Dublin Lions fans witnessed some fire on Cervetto Field Friday, Oct. 17 as the home team battled the Tolar Rattlers.
“The boys played much better defensively and really competed,” said head football coach/athletic director Greg Hardcastle, noting that the Lions made some decisive stops on the Rattler offense. “We also got to hold them on downs.”
Tolar started off the game with the only TD in the first quarter but Dublin fired back in the second with TDs by Husden Joslin and Joe Salinas while Tolar scored once more. Two successful kicks by Jayden Balvantin (who went 3/3 in the game) left the score tied 14-14 at the half.
Another score by Salinas in the 4th quarter brought the Lions to 21 while the Rattlers had brought their score to 28 in the 3rd.
Quarterback Alex Teten passed for 161 yards in the game while Joslin led in receiving with 56 yards followed by Caden Vanbebber with 53. Salinas scored 85 yards of rushing as he barreled in and through Tolar defense while Julian Caldera rushed for 31 yards and Kyler Gaitan had 38 yards of receiving and 18 yards of rushing.
Edwin Nevarez led in defense with 10 tackles followed by Hunter Splawn with 8, Cayson Loving with 6 and Ruben Bustillos with 4.
The Lions travel to Eastland Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. to face the 0-7 Mavericks as they look to build on the growth.