LIONS STUFF JAGS, CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH
Clint Davis
Beaumont- Two second half highlight reel touchdown runs by quarterback Dustin Harris capped an improbable Lion comeback as they up ended the Central Jaguars 29-19.
After a scoreless first period the Lions moved into Jags territory and Quinton Jackson got the scoring started dashing 11 yards for the TD at 11:49 mark of the seocond quarter.
The defense stopped the Jags and the Lions moved deep into Jag territory before a fumbled pitch returned by the Jags to the Lion 34 yard line turned the momentum and Central scored 19 unanswered points taking a 12 point advantage into the locker room.
Coach Mitchell's Lion defense came out the second half determined to do their part and give the Lions a chance to comeback and do their part they did.
The offense stalled on their first two tries the second half but the defense led by among others Ricky Wagner,Buck Bland,Carlos Moreno,Blake Burman,and Brandon McGowan held the Jags in check and with things looking bleak Keaton Parker bolted almost untouched 50 yards for the score to pull the Lions within four with 2:47 left to play in the 3rd quarter.
After three hard fought quarters the Lions headed to the fourth period trailing but Dustin Harris and the offense went on a vintage Lion time consuming drive that was kept alive by several huge conversions by Brandon McGowan and Harris criss crossed the field for the final 20 yds to give the Lions the lead 4:52 to play in the contest.
With the game and a playoff spot in the balance the Lion defense needed one more stop to send the Lions home happy and with Moreno and Wagner applying big pressure the Jags found themselves in a fourth and nine situation needing to convert to keep their hopes alive the Jags running back was cut down by Josh Henderson on great first down saving tackle giving the ball and the game to the Lions.
With the Lions only needing a couple first downs to secure the victory Dustin Harris delivered an unreal scramble for the Lions final touchdown that covered 32 yards and with :52 seconds remaining the Lions led 29-19.
With congratulations being offered all around following the game one Lion coach commented that he wasn't sure if this group of young Lions really understood history and what they could accomplish next week by bringing home the first district championship in 55 years.
I'm quite sure that when the Lions come out of the tunnel next week in the jungle the size of the crowd will show them just how important history is and more that what it would mean to capture the 20-4A district title.
