Lions topple Tigers in second half stunner

By LPR Staff

Editor/POST-REGISTER

There’s a new wild card in District 27-5A.

Despite projections by some experts for a lackluster season in 2014, the Lions continue to have surprises buried under their shoulder pads, this week in the manner of a 31-17 victory over the Floresville Tigers.

“The a-ha moment was a simple defensi

ve adjustment and a couple of explosive offensive plays right before the half,” Head Coach Brian Herman said. “That confidence and momentum allowed us to control the second half and ultimately the game.”

The Lions had so much control in the second half, in fact, that they held the Tigers scoreless, while stacking up 21 points to come from lagging behind 17-10 at the half, to pulling out the victory.

In what is becoming an all-too-standard course of events, the Tigers were able to score on the first drive of the game, taking an early 7-0 lead over the Lions. A later field goal increased that lead to 10-0, before Enrique Villegas was able to hit a 33-yard field goal to finally put the Lions on the board, 10-3, in the second quarter.

The Tigers answered back with their second touchdown of the night, gained on a call that infuriated Lion fans and coaches. After a fair catch on a 9-yard touchdown pass, a Tiger receiver who was physically located inside the end zone failed to bring the ball across the goal line, but was awarded the touchdown that put Floresville ahead 17-3.

Undaunted, the Lions pushed back with a steady 70-yard drive, capped with senior Kamron Selby’s first touchdown of the season on an 8-yard pass from Nick Sanchez, with only 29 seconds left in the half.

After the halftime break, the rest of the night belonged to the Lions.

The defensive line locked down on Floresville, keeping the Tigers out of the end zone for the whole of the second half.

Meanwhile, in a show of “complete football,” the offense turned up the heat, with Curtis Hawkins picking up two touchdowns on 33 carries over 188 yards, and Roland Hutchinson contributing six points to the final score on a 21-yard scramble up the side.

The win over Floresville puts the Lions at 5-1 (3-1) on the season, and presently tied with Alamo Heights for second place in the District, with Boerne-Champion leading at 6-0, (4-0). Herman said it is far too early in the season, with four games remaining in District play, to start thinking about standings.

“We are attacking [the next game] as we do each week, trying to game plan our strengths to their weaknesses.”

Unfortunately, Herman said, the Kerrville Tivy Antlers “don’t have many weaknesses.”

The Antlers come into the contest at 3-2, (2-1), with wins over Kennedy and Floresville, and a loss to Boerne-Champion.

“We once again must be extra sharp on Friday,” he said. “Home teams always seem to have an advantage, however the competition in this district is fierce.  If we focus on the play at hand and not the surroundings we give ourselves the best chance at success.”

The Lions set out on the long road to Kerrville on Friday afternoon, with a kickoff time scheduled at 7:30 p.m. For those who choose not to travel, the game will be broadcast live on KMAC Sports online at www.kmacsports.ezstream.com, and constant updates will be available from the Lockhart Post-Register via Facebook.