BASTROP – The Granger Lions football season came to an end Friday night after falling to the Burton Panthers 27-7 at Bastrop Memorial Stadium.
“These hurts. If you're not standing in Jerry World holding a trophy up, then these are never fun,” Lions head coach Stephen Brosch said.
The Lions started the game on offense but after a punt and giving their defense an opportunity to get the momentum on their side earlier. They did just that and stopped the Panthers after a 14-play drive on fourth down with only a yard to go giving the ball back to the offense.
The Panthers used up all of the time on the first quarter with their drive and when the Lions got the ball back it was already the second quarter. The first play from scrimmage in the second quarter saw Lions quarterback Nate Tucker keep the ball and run for a 55-yard gain down to the Panthers 37-yard line.
With the endzone insight the Lions looked to get on the board first and really take control of the momentum to start the game. The ball is snapped then tossed to the running back but after a hard hit from a Panther defender the ball was loose and recovered by the Panthers.
The Panthers would take advantage of the turnover and march down the field for the opening score of the game. With the Lions back on offense, they looked to right the wrong of the fumble and tie the game.
But the Panthers' defense was able to force and recover another fumble, which they turned into seven more points for a 14-0 lead. With seven minutes left in the half, the Lions went back on offense hoping it was their turn to find the endzone.
As the Lions looked to make a play through the air and get some points on the scoreboard before the half ended. But the Panthers defense intercepted the pass and set up another touchdown to take a 20-0 lead.
Brosch said the self-inflicted wounds with turnovers and penalties killed them tonight.
With only 24 seconds left to play in the first half, the Panthers kicked the ball off looking to take the 20-0 lead into the break. But Lions senior running back DJ McClelland picked up the ball on the kickoff and found some open space.
McClelland ran the ball all the way back for the Lions first touchdown of the night to make the score 20-7 right before halftime.
Out of the break, the Lions and Panthers traded possessions until the Panthers added another score to bring the score the 27-7.
After the game, Brosch had great things to say about his squad and how they really laid down the foundation for something special within the program. He credited his seniors for doing most of that work.
“It is a special group, you don’t get the opportunity to coach a class like that often,” Brosch said. “You’re talking about kids that grew up walking the halls of Granger elementary and saying that they were going to do something special when they were on this football field together and they have. I can’t say enough about what they have done for Granger Lions football and the football senior class of ‘23 has a special place in my heart for sure.”
The Lions had a great season and Brosch is extremely proud of his group for what they did it may have ended too soon but the Lions will be back in the hunt and looking for redemption next season.
