A dominant first half leads the Granger Lions past the Somerville Yeguas with a final score of 60-13 in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
The Lions were led by an outstanding defensive effort and a strong rushing attack in the first half.
Granger’s defense smothered the Somerville offense forcing them to make bad throws down the field that could be intercepted. The Lions picked off three passes in the first half and added a fumble recovery to their defensive effort.
“We talked at the beginning of the season that we were going to be very good defensively,” Lions head coach Stephen Brosch said. “It is carrying us to the next level.”
Lions’ juniors Trae Herrera, Chase Edwards and Isaac Lizardo were all able to come away with an interception and swing momentum to the Lions sideline early.
The takeaways by the Lions defense led to short fields for the offense to work with, and they took full advantage. With the momentum from the takeaways, the Lions went to work setting up their rushing attack and were led by a familiar face.
Lions’ senior running back DJ McClelland led the Lions rushing attack scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter.
But the Lions coughed up a fumble of their own that Somerville recovered and moved down the field until they found the endzone to make the score 20-7.
Shortly after, Lizardo and Edwards joined McClelland as they picked up a rushing touchdown of their own. Not to be outdone, Lions quarterback Nate Tucker ran one in, and then shortly after found Jose Valverde on a short pass for a touchdown right before halftime.
Sitting with a comfortable 47-7 lead at halftime the Lions defense picked up right where they left off. Lions’ strong safety Evan Hutka recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown to make the score 54-7.
The Lions offense was able to find the end zone again in the third quarter, which allowed for the clock to run.
The large lead allowed the Lions to give some younger players experience and Brosch said it was awesome to see.
“These guys are a part of our program, they are along for the ride with us,” Brosch said. “To be able to bump them up in there and let then take some snaps was a pretty cool moment.”
Brosch said he was proud of his team after Friday’s win, but there is a bigger goal in sight.
“We know what we have to do to win, and our goal is to be at AT&T Stadium, and we’ll celebrate tonight but these guys know that tomorrow it’s time to lock back in,” Brosch said.
The Granger Lions playoff journey will continue next week as they continue their hunt for a State Championship.
