Green (offense) and Gold (defense) clash in a drive at the Lion’s Football 2016 Spring Game.
The Lion's Roar/Ian Fischer
With three scrimmages and the spring practices out of the way, Lions football tested their skills in front of the crowd at the 2016 Spring Game.
Green (offense) beat Gold (defense) with a score of 44-9 at Strawberry Stadium last Saturday. Green scored points traditionally with the addition of points for first downs and big plays. Gold scored by forcing three-and-outs, stops and turnovers. The game gave Lion’s football fans, friends and family the opportunity to see the team’s performance on the field after a rough previous season.
Junior defensive back Ryan Sigers’ father Reginald Sigers came from Katy, Texas to see the game. He was optimistic about the season.
“We need a big year,” said Reginald Sigers. “I think with the offense looking like they did and the defense playing really well, we’re going to have a good season.”
The game also gave the opportunity for Head Coach Ron Roberts and the team to see how they play football in 2016 with the additional stress of a crowd watching and expecting a comeback year.
“Some guys’ lights turn on, they shine,” said Roberts. “Some guys’ lights turn on, they choke. I thought across the board our guys turned around and played pretty well.”
Gold played strongest in the first half with the Green only able to score a 26-yard field goal from sophomore kicker/punter Harrison Heim. Junior Jeff Williams II led the defense finishing the game with seven tackles.
Green picked up after halftime. Senior D’shaie Landor opened the beginning of the second half with a six-play 75-yard touchdown drive. Landor, who also led with 44 rushing yards, said the team played well, but was concerned with mistakes such as false starts which held them back.
“We still got to work,” said Landor. “We went four and seven last year and that’s just not how we do it here at Southeastern. We just have to work. We have to prove ourselves again; that we’re the top dog in the conference.”
Gold picked up again later in the game, but lost ground after a personal foul. Afterward, junior wide receiver Kaelyn Richardson caught a 24-yard touchdown from Landor.
Landor finished the game with 78 yards plus the 44 rushing and a touchdown. He said the mistakes holding them back in the beginning were due to the offense being new and he was optimistic about the comeback year.
“It’s coming,” said Landor. “We’re in the weight room working. Our goal this year is redemption. We have to redeem ourselves.”
According to Roberts, the team has made progress since the beginning of spring practice, but there is still work to be done until then.
“Practice 15 needs to be our best,” said Roberts. “As long as that’s our mentality, the next time when we go on the field that needs to be our best. If we do that, in the long run, we’ll be okay. If we ever stop getting better, we got problems.”
The Lions will begin practicing in August for the 2016 season and the Lions first game against Oklahoma is set for Sep. 3.
Head Coach Ron Roberts prepared the Lions for a comeback year throughout the spring practices leading up to the Spring Game.
The Lion's Roar/Ian Fischer
Green (offense) and Gold (defense) clash in a drive at the Lion’s Football 2016 Spring Game.
The Lion's Roar/Ian Fischer
Green (offense) and Gold (defense) clash in a drive at the Lion’s Football 2016 Spring Game.
The Lion's Roar/Ian Fischer
Green (offense) and Gold (defense) clash in a drive at the Lion’s Football 2016 Spring Game.
The Lion's Roar/Ian Fischer