The Brownwood Lions football team started out their 2010 season in a big way by defeating the Gatesville Hornets, 56 – 19, on Friday night.
The game began with Gatesville winning the toss and letting Brownwood receive. The initial kickoff was blown dead with a penalty to the Hornets. This was followed by two other penalized plays against Brownwood, then a deep pass to WR Jaxon Shipley who made a 20 yard carry into the end zone; however there was a flag for holding at the 20yd line and the TD was called back.
After 5 plays of the first quarter, 1:28 into the game, RB Stehl Ratliff carried for a touchdown for the first score of the game with a Dillon Ellis extra point, making the score 7-0.
With 8:34 left in the first quarter, Luke Chastain caught an interception at the 22yd line, making a 26yd return, and then Gatesville was able to regain the ball but lost possession after 4 short plays. Gatesville’s next possession was unsuccessful as well. With less than 3 minutes left in the first quarter, Jaxon Shipley tipped a punt and then caught it himself, running the sidelines 57 yards to a TD. This was his first punt return in 2 years.
Gatesville’s next possession resulted in DE Levi Westerman sacking the quarter back. Following that, a blitz hammered the Gatesville QB, resulting in BHS newcomer Ethan Horton knocking the ball loose and landing on it.
With 1:29 left in the 1st quarter, RB Derek Longoria made a one yard carry untouched into the end zone with Ellis making the extra point for a score of 21-0.
With less than three minutes left in the 2nd quarter, Jaxon Shipley, playing special teams, returned a punt for a touchdown running 80 yards and breaking numerous tackles. The opening play of the next drive also resulted in a Lions touchdown as Luke Chastain picked off a bobbled pass to run 30 yards into the end zone.
The closing seconds of the first half had Chastain catching a 48 yard pass for a touchdown bringing the halftime score to Brownwood 42, Gatesville 13.
The second half, although not as eventful as the first, did see Brownwood score two more times. QB Graylon Brown made a 24 yard rushing touchdown in the 3rd quarter. Also in the 3rd, RB Cameron Deal rushed for the Lions’ last touchdown run of the game making the final score 56-19.
Overall, Brownwood Head Coach Bob Shipley was pleased with the win, but saw room for improvement.
“You are always thankful for a win, but it was sloppy,” Shipley said. “A really crazy game.”
Shipley said that he felt the team was not in sync, and they needed to be more consistent on offense.
Brownwood had a total of 361 yards on offense (108 running – 253 passing).
The Brownwood Lions will host their first home game of the season next Friday when they face the Graham Steers at Gordon Wood Stadium.
Click our photo gallery below for photos from Friday’s game.
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