We’ll Take the Win
Beneath a waxing moon about two or three days from full, the Lafayette Lions took on the South Central Broncos last Saturday in a preseason battle. Both teams showed up in black jerseys, which is perhaps equivalent to a handful of women all wearing the same black cocktail dress at a party. On this night, however, the Lions would win the catfight: 20-18.
Offensively, the home team looked strongest at the beginning of each half. Quarterbacks Marshall Keith and Carl Buergler led their respective units down the field to touchdowns. Keith also tossed a touchdown pass to Jeremy Lawley as the clock expired in the first half, giving the home boys a 13-10 lead. But the special teams didn’t look fit for the Special Olympics. After the opening score, kicker Shawn Haley had to make a touchdown-saving tackle on his first kickoff of the year. One touched punt gave the ball back to the Broncos, and rust and rookie inexperience may have helped keep the game closer on the scoreboard than it was on the field.
In the fourth quarter, what looked to be a pass caught simultaneously by both a tight end and a defender ended up as a touchdown for the guys in black jerseys and white helmets (them, our lids are silver). After a two-point conversion, it was a two-point game. Still, the defense stood tough most of the game. A pair of key interceptions by Jon Emert and Jason Sowders twice turned back the Broncos, and linebacker Jeremy Jarrard ran sideline to sideline, dishing out pain while still bleeding from his own forehead and, at one point, smashing a couple of his own fingers. And for good measure, the defensive backfield duo of Woodard and Woodyard (Mike and Ashante) seemed to be hurting people whether they were making tackles, blocks, or returning kicks.
Though displeased by the sloppy performance, the coaching staff said they’ll take the win. With three weeks to prepare for the real season home opener against the Michiana Titans, watch for the Lions to lick their wounds, regroup, and come out with a better game face at the end of July. For ticket information and directions to a Saturday night good time, check out the Lions web site.
Nice try at blocking during kickoffs. Makes all the pain worth it, doesn’t it?
Comment by Eddie Rodgers — July 14, 2006 @ 7:46 pm
Dude, anyone can report the rapture of war or of sports, but you can report that of much greater. Especially for those of us greater than 40. . . tell it like it is.
Comment by Dave T — July 15, 2006 @ 3:59 am
A Postscript from Bill:
A few folks have asked about how yours truly performed in the game. My highlight may have been when I limped out water to the defensive unit before a late fourth and thirteen play. They were all so thirsty.
I did play in three kickoff returns, but by the time I got back to my blocking position in the wedge, most of the other team had flowed around me. I managed to throw an elbow in one guy’s direction, drawing some blood from my scab.
Comment by blogadmin — July 17, 2006 @ 2:33 pm
Relegated to water boy eh…what a team player, nice job chief!
Comment by Ed Rodgers — July 20, 2006 @ 4:41 pm