Greenville runs over Royse City, 45-28
October 10, 2009

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Sports Editor

ROYSE CITY -- Quarterback Alton Dennis racked up 340 yards of total offense as the Greenville Lions got back on the winning track with a 45-28 District 10-4A football victory over the Royse City Bulldogs on Friday night.

Dennis rushed for 251 yards on 16 carries, including an 83-yard touchdown sprint, and went 6-of-14 passing for 89 yards and two touchdowns as the Lions improved to 4-2 for the season and 1-2 in 10-4A.

Royse City, which picked up 212 yards passing from sophomore quarterback Taylor Corbin and 108 yards rushing from running back Ryan Fedric, remained winless at 0-6 and 0-3.

Greenville, limited to only two touchdowns by both Rockwall-Heath and Highland Park the previous two games, exploded for 504 total yards, including 415 yards rushing.

The Lion defense helped get the Lions rolling as Greenville followed up three big plays on defense in the first half with quick touchdowns.

Royse City, which took the opening possession 80 yards to score in 11 plays, was driving again midway through the first quarter, moving from its 36 to the Greenville 17. But the Lion defense stopped running back Lewis Mapps short of a first down on a fourth-and-one carry there at the 17.

Dennis then raced 83 yards up the middle for the touchdown on the very next play. It was Dennis’ sixth touchdown run of the season and the longest run from scrimmage by the Lions this season. Ryan Wilhelm’s kick tied it at 7-7 with 1:55 left in the first period.

Greenville defensive back Michael Riskey set up the Lions’ next touchdown with a 39-yard interception return to the Royse City 39. Dennis went to the air for the touchdown on the next play, firing a strike to a wide open Jarvis Bruner. Bruner’s fourth touchdown reception of the season gave the Lions a 14-7 lead after Wilhelm tacked on the extra point.

Greenville’s strong safety Dejuan Morgan set the third Greenville touchdown up after recovering an errant snap from center at the Bulldog 45. Greenville scored in four plays including Dennis’ 15-yard TD strike to wide receiver Dijoun Sheppard on the fade route. Wilhelm’s kick boosted the Lions’ lead to 21-7 with 7:21 left before the half.

Royse City responded with a 75-yard, eight-play drive that featured the running of Ryan Fedric (23 yards), Mapps (16) and Devin Bryant (8). Quarterback Taylor Corbin then found Fedric out of the backfield for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Sterling Mullen’s kick brought the Bulldogs to within 21-14 with 4:09 left before the half.

A 15-yard penalty tacked on the kickoff pushed Royse City kicker Taylor Pollock back to his 25 for the ensuing kickoff. Devonte Green then gave the Lions a big spark with a 31-yard return to the Royse City 37. The Lions covered the distance in five plays, including a 17-yard keep by Dennis before Dakieston Williams powered in from six yards for his fourth touchdown run of the season.

Greenville followed up another defensive stand at the Bulldog 44 with a drive to the 11 that set up Wilhelm’s 28-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to give the Lions a 31-14 lead. Wilhelm’s kick bounced off the right upright but still made it over the crossbar.

Royse City’s Fedric scored the game’s first touchdown on a 1-yard run over right tackle to cap that 11-play drive on the first possession.

Greenville failed to cash in on its first possession of the second half after driving from its three to the Bulldog 20. Wilhelm missed a 37-yard field goal try into the wind.

The Bulldogs followed up that miss with an 80-yard, nine-play drive. Corbin lofted a 20-yard touchdown strike to Kristopher Smith on a fade route. Sterling Mullen’s kick brought the Bulldogs to within 31-21 with 5:04 left in the third quarter.

Greenville stretched its advantage to 45-21 with Cobbie Johnson’s 45-yard punt return for a touchdown and then a 56-yard seven-play drive capped by Williams’ 1-yard touchdown run with five minutes left. Johnson, the defending district 100-meter sprint champion, ran out of his shoe on the way to the end zone.

Royse City took advantage of two interference penalties to drove 80 yards for the final touchdown: a 7-yard strike from Corbin to Smith with 2:31 left.