The Lightning football team has had a rough season so far and it didn't get any better when the Windward Wildcats came to Lightning stadium Friday night. The Wildcats are certainly one of the premiere teams in all of 8-Man football and the Lightning would have to do battle without three of its top players in this game.
Lightning QB Zack Ontiveros , top running back Tyler Carlisle and receiver Josh Leichtner will all three sit out this game due to injuries. Many expected this game to be over at halftime, but the Lightning defense made a good game of it holding the powerful wildcat offense to only 27 pts in four quarters.
The Lightning were actually never out of this game earning 9 first downs while picking up 46yds on the ground and 81 yds in the air. The game would have been a lot closer if not for 2 interceptions and 1 loss fumble for the Lightning.
Sophomore safety/backup QB Erik McClay would have to run the offense against one of the best defenses in the division. Erik couldn't get the run game going, the staple of the Lightning offense, but did manage 7 out of 17 through the air for 81 yds to keep the game interesting. In the end, the Lightning just didn't have enough fire power on offense to take down the Wildcats. The defense did a good job creating five sacks and 1 fumble to give the offense hope. The Wildcats held their ground and for one of the few times in recent history, the Lightning were shut out.
On offense, Chris Barnes had 13 carries for 42 yds and 2 catches for 37 yds, Greg Lindblom had 8 carries for 26 yds and 1 catch for 11 yds, Levi Garrido had 5 carries for 12 yds and 3 catches for 20 yds, Steve Henderson had 1 catch for 13 yds.
On defense, Lindblom lead the team with 14 tackles, Henderson had 12 tackles, Garrido had 10 tackles, 1 for a loss and 1 fumble recovery; McClay had 6 tackles, Jono Sullivan had 4 tackles and 2 sacks, Jake Ontiveros had 4 tackles and 2 sacks, Michael Samu had 2 tackles and 1 sack.
Next up for the Lightning is a home game at Lightning stadium next Friday, Oct. 9th, at 7:00pm against the Victor Valley Christian Royals to begin the final Agape League season for the Lightning. The Royals were a playoff team last year so this should be a good game.
