Lions passing game sizzles in scrimmage
May 29, 2009

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE -- The passing combination of Alton Dennis to Devonte Green highlighted the Greenville Lions’ Red-White football scrimmage on Thursday night at T.A. “Cotton” Ford Stadium.

Dennis hooked up with Green for four completions for 109 yards and two touchdowns. The scoring tosses covered 30 and 39 yards. They also connected for completions of 31 and nine yards.

Dennis, the Lions’ returning starter at quarterback, went 4-of-10 passing for 109 with all four completions to Green. Dennis also rushed for 64 yards on 10 carries.

The offense scored four times against the defense including a 68-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jeffro Davis to receiver Jamal Stanton with the second offense against the second defense. Davis was 3-of-4 passing for 84 yards.

Ryan Wilhelm also booted a 43-yard field goal that was set up by Zach Hayes’ fumble recovery.

The Lion defense was about to score a touchdown on Justin Casselberry’s interception return when the play was blown dead to protect injuries.

Under a scoring system that awarded points to the offense for first downs and big plays and points to the defense for stopping the offense and forcing turnovers, the offense outscored the defense 47-31.

Dakieston Williams was the offense’s second-leading rusher with 36 yards on seven carries. N.J. Mason also ran for 18 yards on six carries and Antoine Burley finished with 17 yards on eight carries.

Greenville’s second-year head coach Jim Phillips did not appear too pleased with the results of the scrimmage.

“I’m not pleased with the line blocking,” he said. “I didn’t think we played with enough energy. I thought the defense played well.”

Dennis ran for gains of 10 and 19 yards before connecting with Green on the 30-yard touchdown pass. Green tightroped down the right sideline before reaching the end zone. Wilhelm booted the extra point.

Dennis broke loose for runs of five and 21 yards and Mason reeled off a 10-yard run before Dennis threw the 39-yard touchdown pass. Again, Green raced down the right sideline on the way to the end zone. Chris Gutierrez booted the extra point.

Gutierrez also booted the extra point following the big bomb from Davis to Stanton.

Gutierrez and Evan Snider took turns punting the ball as the Lions averaged 29.5 yards on four punts.

The scrimmage capped nearly four weeks of spring training for the Lions, who started their afterschool workouts on May 4.

The next order of business for the Lions is an athletic picnic set to start at 4 p.m. on Monday at T.A. “Cotton” Ford Stadium.