Editors Note: When I type these reports, I'm only going by my memory. I don't have the stats, therefore there will be details left out, and there could be some errors. But hey...
It's Back to the Future, and the Future Looks Bright, BEAUMONT, November 14, 2010 - The Livingston Lions went into The Thomas Center in Beaumont and nearly upset the Dayton Broncos in a game that was one of the most exciting this editor has ever seen on any level. The sad part is that the Lions came up short in a game that someone had to win. The Broncos capitalized early in the game after intercepting a Livingston pass that set up a Dayton touchdown. A short time later, the Broncos missed a field goal. The Lions took over and handed off to Antonio White who sprinted downfield to set up Livingston's first touchdown by Devonte Mays. The defense stiffened up and held the Broncos again. The Lions once again marched downfield and came away with a field goal. By halftime the Lions were winning 10 - 7. The Broncos received the ball to start the second half and drove down for a touchdown taking a 14 to 10 lead. On the Lions next possession, Chevoski Collins made a huge run for a touchdown of over 60 yards and made the rest of the world look like slow motion as he traveled at warp speed and executed cuts that left Broncos standing flat footed eating dust. The big bad Broncos were getting pushed around and the Lions weren't backing down. The Broncos scored another touchdown to take a 21 - 17 lead over the Lions. Time was running out and the Lions had the ball late in the 4th quarter. Quarterback Chevoski Collins was cool under pressure and rose to the occasion as the Lions relied on what got them this far...the running game. Devonte Mays, Antonio White and Collins ran the ball well and worked the ball downfield. The Lions did occasionally pass with some effectiveness that helped keep the drive alive. The Lions were in the red zone and faced a 4th down and 16 with a little over a minute left on the clock. Collins took the snap and ran toward the Broncos side of the field. As defenders were closing in, Collins launched a pass to the endzone where Antonio White caught the pass putting the Lions up 24 to 21 (after the pat). The Lion side of the stadium went crazy, as did I. I was jumping into the air and speaking in other tongues....But in the back of my mind, I was worried about that minute plus that was looming on the horizon. Following a Lion squib kick that gives opponents favorable field position, the Broncos managed to work the ball down field. With 13 seconds on the clock, the Bronco quarterback dropped back and fired a fatal bullet into the heart of the Lion Defense (right down the middle of the field). The pass was caught, the receiver fell into the endzone for a touchdown and the Broncos took the lead by 4 points. The Lions got 8 seconds left on the clock out of the deal.
Editor's commentary: First of all, my congratulations to Head Coach Randy Rowe and the Livingston Lions. These guys were cocky and had a swagger about 'em. Coach Rowe seems to have the ability to get into the minds of this team and have them believing in themselves. Coach Rowe has turned the Lion program around and made the Lions a respectable team. I've lived in Polk County since 1991 and the only thing I can remember about the old Lions since I've lived here is that they were door mats. Since Rowe has taken over, the Lions usually at least make the playoffs. They've either won or shared District Championships on more than one occasion.
Room for improvement... I don't know why Coach Rowe seems to insist on squib kicks on every kick off. A squib kick insures the opposing team of possession on at least the 30 yard line or worse. In Saturday's playoff game, when we were clinging to a 3 point lead, we squib kicked. This gave the dangerous never say die Broncos decent field position with over a minute to operate. Secondly, (in my opinion) the Lions need to work more on passing. The running game that Rowe has implemented is super. Running is the most fundamental important offensive weapon, but had we advanced, we would've eventually met a team who would probably stopped the run.
Lions do pre-game warmups. The Thomas Center Stadium in Beaumont was first class in every way.
Definitely a team leader, Antonio White carries the LHS banner.
Defenders Blake Burman (12) and Michael Rudebusch team up on a quarterback sack. The sack halted a Dayton drive.
Burman takes a breather after the big stop.
Ken Rue dives to make a stop of Dayton's number 15. Number 15 was a pain for most of the evening for the Lions.
He was no Chevoski Collins, but the Dayton QB was not afraid to make tracks.
The Broncos had the Lion defense backed up against the Lion endzone.
The Lions played a very respectable game and number 10 Antonio White played a big part.
Ryan McClain leaps high to block a punt.
Dayton committed a flagrant face mask on Devonte Mays and was penalized 15 yards.
Devonte Mays put 6 points on the board and was given an attaboy by Head Coach Randy Rowe.
Kid Dynamite looks to break one.
Chevoski Collins guides his team downfield.
Collins can run...
Collins looks to throw...
Natrual abilities: Chevoski Collins is a constant threat.
Devon Barnes will run you over.
Coach Rowe rallies his men.
After a huge dazzling run for a TD, quarterback Chevoski Collins was pumped as was linebacker Blake Burman (12).
Let there be no doubt, Chevoski Collins is the future of the Livingston Lions and he's backed by an all star cast of Antonio White, Devon Barnes and Devonte Mays. The Livingston Lions will be back and will be better.
"The Dagger", the Dayton QB launched a bullet right into the heart of the Lion Defense, and into the hearts of Lions and their fans with a TD strike leaving 8 seconds on the clock and giving Dayton the win.
In the end, there was pain. But the Lions will be back, will be better, and will go far.
