Lions regroup after Boerne battle
By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER
A few shining moments were not enough for the Lions on Friday night as they took a brutal loss to the Boerne Champion Chargers on the low end of a 50-13 final score.
The powerhouse Chargers, who have only lost one game this season, hit hard and fast, scoring twice within the first quarter of play, and setti
ng themselves up at first-and-goal going into the second quarter, despite an interception by CJ McKinney breaking up their first scoring drive.
It was well into the second before DJ Ellison snagged an interception, putting the Lions into scoring position. McKinney found his way across the goal line, and a good kick from Jordon Johnson put the Lions on the board at the low end of a 22-7 score, going into the halftime break.
“[This game] was tough on everyone,” Head Coach Brian Herman said on Monday. “Nothing seemed to be clicking.”
Problems for the Lions continued through the second half, as the Chargers continued to rack up points and to keep the Lions out of the end zone.
Finally, with fewer than three minutes left in the game, Ellison broke away and scored on a 21-yard scamper for the end zone. An attempt at the two-point conversion was stopped short, and on their next possession, the Chargers took a knee and ended the struggle.
“The boys showed up Saturday morning hungry and eager to learn from their mistakes,” Herman said. “I believe they realize that there is no time to waste and that we have work to do. Practices are sharp and they seem to have put the past behind them and are focusing on getting better everyday.”
Despite the tough loss, the Lions are going into the second half of District play with their chances still alive for a playoff bid. For the last two weeks, District 27-4A has been full of surprises, and with four playoff spots on the line, anything could happen.
Last week, the Hays Rebels (5-2, [3-1]) toppled Clemens (6-1, [3-1]), Kerrville Tivy (3-4, [2-2]) picked off Alamo Heights (5-2, [3-1]) and Lehman (2-5, [1-3]) beat Seguin (3-4, [0-4]). As the season winds down, the Lions (3-4, [1-3]) still have to face Alamo Heights, Lehman and Tivy. This week, they take on the Mules of Alamo Heights, who are currently in a three-way tie to lead the District.
“Heights is much like Hays and Boerne Champion, solid in all areas,” Herman said. “They are explosive on offense, very active on defense and sharp in their kicking game. Lehman ran the ball 63 times for 308 yards and had the lead most of the game, so that is what we are focusing on. We are game planning for long, slow, scoring drives to limit their high-powered, fast-paced offenses opportunities.”
Meanwhile, the Mules may be looking for payback after having their three-game winning streak interrupted by the Antlers last week.
It will all play out at Lion Stadium, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night.
