The Granger Lions defeated the Falls City Beavers 35-15 Friday night to advance to the Regional Championship round.
The Lions continued to run the ball effectively and it proved to be the right move as they continue their playoff journey.
The Lions were also able to get a little bit of payback by eliminating the Beavers Friday night. In 2020 and 2019 the Lions’ season was ended by the Beavers and Friday they return the favor.
Led by the rushing game the Lions relied on a player who has carried the torch a lot this season he delivered in a big way.
DJ McClelland returned to his normal 25 carries for 133 yards and four touchdowns after having a bit of a lighter load the past couple of weeks which was a welcome sight for Lions fans. McClelland still received help from his teammates in the running game as Nate Tucker carried the ball 10 times for 116 yards.
In addition to McClelland and Tucker Jayven Diaz had three carries for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively the Lions played well and held the Beavers’ offense to only 15 points. Michael Selucky led the way for the Lions’ defense with five tackles and three tackles for loss.
Selucky was not the only Lions defender to find themselves in the Beavers’ back field as Tucker McClelland and Tripp Wilkie secured a tackle for loss. The swarming Lions’ defense also extended their takeaway streak as Evan Hutka recovered another fumble for his team.
Hutka has recovered three fumbles in the last three games and is a big part of the Lions’ defense ability to stop offenses and take the ball away.
The win advances the Lions to the round of eight teams as the competition stiffens the Lions are focused on their next matchup. The Lions will be facing off against the undefeated Burton Panthers where the Lions will be looking to continue their revenge tour.
The Panthers, like the Beavers, have been responsible for ending the Lions season earlier than they want in recent years. In 2018 and 2021 the Panthers beat the Lions by 30 or more points and the Lions will be looking to flip the script.
The Lions and Panthers will meet at Bastrop Memorial Stadium on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. with an opportunity to advance to the State semi-finals on the line.
