The Dublin Lions are looking for a win as they head into homecoming this Friday (Sept. 8) against the 0-2 Anson Tigers with kick off at 7 p.m. The selection of homecoming queen and presentation of the court will be held on the field at 6:30 p.m. prior to the game.
The home team will also be 0-2 heading into the game after a 55-7 away loss on Friday, Sept. 1 to the Albany Lions.
The game ended on a high note as Kaden Gaitan, returning to play from the injury list, brought the ball over the goal on a keeper play in the final seconds. Aidan Hernandez completed the PAT kick for the extra point.
Despite the outcome, head Lions football coach/ athletic director Greg Hardcastle said Dublin had some bright spots against the team who claimed the state championship last year.
“ Playing good competition only makes us better,” he asserted. “The kids played well and kept going until the end.”
Among the bright spots were Sev Ruiz who kept pushing Albany inside the field and Rey Chacon who forced an interception.
On offense, Francisco Garcia completed seven catches for 70 yards.
Although some players may be out on illness, the Lions will be mostly healed up for homecoming and aiding from the return of three Friday Night Lights veterans to the field: Cameron Patton, Kevin Patton and Elijah Gonzales.
Kevin Patton will be playing as a defensive back while Cameron Patton will be serving as a linebacker/ running back. Gonzales will act as a linebacker and wide receiver.
These strengths will come in handy facing Anson who Hardcastle describes as a solid team playing an option-based offense this year. The Lions will be looking to keep dominance as they claimed a fourthquarter lead and 24-21 victory when they faced Anson last year.
“We should match up well,” Hardcastle said. “We just need to run the ball out and do our thing.”