The Dublin Lions had a long trek to Liberty Hill Friday, Sept. 22 as they faced the Florence Buffaloes but the 2hour plus drive paid off with the first win of the season.
“We got off to a good start and kept the momentum,” said head Dublin football coach/athletic director Greg Hardcastle. “Defense played pretty well. We only gave up one score in the third [quarter] after they recovered a punt.”
The lions quickly got control Friday with a 53 yard pass play by Kyson Gilman and remain in control with consistent scoring of 14 points in every quarter. Sev Ruiz snagged the second TD in the first quarter off a 25 yard pass play.
Cameron Patton, who led in rushing with 111 yards, scored an 88-yard touchdown in the second quarter followed by a 13-yard pass play by Francisco Garcia.
In the third, Aidan Hernandez (who was 8/8 in PAT kicks) scored in a 20-yard pass play while Garcia brought another over the goal line in a 29 yard pass play.
In the final quarter, quarterback Kaden Gaitan (who had 209 yards of passing in the game and rushed for 44) rushed the ball 11 yards over the goal line and Aiden Salyer rushed for five yards to score the final points of the game
The score remained 56-7 for the last five minutes.
Receiving in the game was led by Gilman (53 yards), Kevin Patton (47), Garcia (42) Hernandez (28) and Ruiz (26).
Hardcastle was proud of all of his players for staying in the game.
The large lead at halftime was a blessing but it also presented a challenge for the Lions to get too comfortable.
“We told them keep up the intensity and don’t let down,” Hardcastle said. “They listened well.”
After watching film from Friday night, the Lions have pinpointed fundamentals to work on with the extra time they have from this bye week. Hardcastle said the team will continue to work on tackles and executing plays as they prepare for their first district game Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. on DHS’ Cervetto Field against Merkel.
The only football team playing this week is the JV team who is traveling to Clifton Thursday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. to make up the game they missed against Fort Worth Christian.