Lapeer County Lions win season opener

By Chris Dungey
INDEX Contributor

ALMONT — The Lapeer County Lions put new faces in the right places to ignite its offence in last Saturday night’s regular season NAFL opener against the visiting Flint Fury. After building a 20-0 lead, the Lions again turned to the defense to preserve a 20-13 win.

Back-up quarterback Chance Garner replaced Justin Sortor early in the second quarter after the Imlay alum had been picked off twice by Flint corner Chrishaun Verdun. Garner quickly hooked up with recently acquired wideout Terry Mitchell on a 49-yard strike with 8:25 remaining in the first half. Matt Butterfield booted the extra point.

Garner would complete 6 attempts for 169 yards and 2 scores with Mitchell catching four of those. The former Port Huron High, Grand Valley State and Port Huron Pirate speedster recorded five grabs for 138 yards.

“They doubled up on me in the second half,” Mitchell explained, concerning the offense’s later difficulties. “I’m a modest kind of guy and I mean them no disrespect, but I had no trouble getting open early. I thought the double coverage would free up the other guys but that didn’t work out.”

“Who wouldn’t want to throw to somebody with :4.37 speed,” Garner noted about his new receiver. “He’s gifted with great hands and has good chemistry with both quarterbacks even after just one practice.”

The Lions scored again on their next possession when workhorse fullback Cody Halacz (17 carries for 162 yards) unveiled his speed, racing 64 yards through a hole opened by guard Lee Peters. Tom Schultz booted the extra point. With 17 seconds left in the half, tailback Brad Jackman (3 carries for 8 yards, 1 catch) squeezed a 31-yard Garner toss in the front corner of the Fury end zone. Though the PAT snap was muffed, the Lions led, 20-0, at halftime.

That score held up until the 13:58 mark in the third quarter when Fury QB Theeo Zamora reached paydirt on a 4-yard keeper. Mike Raab’s extra point attempt was blocked. As in their preseason encounter, Zamora began to run around and find his receivers. With 10:13 left in the contest, he brought the Fury to Lapeer’s doorstep and running back Antonio Forte went 7 yards off tackle for the TD. Raab’s kick was successful, making the score 20-13. It was time, once again, for Lion defensive heroics.

With 4:07 remaining, the Fury began a sustained drive from its own 28 down to the Lion’s 8-yard line. They were challenged for every inch by Jeff Tody (6 tackles, l assist) and Rob Purgatori (4 tackles, 2 assists) who shared a sack of Zamora; stops by Ken Yelle (11 tackles, 3 assists); a key tackle by defensive back Robert Callahan; and a diving pass deflection by safety Andre Thomas. Corners Elijah Marshall (2 interceptions) and Angel Pizzaro (6 tackles, 1 interception, 75 return yards) made their presences felt as they had throughout the evening. With :57 left, the Fury went for it on 4th down and goal only to have Zamora driven out of bounds for a loss at the 12. Off-setting penalties gave the ball back to the Lions. Before Garner could take three knees, flaring tempers over that final call caused referees to declare the game over.

Lapeer County will go on the road to Ontario to face the Tri-City Thunder next Saturday before returning on July 26 to host the Indianapolis Tornadoes. Fans are reminded that alcohol and tobacco products are prohibited on school property.