The Teague Lions dominated the Fairfield Eagles in the regular season finale and claimed the runner up spot in District 8-3A Division I behind the Malakoff Tigers. The Fairfield Eagles also claimed a spot, finishing fourth behind the Groesbeck Goats.
The Lions needed to win to secure a postseason place. If the Fairfield Eagles had won, the Lions would have been eliminated and the Mexia Blackcats would have gotten in instead.
After the Eagles had to punt on their first possession, the Lions offense would take most of the time off the first quarter clock. Lion quarterback Zak Leija took off on a 34-yard run for a first down and Shamar Davis had a short run to convert on a fourth down. J’Kybryan Harris caught a 24-yard pass to put the Lions in a position to score. Inside the ten-yard line, Fairfield defensive lineman Dylon McGowan pressured and sacked Leija for a 15-yard loss.
The Eagles punted a second time, and the Lions were able to turn their second possession into points. Leija found Tylin Randle for a short pass and then took off on a long run, covering 66 yards down to the Fairfield two-yard line. Jaden Cole ran the final two yards for the touchdown for the early 6-0 lead when the conversion was no good.
Fairfield answered with an impressive drive and would take their only lead of the game. The Eagles converted a third down early in the drive and a 13-yard pass to McGowan put the Eagles inside the Teague 20. Shed ran in the final yard for the touchdown and Castillo added the point after for the 7-6 lead with just under three minutes remaining in the first half.
Teague scored in the final minute on a 46-yard drive, the final 24 on a pass connection from Leija to Davis and the Lions led 12-7 at the half.
The Lions would get the first possession of the second half and, again, only needed five plays to add to the lead. The offense moved past midfield and Leija went over the top of the Eagle defense, passing to Harris for the 47-yard touchdown and the 18-7 lead when the conversion failed for the third time.
Forcing a Fairfield punt, Teague needed their third drive of five plays, this time all on the ground. Leija used his blocking and raced through the Fairfield defense on a 68-yard touchdown run. Cole added the conversion run and the Lions were in control at 26-7.
The Eagles committed two fourth quarter turnovers that were turned into Teague points. Nick Barrentine stepped in front of an Eagle receiver and weaved his way to an 83-yard touchdown return and Ny’Land Coaster scooped up a fumble and returned it to midfield. Davis scored on an 11-yard run to extend the lead to 40-7.
Fairfield put their final points up on a Weatherall one yard run late in the game to set the final score and a 40-15 Teague Lion win.
Leija had a big night for the Lion offense with 168 yards rushing on 12 carries and a touchdown and completed nine of 13 passes for another 141 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Teague will move onto the postseason and will battle the West Trojans Friday night at Crusader Stadium at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Fairfield will take on District 7 champion Grandview Thursday night at Stuart B. Lumpkin Stadium at Waxahachie.
(Photos by Jessica Risken and Natalia V. Marsters)
