Lions defeat Crusaders, prepare for Statesmen
Ben Skipworth
Issue date: 10/15/09 Section: Sports
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The Lions seemed to be off to a slow start again, as the Crusaders picked up a quick turnover after intercepting a Harrison Beck pass on the first North Alabama drive. On North Greenville's first possession defensive linemen Nick Walker tipped a pass on third down that forced the Crusaders to punt. The Lions got on the board with 5:27 left to go in the first quarter after a 30-yard Kenny Spencer field goal.
On the ensuing Crusaders possession the Lions got the spark they needed to finally get going. Brandenn Pickett blocked a punt near the end zone and Svante Davenport picked up the loose ball and scampered in for the touchdown. With 3:05 left in the first quarter the Lions were up 10-0. The shift in momentum was all that the Lions needed.
After a sack by the deadly Mike Johnson and Montrell Craft on North Greenville's following possession, a punt set the Lions up with good field position to start off the second quarter. Beck hooked up with Mico McSwain, breaking several tackles, for a 14-yard gain. Later in the drive, an impressive block by Charles McClain set up a big gain for McSwain. Then the UNA offense scored it's first touchdown of the game when Beck hit Florence native Chris Simpson for a nine-yard touchdown at the 12:44 mark of the second quarter. Spencer's PAT pushed the lead to 17-0.
Later in the second quarter, an Albert Russell sack forced another North Greenville punt that led to a Kenny Spencer field goal with 6:21 left in the half. The field goal made it 20-0. A long UNA drive led to another touchdown pass for Beck.
Beck hit receiver Antyon Gray for an eight-yard score, pushing the lead to 27-0 with just 1:24 left in the half. The Lions continued to play spectacular on special teams, as Jusmon Rivers blocked a punt out of the endzone to extend the lead to 29-0 at halftime.
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