Greenville Lions prepare for senior night
October 26, 2010

By David Claybourn
Herald-Banner Sports Editor

Senior night ceremonies shouldn't take too long for the Greenville Lions prior to Friday night's football game.

Would you believe the Lions were down to only one senior still playing in Friday night's 49-14 loss to Royse City?

That senior, Mikey Riskey, and four others will be recognized before the Lions' District 13-4A contest against Denison. The other four are Anthony Davis, Kolton Emmons, Lajorian Harris and Josh Puckett.

It's been that kind of season for the winless Lions, who've been outscored by an average margin of 48-7 by the opposition. They've been hit hard by injuries and had to play without eight of their top players since those eight left the program during the bye week in September rather than run extra as punishment for missing practice.

"We think we'll be able to suit up 31 or 32 kids," said Lions coach Chawn Cooper.

That's up from the 24-25 who've suited up for the last couple of games.

Denison, which is also 0-8, has been experiencing a season that really must be frustrating after going 13-2 and reaching the state semifinals in 2009. The Yellowjackets have lost by margins of 34-3 to Kennedale, 56-20 to Frisco Liberty, 53-17 to Belle Glades Central, Fla., 40-21 to Little Elm, 48-14 to Sulphur Springs, 27-20 to Texarkana Texas High, 32-21 to Royse City and 39-0 on Friday night to arch rival Sherman in the 112th annual "Battle of the Ax."

The Yellowjackets don't look that bad to Cooper.

"They're the best 0-8 team I've ever seen in my life," he said. "They had Texarkana on the ropes and fell apart defensively."

Sherman outgained the Yellowjackets 431-157 in total yardage.

Denison completed just four of 16 passes for 28 yards but rushed 129 yards on 29 carries. Stacy Golston ran for a team-high 55 yards on 14 carries, while Clifton Jackson rushed for 45 yards on five carries and was 2-of-10 passing for 12 yards.

Cooper said the Yellowjackets have a big offensive line and a big tailback who runs hard.

"Defensively they run a 4.3 and bring a lot of pressure with the linebackers," he said.

Greenville finished with 192 yards during Friday night's 49-14 loss to Royse City for the second-highest offensive output of the season. Greenville rushed for 105 and threw for 87.

Alfred Champion led the Lions with 64 yards on 19 carries, including scoring runs off 11 and five yards.

Starting quarterback Mikey Riskey rushed for 26 yards on 11 carries and was 2-of-9 passing for 37 yards.

Jeffro Davis, who started at wide receiver, went 3-of-3 passing for 50 yards in relief of the busy Riskey at quarterback. Not only does Riskey play quarterback, but also as a defensive back, punt and kick returner, plus he punts and is the holder on conversion kicks.