Lions Score Early and Often in Senior Day Win

The Lions defense, for the third time in the last four games, forced more than 5 turnovers Saturday they forced 7 to lead the way for the victory!

The Lions offense nearly out-gained the Crusaders by 200 yards, as it was 240-54.

The Lions took advantage early in the game as they jumped out to a 27-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

To start the game, the Lions were put in good field position as they started on the Haywood side of the 50 at their 49-yard line due to a kick that went out of bounds. On the very first play TJ Martinez found Zach Marengo over the middle for a gain of 34 yards. The drive was capped off two plays later as Landen Bradley had a 7-yard rush that found the end zone. Nick Howser adds the PAT. The Lions and Crusaders then traded failed fourth down conversions. The Crusaders got across the 50 for the first time of the game until Eli Owen ripped the football loose from Jonathan Glass, which was recovered by the Lions. The Lions drive again stalled out on fourth down, the defense was up to the task again for the Lions. On 3rd and long for the Crusaders the All-American David Steeves chased down the Haywood QB Antonio Davis and had a strip sack, which Dakota King became the beneficiary as he scooped up the ball and brought it back 40 yards for the defensive TD! The very next drive Haywood looked to find a groove with a big gain on the first play which was follow up by a Zach Marengo sack. On 2nd and 18, Jamal Williams took advantage of a high arching pass as he went up and intercepted his team leading 3rd pass and he did not stop running until he was in the end zone to put the Lions up 20-0. The defense flexed their muscles again on the next drive with another forced fumble by David Steeves, which was recovered by fellow senior Colten Hoots! TJ Martinez soon found Jeremy Blanchette for 44 yards and a TD putting the Lions up 27-0!

To start the 2nd quarter Haywood was still looking to make a game of it and with the wind at their back they put together their best drive of the game. The Crusaders drove 60 yard for a TD, with the help of a 45-yard pass from Antonio Davis to Jaleen Nolan. Antonio Davis capped off the drive with a run for 15 yards. The Lions offense then made very short work and added another TD, highlighted by the 26 yard catch by Alex Wattley. The Lions went up 34-6. The Lions defense soon forced their 5th turnover of the half, which brought the clock down to no time left in the half.

On the opening kickoff of the second half Christian Fischer went down and forced a fumble which was jumped on by Jamal Williams to give the Lions great field position for their first drive of the half. It took the Lions 9 plays to travel 38 yards, which ended with a 3-yard plunge by David Steeves to put the score at 41-6, which is where it would stay for the rest of the game. The Lions defense would force one more turnover in the game to bring the total to 7 for the game.

The Lions had 10 first downs compared to Haywood's 5. The Lions passed for 184 yards to Haywoods 49, Lions ran for 56 yards compared to Haywoods 5 yards.

The Lions defense had their best game of the season giving up on 54 yards on the day; the Lions were led by David Steeves who had 8 tackles, 3TFLs, 2 FF, and a sack on the day. The Lions had 12 TFLs, which was a season high, 5 sacks and scored their 3rd defensive TD of the year!

The Lions head to Idaho, to play Lewis-Clark Valley College at 1p.m. Pacific Standard on October 20th.