The Friday afternoon match-up between the top two San Francisco Section teams, (2-0) Galileo Lions and visiting (2-0) Lincoln Mustangs, was a fall classic full of fireworks.
The offenses put up 67 pts while defenses had goal line stands, interception returns for points and a blocked extra point. The Lions and Mustangs are two teams that are coached well with good player discipline. We may see them clash again come Turkey Day.
The game itself was a beauty. There in the cool autumn breeze of Galileo's aquatic park gridiron, the no-huddle Lions struck first using one of the many good-hands receivers in their arsenal. The Mustangs struck right back with a ground game march down field that culminated in a short yardage score. It was that way throughout, a passing game versus a running game. Sooner or later someone had to blink.
After a 13-13 halftime tie the Lions combined ground and passing game gave them a surprising 27-13 lead. It appeared they then took their foot off the pedal just enough for the Mustangs to get back in it with a defensive score, a long one (90 yard int return) and a Mustang offensive assault that chewed up yardage and tied the game 27-27.
Then it was the Lions who pounced, turning on the juice with passing, rushing and scoring their final touchdown with 5:30 remaining in the game.
Mustangs took over trailing 34-27. A big rushing play that got them down around the 30 with approx. 1:50 left. Their rushing game got them inside the 5 yd line for a first down with under a minute left. Of course the Mustangs scored but chose to go for the win with a 2 pt. conversion. Conversion failed, Lions celebrate once, then recover an on-side kick to ice the game and celebrate a final victory.
A well played game between two evenly matched opponents. A few officiating goofs but nothing that cost either team the game. Some questionable play calling at times, but I've come to accept those calls as good'ol high school coaching. I suppose you could say the blocked extra point by the Lions was the difference that won it for them. I'd like to congratulate both teams on a hard fought, cleanly played competition that was a joy to witness from the stands. I can still hear the family of Lions #40, "La-La" , cheering him on toward victory.
Final Score
Mustangs 33
Lions 34
SF Chronicle Preview
SF Chronicle Showdown
Examiner Review
No comments:
Post a Comment