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| Adam Belknap (10) tackles an Ozen running back. |
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Lions Win Nail Biter on Heroic Field Goal, LIVINGSTON, November 5, 2016 - While the Lions wont be playing in the post season, they played their last game and won in a dramatic fashion that left the team, coaches, and fans jumping in the air, hugging and reveling as if they had just won state. Yeah, it was that good. The Lions started strong when Quarterback Hunter Bland hit Receiver Christian Mitchell for a 58 yard catch and run touchdown, but the pesky Panthers wouldn't go away.
First Quarter...
10:52 Hunter Bland 58 yd pass to Christian Mitchell w pat Lions 7, Panthers 0
6:06 Panthers 36 yd td pass missed pat Lions 7, Panthers 6
0:13 Panthers 9 yd td run, missed pat Panthers 12, Lions 7
Second Quarter...
11:49 Bland 61 yd td pass to Mitchell w pat Lions 14, Panthers 12
8:07 Bland 15 yd td pass to Mitchell w 2 pt cnv Lions 22, Panthers 12
6:40 Bland 10 yd td pass to Cade Campbell w pat Lions 29, Panthers 12
5:51 Panthers 51 yd td pass w pat Lions 29, Panthers 19
0:58 Pathers 19 yd td run w pat Lions 29, Panthers 26
Third Quarter...
8:21 Panthers 61 yd td pass w pat Panthers 33, Lions 29
Fourth Quarter...
9:05 Brodie Smith 4 yd td run missed pat Lions 35, Panthers 33
5:28 Raul Hernandez 20 yd fg Lions 38, Panthers 33
2:34 Panthers 3 yd td run w 2 pt cnv Panthers 40, Lions 38
0:15 Fernandez 44 yd fg
FINAL SCORE: LIONS 41, PANTHERS 40
Okay, so as the scoring summary above points out, this was a see-saw game. When the Lions had the ball on the Ozen 27 yard line with 15 seconds on the clock, I was thinking that they should try to get one more play off to get closer for a field goal. I honestly thought that a 44 yard field goal WITH THE GAME ON THE LINE was a bridge too far. Coach Broussard opted for the field goal attempt. For the kicker, Junior Raul Fernandez, he's not a big guy. He looks like he might weigh 120 lbs. dripping wet. For him to go out there and nail that kick (with room to spare) was nothing short of impressive. It was ice cold and totally BAD A**.
Quarterbacks Hunter Bland and Cameron Merchant did a great job of leading the Lion Offense in a district where I still believe the Lions are a smaller school. Christian Mitchell (the Lions best offensive weapon) is a junior and it'll be exciting to watch his senior year unfold. Linebacker, Will Broussard will be back next year. Senior Defensive Lineman, Terry Carter had a great game. Senior Running Back, JD Green will be sorely missed.
This game was great for several reasons. For starters, the Lions ended the season on a good note. No, they won't be in the post season, but the memory of this game will live in the minds of these youngsters for the rest of their lives. For the seniors, it was just a phenomenal way to wrap up their playing days for the Lions. No matter where these kids go in life from here, they'll always be able to look back on this night. Whether they're in the Army training in freezing snow, or in their first year of college, they can think back on this night and smile.
Finally, I stand with Head Coach, Brian Broussard. No, the Lions didn't go to the playoffs, but Broussard has put together a football culture at Livingston that not only passes, but is able to defend the pass. He's put together an offensive system that's more complex and forces teams to respect the pass (which in turn opens up the running game and vice versa) and you can talk to Broussard without getting the feeling that he's about to blow up. I believe the Lions will be better next year. We're looking forward to covering them again.
Willie P. Openshaw, Editor
Seniors moving on:
Name Jersey Number
Jamal Barnes 1
Cameron Merchant 2
BJ Mottu 6
Tyler Connell 9
Adam Belknap 10
David Hendrix 14
JD Green 15
Ryan Morris 16
Aaron Stanley 22
Taylor Connell 23
Jared Hope 31
Cade Campbell 32
Hunter Bland 34
Brodie Smith 44
Cordell Gonzales 53
Ross Blackmon 60
Morgen Garcia 62
Kedar Gordon 66
Kolin Seward 67
Terry Carter 75
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