Lions open season with 21-14 heartbreaker

By Teri Normandin
POST-REGISTER

The Lockhart Lion varsity football team opened their season with a home game against the Class 3-A La Grange Leopards on Friday, Sept. 1, at Lion Stadium resulting in a disheartening loss, 21-14.
Lockhart Head Coach Les Goad used a strong running game against the Leopards” large defensive line. The Leopards” defensive lineme

n averaged a weight of 220 pounds compared to the Lions” offensive line averaging 165 pounds. Lockhart”s biggest offensive lineman tops off at 200 pounds; while two of the La Grange”s defensive linemen weigh in at 315 and 300 pounds.
“La Grange had real size on the offensive and defensive lines,” Goad said. “We are going to be oversized in our district, and we need to overcome that.”
“This is a big district. We”ll play the cards that are dealt to us. I look at it like a challenge, and I hope the boys step up and meet that challenge,” he added.
The Lions earned two rushing touchdowns during the first quarter against the Leopards. Crossing the goal line for the Lions were senior quarterback Alex Joseph and senior running back David Pozuc.
Leading Lockhart in rushing yards was senior Terrance Waldon with 100 yards on 17 carries. Junior Casey Butler followed closely by gaining 59 yards on 15 carries for the Lions. Lockhart gained 209 rushing yards and 13 passing yards during the game with 17 first downs.
Ending the first half the Lions were ahead 14-7; however, after the half-time break the Leopards returned with aggressive offensive strategy. La Grange added six points to the scoreboard in the third quarter and eight points in the fourth quarter giving them the 21-14 victory.
“We did pretty good for the first three quarters,” Goad said. “The guys were in good position to score and take control, but we made a couple of mistakes that cost us. Overall, I”m pleased with their effort. They gave 100 percent.”
The Lions will host the Class 3-A Gonzales Apaches for their next game on Friday, Sept. 8, at Lion Stadium. The Apaches lost their first game, 30-7, matched up against Rockdale.
terireed@post-register.com