The Dublin Lions fell 49-14 on Friday, Oct. 13 when they traveled to Millsap but head Lions coach/athletic director Greg Hardcastle said the score doesn’t tell the whole story.
“We did a lot of good things Friday night,” he said, adding there were a lot of positive points seen when they went back to review film of the game. ”If you look at yardage, it was a pretty even game.” (Millsap had 352 total yards while Dublin had 314.)
Hardcastle also commended players who are consistent from week to week and said the Lions usually benefit from one or two receivers that step up each week.
Kaden Gaden provided 156 yards in passing and 72 yards in rushing. Aiden Salyer led in rushing with 78 and brought in both TDs for the lions in the fourth quarter.
Bardo Ruiz carried over a two-point conversion following the first TD but the Lions weren’t able to complete the second conversion attempt.
Kevin Patton and Aidan Hernandez led in receiving with respective yardage of 77 and 51.
Hardcastle said that the outcome Friday night was ultimately decided by errors.
“We dropped some passes that could have been scores for us and had some turnovers that were points for them,” Hardcastle reported. “They didn’t make mistakes and we did. We’ve just got to keep working and eliminate those.”
The coach added that the district schedule is tough this year, but the Lions will keep working so the outcomes can reflect the bright spots and efforts Dublin put in every week.
The Lions return home Friday, Oct. 20 to face the 3-4 Comanche Indians, who will be looking for a win after a string of losses.
“They’re going to come in here trying to get back on track after their loss to Jacksboro,” Hardcastle said.
The varsity will be at 7 p.m. on Cervetto Field. Jr. High will play at home Thursday, Oct. 19 in games starting at 5 p.m. Those traveling to Comanche for the Thursday, Oct. 19 JV game will need to buy tickets online. That game is slated for 5 p.m. but may be slightly delayed if Comanche books a game for its combined JH team beforehand.