The Teague Lions fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter and kept the game close but the Centerville Tigers were too much and they won in Teague 44-29 on Friday night.
Centerville took the opening possession and ran the football with a powerful offensive line and shifty running backs; however, it was the passing game that moved them into position to score. Junior quarterback Riley Winkler passed to Andrew Newman for a 27-yard pass that ended at the Teague four-yard line. Paxton Howard finished with a four-yard run to open the scoring. The point after failed and the Tigers led 6-0.
Taking down his Tiger opponent is Teague Lion #11 Anthony Dimiceli as #1 Jehmel Rice and #22 Kooper Kennedy are ready to assist.
The Tigers added another touchdown midway through the first quarter. Wade Neyland ended the drive with a diving catch in the near corner of the end zone and the 25-yard score stretched the lead to 14-0.
The next Teague drive went deep into Centerville territory. J’Kybryen Harris caught a pass to the Centerville 40-yard line and Shamar Davis added an 18-yard run to the two-yard line. The Lions were pushed back and on fourth down, sophomore quarterback Zak Leija was picked off in the end zone.
Teague would hold on defense and force a punt and the Lions wasted no time. Davis line up behind the center in a “wildcat” formation. The direct snap was to him and he followed his blocking and quickly covered the 70 yards for the touchdown. Henry Cordona added the extra point and the Lions cut the lead in half to 14-7 with nine minutes remaining in the first half.
Centerville would add the touchdown back with just under three minutes left. Hancock scored on a ten-yard run and added the conversion run for a 22-7 lead.
Moving the ball downfield is Teague Lion #5 J’Kybryen Harris. (Photos by Jessica Risken)
Davis added his second touchdown run of the game on an 11-yard run. The touchdown was set up by a Hancock fumble and Ke’Mauri Evans recovered near midfield. Cordona hit the extra point and the Centerville Tigers led 22-14 at the half.
The opening drive of the second half forced a Teague punt downed at the Centerville ten-yard line. Centerville went back to work and their 90-yard drive ended with a Lavodrick Phillips five yard run to extend the lead back to two scores at 28-14.
Hancock scored with 9:29 remaining in the game to up the Tigers ahead by their largest margin at 36-14, but the Lions were not finished.
The kick came down to Caden Gonzales and fielded it on a bounce and followed the kickoff team and broke into the open at midfield and went 85 yards untouched for the touchdown, cutting the lead to 36-14.
Still with nine minutes remaining in the game, the Tigers put their conventional running style of offense on display and took over six minutes of the clock and Hancock scored his fourth touchdown of the game on an 11-yard run to put the game at 44-21 lead with 2:35 remaining in the game.
The kickoff came down to Gonzales a second time and he reached top speed much quicker and this return covered 88 yards and the Lions again closed the gap to 44-29, the eventual final score.
The Teague Lions (0-3) take back to the road, a short road trip, down the interstate to take on the Buffalo Bison (1-2).
(Photos by Jessica Risken)
