Panthers Rip Lions, 37-12
Lovelady Falls to 0-3
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
NORMANGEE – The Lovelady Lions stayed on the road this past Friday night as they traveled to Normangee to do battle with the Panthers. Both teams came into the game with 0-2 records and each hoped to pick up their first victory, but in the end Normangee was simply too much for Lovelady to handle as the Lions fell by a final score of 37-12.
The game started with Normangee jumping out to an early 12-0 first quarter lead as Normangee QB Izaha Jones ran one in from 26 yards out to make the score 6-0.
After the two teams traded possessions, Jones was at it again. This time, however, he took to the air as he connected with Garrette Douga on a six yard TD pass to make the score 12-0. The kick was no good and brought the first quarter scoring to a close.
Following a three and out from the Lions, the Panthers marched down the field and into the Lovelady red zone. From there, Jones found Jacob Schmidt on a 19-yard scoring strike to push the Panthers lead out to 18-0 with 10 minutes left in the half.
The two teams slugged it out near mid-field for the next several minutes as neither the Lions or Panthers could generate any offense. Finally, near the two-minute mark, Jones broke free on a 45-yard touchdown gallop to make the score 24-0. The try for two was unsuccessful.
When the Lions held the Panthers out of the end zone on the try for two, it seemed to give them a boost on their next possession.
Lovelady moved smartly down the field and with under a minute left in the half, Seth Murray connected with a Lions’ receiver on a 23-yard TD to cut the Normangee lead to 24-6 at halftime.
The Lions opened the second half with possession of the ball but couldn’t go anywhere. Normangee took over but he Lions defense held them and forced a punt.
On their next possession, the Lions got right back in the game as Murray threw another TD pass, this time from 32 yards out to cut the lead to 24-12.
Unfortunately, that was as close as the Lions would get as the Panthers added two late TDs to close out Lovelady by a final score of 37-12.
The Lions return home next week to take on the Leon Cougars. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
