Defense Rules, Offense Rolls, Lightning Win 38-7!
The Lightning (2-4, 2-0) hosted the Hesperia Christian Patriots (4-2, 1-1) Friday, Oct. 17th at Lightning Stadium. The Patriots arrived at the game in anticipation of defeating the Lightning for the first time in 8 years. Afterall, the Lightning are just 2-4 on the year and have not been that productive putting points on the board only averaging, 15.4 pts per game on offense. On the other hand the Patriots have been on fire averaging 34.7 pts per game. The Patriots just knew they would get the "W" this time...
The problem was, no one told the Lightning that is was time to lose. So, they did what they always do... Beat the Patriots badly. The Lightning defense once again held them to just one score, winning 38-7, not quite as bad as last year's 45-0 mercy rule.
The Lightning controlled the first half scoring 4 times and holding the Patriots to zero points making it 26-0 at the half. The Patriots finally scored in the 3rd quarter after a Lightning fumble deep in Lightning territory. The scored was then 26-7. The fourth quarter was all Lightning as they scored 2 more times making it 38-7.
The Lightning had a balanced offense scoring three times on the ground and three times in the air. RB Cole Roberts lead all rushers with 145 yds on 29 carries and 3 TDs. Tyler Carlisle also had 38 yds rushing on 8 carries. QB Zack Ontiveros was near perfect through the air completing 5 of 6 for 77 yds and 3 TD's. Denzell Dobbins had 1 catch for 29 yds and a TD, Josh Leichtner had 2 catches for 19 yds and 2 TDs, and Steven Henderson had 1 catch for 26 yds.
On Defense, the seniors ruled with Vinny Ames sacking the QB 4 times, blocking 1 punt and making 7 additional tackles. Ryan Parker also had 2 sacks and 4 tackles. Roberts had 8 tackles and an Interception, and Tyler Erickson had 4 tackles. Junior LB Henderson had 14 tackles and a fumble recovery, Leichtner had 12 tackles. Carlisle had 7 tackles and Freshman Saftey Erik McClay played well with 4 tackles and 3 pass defenses.
Next up for the Lightning is a homecoming game against the Excelsior Education Center Eagles Friday Oct. 24th at 7:00PM. The festivities will start at 6:00PM with the introduction of the Homecoming Court and the selection of the King and Queen. The Pep Band, Cheer squad - mini cheerleaders too and Drum Corps will all be on hand during the pregame show to get things fired up for the game which will start promptly at 7:00PM. Wear a Lightning shirt and get in for just $2. The snack shack opens at 6:00PM with all the goodies, BBQ sandwiches, hotdog, sodas, coffee and lots of other snack items.
