The Dublin Lions returned for the first official game of the season Friday, Aug. 30 as they took on the historic season opening rival DeLeon.
As the game began and everyone prepared for the National Anthem, a hush fell over Cervetto Field as there was a moment of silence requested for Richard “Truck” Stevens, the legendary Dublin Lion, Baylor Bear and Philadelphia Eagle who passed from this life earlier in the month.
The game coincided with the annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Challenge in which Dublin raised the most money through donations to its FCA activities, claiming the winners’ plaque and bragging rights.
Numbers on the field went the other way but Dublin Head Football Coach Greg Hardcastle said the 79-43 score in DeLeon’s favor didn’t tell the whole story.
“We kept it within a couple of scores, until it got away from us at the end,” said Hardcastle. “I’m very pleased with the way the kids responded. They kept battling and stayed after it the whole game.”
Quarterback Kaden Gaitan supported the team well with 406 yards in passing, 46 in rushing and adding 6 tackles.
Scoring was led by Rey Chacon who had two touchdowns and a successful point after touchdown kick and DJ Ferguson who carried 2 TDs over the goal line and completed a 2-point conversion. Chacon amassed 97 yards in receiving while Ferguson had 135.
Francisco Garcia, who had 57 yards in receiving, contributed the other TD for the Lions. Two-point conversion plays were also completed by Alex Teten and Christian Mendez.
Hardcastle expects his players to get in a good spot once they get a handle on the defense system they’re learning. With only 4 defensive starters returning this year and 7 or 8 starters on the offensive side coming back, the Dublin players have more ground to cover in their D game.
Hardcastle said the Lions were still able to spread the passing plays to several receivers though which bodes well for the start of season play.
The Lions travel to Millsap Friday, Sept. 6 where they will play the Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Hardcastle said they are a solid, well-coached team but they graduated a number of players last year and haven’t been able to practice on their own field much since it’s been turfed.