The Teague Lions special teams and defense held off the Groesbeck Goats and rose to second place in district play with a 21-17 win in Groesbeck Friday night.
The game was riddled with penalties and the rhythm was off for both teams throughout the first half, but the Lions put together drives late in the first half and midway through the second half to secure the district win.
After the Groesbeck offense settled for a field goal after a Teague defensive stop, the Lions special teams showed their ability to rise to the occasion. Kick returner Caden Gonzales took the kick on the opposite side of the return blocking setup and followed them over to the far sideline and raced 81 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the first quarter. The conversion was no good and the Lions had a 6-3 that would last through the first quarter.
The Goats, battling through a barrage of injuries, managed to get down the field and take the lead on the back and legs of workhorse running back Chris Cox. After a long pass downfield to Valentine, Cox took the handoff and rumbled upfield, through the Lion defense for the 20-yard touchdown and the lead in the game. The point after was good and the Goats had a 10-3 lead.
Teague put their offense in gear and marched downfield. Sophomore quarterback Zak Leija used his legs in this contest, ripping off some big runs on the night and his timely and accurate passing put the Lions back on top heading into the halftime break. Late in the second quarter, Shamar Davis took the handoff for the touchdown and the Lions took the lead following the successful two-point conversion. The Lions led 14-10 at the half.
In the opening drive of the second half, the Goats found paydirt on a touchdown pass that covered 44 yards and the point after would give the Goats a 17-14 lead.
The lead would stand until the midway point of the final quarter. The running of Davis and Leija, the Lions moved into scoring position.
Leija dropped to pass and found Jehmel Rice for the 23-yard score and the lead, the final lead the Lions would need on the night. The point after sailed through the uprights and the Lions led 21-17 with seven minutes remaining in the contest.
Teague had their defense rise to the occasion and hold off a late rally by the Groesbeck offense. The Goats went from their 30 to inside the Teague 30 in the final minute but Tylin Randle reached up and broke up a pass with an interception and the final play was delivered by the Teague offense.
The Teague Lions (4-4, 3-1) move into sole possession of second place in District 8-3A Division I. Teague has won four of their last five games to even the season record and return home to face the winless (1-7, 0-5) Kemp Yellowjackets on Friday night.
(Photos by Jessica Risken)
