From the Den

Submitted by Roger Young

As the team landed in Orlando, Florida, the skies were filled with black clouds. RAIN. With the LIONS dressed in black, it was clear that that they were the dark cloud for the Oak Cliff Titans. The Titans just off a quick 18-hour bus ride from Texas were the last team to check in and scale the players. The Titans were coming off their Region win against the Bryant Buccaneers 22-0 were hoping to keep the streak alive behind the leadership of their 14-year-old star QB Nicholas Harvey, who will be playing in a 15-16 year-old All-star game.

Number 33 Adam Garza, an 8th grader at Cabrillo Middle School, was the beast running all over the Titans. By third quarter, Garza racked up over 150 yards rushing and two TDs, eating up the Titans players.

At the start of the 4th quarter, Garza sat with the rest of the PRIDE taking over. Justin Lovett gave the fans a taste of his skills as well as Martin Mc Castle. “Garza set the tune with his runs and we all had to step up and keep up with him, I know I had too,” said Mc Castle.

The defense was sharp as always with Randy Barrows keeping an eye out for any changes in the Titans’ offense. When the Titans spilt Harvey out as a wide receiver, Coach Price moved Justin Lovett over to cover the loaded side, in perfect time to knock the long pass intended to the all-star QB.

Coach TJ Darsey talked to the D-Line and had them feasting on the QB every time the Titans dropped back for a pass. Patrick Mc Caffery and Raymond Prado kept the hunger alive with over 10 tackles and four sacks.

With the game in the final seconds and the Santa Clara Lions chalking up their first ever win in Florida, you could tell that Santa Clara was taking care of business, not gloating like other teams. The team shook hands with the Titans and left the complex in full gear. NO BRAGGING. NO STRUTTING. Just Focusing.

Coach Craig Connelly wants to thank the 100-plus people in attendance at Seniore’s Pizza and the over 350 views online thanks to our partners at ysvn.

Next Up:
The LIONS play the Richmond Giants of Miami, Florida on Wednesday, December 9 at 12 noon PST. The Giants looked good, taking out the Rahway Chiefs of New Jersey with a score of 30–0 win. The LIONS are hoping to contain the speed of the Giants.