Lions unleash offensive juggernaut in 71-21 win
September 12, 2009

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

	Photo By Laurie White King/ Herald-Banner Staff N.J. Mason follows the blocking of Devonte Green and others on this carry during the Greenville Lions’ 71-21 victory over Paris on Friday night at T.A. “Cotton” Ford Stadium.

GREENVILLE -- Greenville unleashed an offensive juggernaut on the Paris Wildcats on Friday night at T.A. “Cotton” Ford Stadium, winning by a 71-21 margin.

The Lions moved to 3-0 for their best start since 1998 while Paris dropped to 1-2.

The Lions scored on 11 of their 12 offensive possessions, including three touchdowns with the second offense in the second half, to roll up 515 yards of total offense.

Led by quarterback Alton Dennis, who is one of the top Class 4A rushers in the Metroplex, the Lions ran for 425 yards.

Dennis dashed for 180 yards on just eight carries, scoring on bursts of 41 and 57 yards and also set up another touchdown with a 56-yard scamper.

Dennis was also 3-of-7 passing for two touchdowns of 25 yards to Dijoun Sheppard and 21 to Jarvis Bruner.

Running back N.J. Mason scooted for another 85 yards on eight carries, scoring on runs of four and six yards.

Running back Dakieston Williams picked up another 42 yards on just five carries, including an 8-yard run.

Backup running back L’jorian Harris ran for another 47 yards on six carries, with a 3-yard touchdown run.

Bruner, the Lions’ wide receiver, ran for a 40-yard touchdown on a reverse.

The Lions also picked up touchdown runs of 16 yards from backup quarterback Jeffro Davis and six yards from reserve running back Antwone Burley.

Linebacker Ezekiel Prado led the Lion defense with some big tackles plus an interception and a fumble recovery that led to a pair of touchdowns.

The Lion defense, which also got some big tackles from Manon Steward, Courtney White, Cobbie Johnson, Travalus Matthews and others, also got in on the scoring act with a safety.

“I just hope we didn’t use up all our voodoo,” said Lions coach Jim Phillips. “The kids came out focused. The kids played well.

“Paris is good. Paris is a good football team. Things got out of hand with them.”

Paris, which finished with 326 yards of total offense, lost three fumbles and an interception.

The game was called with 2:57 remaining because of lightning.

Greenville dominated Paris in the first half to build a 47-6 lead. The Lions outgained the Wildcats 348-192 in that half and forced two turnovers, cashing both of them into touchdowns. Greenville placekicker Ryan Wilhelm also kept the Wildcats back at the 20 with some booming kickoffs that sailed through the end zone.

Greenville’s scoring drives covered 55, 59, 16, 22, 45, 62, 95, 75, 23, 67 and 77 yards.

The only possession that didn’t net a score for the Lions ended with a lost fumble at the Greenville 24 for the Lions’ only turnover.

Greenville built a 28-0 lead in the first quarter after rolling up 147 yards while the Wildcats netted a minus 14 yards.

Paris finished with 326 total yards as quarterback Corbin Taylor went 9-of-15 passing for 149 yards, including touchdowns of 34 yards to Darian Jones and 24 yards to Tevairus Williams.

Brodrick Reed, who also played quarterback for the Wildcats, scored on a 2-yard run for the game’s final touchdown with 3:13 remaining.