Lions Defense Breaks Records in Homecoming Win

The Lions put together a complete team effort for the 21-20 win!

The Lions defense broke two records on the day, one being the most takeaways in a game forcing 8 turnovers. The Lions intercepted 5 passes, and recovered three fumbles. Dakota King broke the record for most sacks in a game with 3.5 sacks. 

The Lions started out with great field position after a stellar return by Alex Wattley. The Lions got two first downs on the drive, and then Lewis Clark Valley forced their first turnover of game. The Lions quickly forced Lewis Clark to punt the ball, which set the Lions up with great field position. The Lions drove the ball down the field highlighted by a 26 yard pass from TJ Martinez to Dakota King, which set up the ensuing play. Landen Bradley scored the first touchdown of the game on a one yard run to put the Lions up 6-0. Landen Bradley also added a two-point conversion, which put the Lions up 8-0.

Lewis Clark looked as if they were going to answer gaining three first downs on consecutive plays, which put them on the Lions 9 yard line. The Lions forced two incompletions and Dakota King registered his first sack of the game, on 4th and goal, Eli Owen came up with the biggest play of the drive with a sack which gave the Lions the ball back on their own 30 yard line. The Lions got a jump-start on their next drive with a TJ Martinez pass to Jeremy Blanchette for 20 yards, which capped a 10 play 70 yard drive. Jimmy King finished the drive with a 5 yard touchdown run which put the Lions up 14-0, Nick Howser added the PAT putting them up 15-0. 

Lewis Clark answered on their next drive, then went down and scored on a 50 yard touchdown pass. The Loggers also added a 2 point conversion to make the score 15-8. The Lions next drive came to a premature halt due to another takeaway from the Loggers defense, which put them at the TBC 34.

The Lions defense buckled down and forced their first turnover of the game, Eli Christensen got pressure on the QB and got a hand on the ball, which allowed the all-American David Steeves to intercept the pass. The Lions sputtered on offense going 3 and out, Jimmy King started his punting day with a 33 yard punt with no return. On the very next play Eli Christensen forced a fumble of the Lewis Clark ball carrier and Zach Noffsinger jumped on the ball for the second take away of the game. The Lions looked to capitalize on the turnover getting a first down on the next play then penalties plagued the rest of the drive. The Lions came up about a yard short on their 4th down play. Lewis Clark was quick to take advantage of the Lions miscues, as helped by a pass interference call drove the ball 69 yards for the score. Brooks Ferguson blocked the PAT to preserve the lead at 15-14. 

The Lions again failed to muster any offense going three and out, Jimmy King boomed a 41 yard punt to flip the field in favor for the Lion defense. Landen Bradley picked off his first pass of the season. The Lions were stuck in neutral the next drive as a penalty and sack halted their drive. Jimmy King flipped the field on more time in the half as he continually put the Lions defense in great position. Lewis Clark got behind the sticks because of a false start penalty, which allowed Jamal Williams to take advantage of a bad pass for his first interception of the season. The Lions tried to add points right before the half with two big plays one by Alex Wattley and the other by Landen Bradley but the Lions could not overcome the clock as it struck zero as the Lions were driving.

The second half started with more of the same for the Lions defense, as on third and long Jamal Williams intercepted his second pass of the day. The Lions came out and got a first down to start the drive then stellar play by the Loggers halted the drive just as fast as it started. Jimmy King placed his punt right outside the Loggers 20 yard line, and then the Lions defense came out and made plays. Zach Noffsinger forced a clipping penalty, which forced the Loggers back to the their own 11. Dakota King then got his 2nd sack of the game. After a quick completion, Dakota King made added to his sack total with his 3rd of the game. The Loggers had a bad punt, which set the Lions up at the opponent's 27 yard line. Zach Noffsinger quickly added a touchdown which made the score 21-14. On the ensuing kickoff, Eli Owen forced a fumble that was recovered by Gary Everett. The Lions returned the favor on third and short fumbling the ball that the Loggers recovered. The Loggers looked if they were going to answer the as they drove to the TBC 13 yard line, when the defense came up with another huge play. Eli Owen forced another fumbled this time it was recovered by Eli Christensen and was returned to the TBC 36.

The Loggers soon picked off a pass by TJ Martinez and capitalized on the great field position. They added a touchdown, but Jamal Williams made the game deciding play as he blocked the PAT to keep the 21-20 lead in Trinity favor. Zach Noffsinger later forced the last turnover with an interception sealing the win for the Lions. 

The Lions outgained the Loggers 308 yards to 253 yards. TJ Martinez passed for over 100 yards completing 50% of his passes. Landen Bradley ran 17 times for 98 yards. 

David Steeves lead the defense with 14 tackles, followed by Zach Noffsinger also had 11. The Lions as a defense had 6 total sacks, 5 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries.

The Lions will play Robert Morris in Peoria, Illinois at 6:30 pm.

Tanner Twigg SID