By Dan McGrath
Though none of them turned out that way, it could be argued that each of the Leo Lions’ first three football games this season was winnable.
Not so Game 4. Host Marian Catholic scored on four of its first six possessions in building a 26-6 halftime lead and celebrated Homecoming by subduing the Lions 33-18 in Friday’s Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Red Division opener for both teams in Chicago Heights.
The Spartans squared their record at 2-2 while the Lions fell to 0-4 in a grim, physical battle that occasionally crossed the line into rough stuff — nearly 200 yards in penalties were assessed, 130 against the Lions. Offsetting personal fouls were called twice, and the postgame handshake exchange was interrupted by a nasty skirmish.
Muggy weather may have contributed to the generally foul mood of the evening. Between the penalties and cramping-up players requiring medical attention, the proceedings were a three-hour slog from start to finish.
Quarterback Derrick Davis played the best game of his career for the Lions, completing 10 of 15 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown, a 16-yard strike to Jaivon Dale in the fourth quarter. Under heavy pressure, Davis also ran for 40 yards on seven carries, and his completions went to five receivers, Gavin Donald grabbing four for 60 yards.
Javon Logan’s 98 yards (on 12 carries) featured a 59-yard touchdown burst, Marshawn Durr scored on a 5-yard run from the Wildcat formation, and Ryan Cunningham’s three touches accounted for 89 yards: 44 on an interception return, 32 on a catch that set up Leo’s final touchdown and 13 on a run from scrimmage.
But poor tackling and being caught out of position were Leo’s undoing, and it started early when dynamic tailback Kyle Scott’s first two carries went for 52 yards. His longest thereafter was 13 yards, but the Lions never really contained Scott as he piled up 189 yards on 28 attempts.
Meanwhile, Tremayne Cheers scored on a 65-yard run, one play after Logan’s touchdown brought Leo within 13-6. Sophomore thoroughbred Jeremiah Stonewall’s two TD runs included a 69-yarder, and there wasn’t a Lion within five yards of T.J. Garner when he hauled in Joey Baranski’s 29-yard TD pass in the first quarter.
But the Spartans weren’t all big-play flash and dash. After Leo had moved within 26-12, they effectively put the game away with a fourth-quarter drive that covered 90 yards in 15 plays and used up nearly nine minutes before Scott scored from the 1-yard line.
A trip to Burbank to face St. Laurence on Friday, Sept. 27 is next for the Lions and that might not be fun; the Vikings are 4-0 following a road win at Carmel of Mundelein and have outscored their opponents 155-29.
Leo’s frosh soph (2-2) also came up empty, falling to Marian 24-20 in Friday’s preliminary game.
The Spartans were protecting that lead when quarterback Malcolm Hill fumbled after taking a brutal hit from the Leo defense. Robert Cunningham scooped up the ball and took it 72 yards for what would have been the go-ahead touchdown, but the Lions were flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Hill and the play came back. Marian retained possession and ran out the clock.
Kam Mosley scored two touchdowns for Leo, one on a 61-yard run.
Next up for Leo: at St. Laurence on Friday, Sept. 27. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
The schedule:
Fri., Sept. 27 – at St. Laurence, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 5 – De La Salle, 1 p.m.**
Fri., Oct. 11 – St. Rita, 7:30 p.m.*
Fri., Oct. 18 – at Notre Dame of Niles, 7 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 26 – Marmion, 1 p.m.*
* home games at St. Rita’s Cronin Field, 78th and Western
** Homecoming