The Lightning varsity football team traveled to Victor Valley on Friday, October 23rd to take on the undefeated Excelsior Education Center Eagles for the Agape League Championship. Both teams were undefeated in Agape League play and the Eagles were set on taking the title from the Lightning who have owned it for the last five years. After all, if would be satisfying for the Eagles to take the title from the Lightning the last year they would play in the Agape League. There was only one problem someone forgot to tell the Lightning Defense they were suppose to let the Eagles score!
The Lightning exploded on the field with a balanced attack scoring 3 TDs trough the air and 3 TDs on the ground. The Lightning sent a message in the 1st quarter scoring 24 pts and then put the game out of reach with another 14 pts in the 2nd quarter, sending the shell shocked Eagles to the locker room hanging their heads in embarassment. The game ended half way through the 3rd quarter on a 45 pt mercy rule.
Senior QB Zack Ontiveros was 2 of 4 in the air for 51 yds and 2 TD as well as 2 rushes for 10 yds and a TD. Freshman QB Joe Leichtner was 2 of 5 trhough the air for 8yds and a TD also rushing 3 times for 21 yds total.
Junior Tyler Carlise had his way with the Eagles defense rushing 18 times for 148 yds bringing his total on the year to 715 yds and 9 TDs. Carlisle also had two 2-pt conversions. Levi Garrido rushed one time for 15 yds and a TD. Greg Lindblom rushed 2 times for 6 yds and a TD. Senior Josh Leichtner had 1 rush for 8yds. Senior Chris Barnes scored a 2-pt conversion.
Leichtner also had three catches for 25 yds and 2 TDs along with two 2-pt conversions. Garrido had one catch for 34 yds and a TD.
On defense, Josh Leichtner led all tacklers with 8 tackles, Garrido had 7 Tackles, Senior Steven Henderson had 6 tackles, Carlisle had 5 tackles, Lindblom had 5 tackles, sophomore Erik McClay had 2 tackles. Lindblom also had an interception which he returned 37 yds for his score. Junior Jono Sullivan had a sack for 2 yd loss. Henderson also had a fumble revcovery.
The Lightning are guaranteed a playoff position by winning league and will have a home game in the first round.
The next game for the Lightning is an away game with Victor Valley Christian on October 30th and then back home for the last game of the regular season against Hesperia Christian on Nov. 6th.
