, they rushed a field goal attempt that resulted in a bad snap. The kick was never launched. Amazingly, the Lions maintained possession (we tried it on first down) and got a second shot and the field goal was blocked. Why didn't coach Rowe try to run it in? That's what was working. In overtime, the Lions once again were running very well and were inside the 15 when Coach Rowe called a pass play that was intercepted. What makes this play questionable, is everyone knows the Lions passing game leaves something to be desired, so why didn't they stick to the safe thing and go with the run? Quarterback Chevoski Collins, Antonio White, Devon Barnes, and Devonte Mays could have punched it in. This would have won the game, because our defense managed to keep the Bears from scoring on their possession in overtime.
Devonte Mays and his co-workers put up lots of yards on the ground.
Livingston Lion Head Coach Randy Rowe
Defensive Lineman Joey McCoy
Still Gunning: Chevoski Collins is a clear and present danger for opponents.
Devonte Mays goes over the top to give the Lions a touchdown lead over the Bears in the second quarter.
Michael Rudebusch enjoyed a great defensive game. Here, Rudebusch sacked the LCM quarterback.
Ryan McClain has a motor that never stops.
Antonio White tries to elude a tackler.
White leaves it all on the field in every game.
Chevoski Collins runs with an escort.
The Lions dodged a bullet when they were tricked on a flea flicker and a wide open receiver dropped the pass. Had he caught the pass, he would've been gone.
When the Lions pass, it's usually a low percentage pass (a bomb) to Antonio White...
Chevoski Collins scored in overtime on this run to keep the Lions alive.
An ill advised pass in overtime was intercepted. The Lions should have stayed with their bread and butter and tried to run it in.
LCM fans rush the field in jubilation after the Lions failed to answer a Bears overtime score.
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