Paris snaps losing skid with 13-7 win over Lions
September 13, 2008

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

PARIS, Texas -- Paris snapped an eight-game losing streak and also celebrated homecoming with a 13-7 victory over the Greenville Lions on a wet Friday night at Noyes Stadium.

Paris quarterback Quin Rollerson, who was 8-of-18 passing for 145 yards, directed the Wildcats on a nine-play, 65-yard drive for the go-ahead touchdown with 2:23 remaining. The 6-foot-5 Rollerson capped the drive by holding the football up over a pileup at the goal line on a sneak from the 1-yard line.

Greenville quarterback Alton Dennis tried to bring the Lions back on a drive that started from their 22. He and the Lions got a break with a 15-yard interference penalty that set Greenville up with a first and 10 at the Paris 41 with 37 seconds left. Dennis scrambled for five yards on the next play but was sacked for a 3-yard loss on the following play and had to spike the ball to stop the clock with five seconds remaining. His Hail Mary attempt on fourth-and-eight from the 39 landed short and wide of his receiver at about the Paris 10 on the game’s final play.

Paris, which outgained the Lions 340-147 in total yardage, upped its season record to 1-2 with its first home win since 2006.

The Lions, who’ll enjoy an open date on Friday, dropped to 1-2 with a loss in the final non-district game.

“Everything was stacked against us,” said Lions coach Jim Phillips. “It was homecoming. I didn’t have them prepared. The kids played hard. The kicking game was outstanding.”

The Lions blocked two punts early but couldn’t convert either opportunity.

Three Lions converged on Paris punter Jon Mark Abbey and blocked the Wildcats' first punt. Wade Prigmore fell on the football at the Paris 48.

But three plays later the Lions turned the ball back to the Wildcats at the Paris 43 on a lost fumble by the quarterback.

Paris moved the ball in the rain to the Greenville 44 but Greenville's big defensive tackle Mike Snider made two consecutive stops for no gain and the Wildcats had to punt. This time Greenville's Andy Wood blocked Nathan Jordan's punt and the Lions recovered the ball at their own 49.

Greenville made it to the Paris 13 following a 13-yard run by Dennis and a 6-yarder from Dakieston Williams. But the Lions lost 15 yards on a personal foul penalty and seven more on a scramble by Dennis and couldn't convert a fourth and 28 from the Paris 36.

Paris then marched 64 yards in six plays to take the lead. Tailback Walter Gunn dashed for gains of 20 and 16 yards before Rollerson threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Domonique Mitchell on a fade route to the left corner of the end zone. It was a tough call for the officials on whether Mitchell got a foot down inbounds before he fell over the sidelines with the football but the Wildcats got the call and the Lions drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

“The first touchdown was not a touchdown,” said Phillips. “Can’t cry about it.”

Harper Hunt's kick made it 7-0 with 1:02 left in the first quarter.

Paris threatened again early in the second period following an exchange of punts. Gunn ran 28 yards to the Greenville 26 and Rollerson connected with receiver Tyrell Smith on a 6-yard completion. But the Lion defense dug in at the 20, stopping Gunn for a 5-yard loss and then Ty Finney sacked Rollerson for a 10-yard loss and the Lions turned Paris away at the Greenville 21.

Wood recovered a fumble at the Wildcat 32 on a muffed Paris punt return. But again the Lions were turned away after Dennis was sacked for a 9-yard loss on fourth and seven from the Wildcat 29.

Greenville got the football back three plays later when Greenville defender Ty Finney recovered a Paris fumble at the Wildcat 27 that followed a missed snap from center. This time the Lions cashed in with Williams’ 18-yard touchdown run with 1:03 left before halftime. Rumph’s kick sent the teams into halftime tied at 7-7. Williams led the Lions with 87 yards rushing on 19 carries.