Running game gives Lions big lift in scrimmage
August 22, 2009

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

	Photo By Laurie White King/ Herald-Banner Staff Dakieston Williams looks for daylight on this 63-yard touchdown run on the second play of Greenville’s scrimmage at McKinney on Friday night. Williams finished with 110 yards on six carries.

McKINNEY -- Dakieston Williams and Alton Dennis scored on two long touchdown runs in the first series to give the Greenville Lions a big lift in their football scrimmage with McKinney on Friday night.

Williams dashed 63 yards for a touchdown on the scrimmage’s second play and then Dennis raced 65 yards for a touchdown two plays later.

The Lions’ two-big play guys both topped the 100-yard rushing mark as the Lions wound up with a 415-400 edge in total yardage and matched McKinney 3-3 in touchdowns. McKinney was a 4-7 playoff team last season in Class 4A while Greenville went 2-8.

“I’m pleased with the effort,” said Lions coach Jim Phillips. “We jumped out there and we didn’t die. Last year we would have died.”

Phillips said the Lions’ heavy emphasis on conditioning in spring training and two-a-days is paying off.

Dennis, the Lions’ starting quarterback, rushed for 133 yards on 10 carries and was 3-of-10 passing for 50 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown pass to Devonte Green.

Williams, a starting running back, pounded out 110 yards on only six carries.

McKinney quarterback Zach Lee, who has verbally committed to Louisiana State University, was 7-of-16 passing for 151 yards. Lee also rushed for 15 yards on four carries, scoring on a 1-yard run.

“They’re pretty good,” said Phillips. “He can throw the ball.”

All three of Greenville’s touchdowns were with the first offense including two in the controlled portion of the scrimmage and one in 16 minutes of live action.

McKinney scored twice with its first offense and once with the second offense. McKinney scored twice in the controlled part and once in live action.

McKinney had a slight advantage in total yardage in the controlled portion of the scrimmage, 317-308, thanks to a big advantage with the second team.

Greenville wound up with 357 rushing yards and 58 passing for the whole scrimmage while McKinney managed 168 yards on the ground and 232 through the air.

McKinney’s back-up quarterback Ronald Roquemore, Jr., was 4-of-9 passing for 70 yards.

Defensive back Austin Martin kept McKinney’s second offense out of the end zone with an interception. Martin had a wall of blockers and lots of running room ahead of him when play was stopped to avoid injury.

Ryan Wilhelm handled kicking duties for the Lions, booting all three extra points.

Neither team scored in the junior varsity scrimmage. Carlos Carter recovered a fumble on defense for the Lions and Tobias Nelson had a big sack.

McKinney’s JV would have scored on an interception but coaches stopped the play to avoid injuries.

Greenville’s freshman B team scored three times in its scrimmage against the McKinney ninth graders. Greenville’s A team did not score.

Marquis Davis threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Brice Cox, Scott Foster ran 45 yards for a touchdown and LaDarius Mitchell ran 11 times for a score.

This was the Lions’ only preseason scrimmage. They’ll open the season at home on Friday night against Forney.

Phillips said the Lions should be okay this season “if they’ll just stay healthy and stay positive.”