Greenville Lions lose 13 to injuries
October 6, 2010

By David Claybourn
Herald-Banner Staff

The injured list continues to grow for the Greenville Lions as they prepare for their District 13-4A football contest on Friday night at Sulphur Springs.

The Lions, who had eight players leave the team three weeks ago after choosing not to run extra as punishment for missing a practice, will be missing another 13 players who are out with injuries, according to Lions head coach Chawn Cooper. The injuries range from concussions to shoulder, back and knee injuries, plus a high ankle sprain and a fractured finger.

Players who will miss this week's game with injuries include lineman Jorge Rodriguez, fullback-wide receiver Jeffro Davis, wide receiver Shay Sellers, running back-lineback Oshay Carter, linebacker Alex Key, linebacker Zach Nicols, lineman Vince Young, lineman Kolton Emmons, lineman Josh Puckett, lineman Joseph AIken and defensive back Nathan Ruprecht.

"In spite of all this we've got 27 fighting Lions ready to go to battle that are healthy and ready to go," said Cooper.

The 0-5 Lions, who dropped their district opener 34-7 last week to Mount Pleasant, are taking on a 4-2 Sulphur Springs team. The Wildcats are 1-1 in district play including a 48-14 win over Denison and a 60-34 loss to Sherman. Sulphur Springs has also beaten Lakeview Centennial (25-0), Whitehouse (40-39) and Paris (62-31) and has lost to No. 4 state-ranked Denton Ryan (28-14).

"They're fast and really well-coached," Cooper said of the Wildcats.

Sulphur Springs lines up in the spread formation on offense with junior quarterback Justin Owens at the helm. Owens, a 6-1, 180-pound junior, is the son of Wildcat head coach Greg Owens.

The Wildcats' two starting running backs are small but quick, including fullback Cody Clayton (5-7, 145, Jr.) and tailback Kendrick Daniels (5-6, 150, Jr.).

Sulphur Springs has a big line in front of those backs including center Tyler Halerumal (6-1, 250, Sr.), guards Sir Osorio (5-11, 270, Sr.) and Ethan Boatman (6-0, 300, Jr.) and tackles Chris Sorley (6-0, 180, Sr.) and Chad Evans (6-4, 250, Sr.).

The Wildcats base out of a 4-3 alignment on defense.

"They're really good in the back end," said Cooper. "Their secondary is really fast and will knock you down."

The Wildcat secondary features Tre' Dean (6-0, 160, Jr.) and Daevaun Henson (5-6, 140, Sr.) at the corners and Sharard Timmons (6-2, 195, Sr.) and Tylan Harris (5-11, 170, Sr.) at the safeties.

Mikey Riskey, who ran a yard for the Lions' only touchdown in last week's loss, will start at quarterback, according to Cooper. Riskey was 4-of-7 passing for 48 yards in relief of starter Marquist Davis.