By David Gross

The Leo Lions football team turned in an impressive performance Friday night to snap a three-game losing streak while spoiling De La Salle’s Homecoming game with a 46-13 victory.

The Lions got back in the win column with a dominant victory against host De La Salle (0-6, 0-2 CCL/ESCC Red)  after starting off the season 2-0, then losing the last three games. 

The Lions wasted no time getting out front with a 67-yard touchdown run by Ellison Cox on the first play from scrimmage. The Lions then forced the Meteors to go three-and-out and put together a solid drive, capped by a five-yard keeper by quarterback Derrick Davis for his first score of the night. 

After forcing a fumble, the Lions returned the favor with a fumble of their own and allowed the Meteors to score back-to-back touchdowns, which tied the game at 13-all.  The Meteor scores came on a 23-yard TD pass and a 27-yard run.

The Lions immediately tightened things up and scored again on a 66-yard run by Davis,  who converted a broken play into a touchdown  to break the tie and give Leo the lead for good. The Lions then forced another Meteor fumble which Cox returned for his second touchdown of the game with just 20 seconds remaining in the half. 

The Lions built on their 27-13 halftime lead with dominant defensive work, featuring a blocked punt that Dontae Felder returned for a touchdown to open the second half. The Lions scored again on another Davis QB keeper, this one covering six yards. The defense remained stout forcing two turnovers, a Robert Cunningham interception on 4th-and-goal and a Michael Redmond fumble recovery. 

The Lions substituted freely in the fourth quarter and gave freshman Malik Anderson some time at quarterback. He had a 19-yard touchdown run to complete the scoring. 

Davis, Leo’s starter at quarterback last season, was impressive returning to the position. Davis is also a member of the Leo Choir, whose run to the finals of the “America’s Got Talent” cost him some practice time.

Back behind center, Davis has the Lions looking ahead. He completed all four of his passes for 40 yards and had five carries for 80 yards and three touchdowns. 

The Lions (3-3, 1-1 CCL/ESCC Red) will look to begin a new win streak on Friday when they return to the field they previously called home on 79th Street: Cronin Field, home of the St. Rita Mustangs (2-4; 0-2 CCL/ESCC Blue). Kickoff is at 7p.m. 

The Lions are two wins away from qualifying for a spot in the IHSA playoffs for the first time since 2013.