Rose Garden Resident

Sports

Lions come close, but lose 28-27 to Leigh

By Kevin Sparrer

Sometimes the outcome isn't always the best, but at least the battle is exciting. For two weeks in a row now, Lincoln's football team has lost by a narrow margin, but both weeks the Lions battled from behind to come close to the victory.

Lincoln fell 28-27 to Leigh on Oct. 21, despite a strong attempt at a comeback late in the game. A week earlier, the Lions lost 28-26 to Pioneer.

Lincoln made its first attempt at a comeback in the second quarter after falling behind 12-0 with Leigh missing both extra points. With a drive lasting about four minutes, the Lions ran 13 plays for 61 yards and the first Lion score when quarterback Tarik Hakmi snuck in from one yard out to bring the score to 12-6.

Leigh answered right back, scoring on its very next drive and succeeding on the two-point conversion to extend the lead to 20-6. But the Lions came back immediately, throwing one incomplete pass before handing the ball to Chris Mendoza who broke a 65-yard touchdown run up the left sideline for another Lincoln score. After kicking the extra point, the Lions were only back 20-13.

Neither team was able to score again in the first half, but the Lions came out strong to open the second half. On its very first drive, Lincoln went 65 yards on 11 plays with Mendoza running the ball in from four yards out to bring the Lions within one at 20-19.

After the ball changed hands a few more times, Lincoln mounted another offensive threat using momentum from a pass interception by Armando Esparza. Esparza picked off a Leigh pass on the Lincoln 1-yard line, saving the Lions from another Leigh score.

Lincoln went 99 yards on only eight plays before Mendoza broke another long run for a score. Mendoza this time ran 71 yards for the touchdown and Hakmi connected with Tevita Mendoza on the two-point conversion to give the lead to Lincoln, 27-20.

Leigh attempted to drive, but Esparza picked off another pass and the Lions held on to the momentum they had gained.

Unfortunately for the Lions, they fell prey to the hook and ladder that gave the Longhorns 52 yards on a single play. Only a few plays later Leigh was able to put the ball in the end zone with only 2:15 left in the game and completed the two-point conversion pass to take back the lead and eventually the win 28-27.

Lincoln had a strong attempt to come back again, but after being hit hard twice and getting up slowly both times, a pass from Hakmi was picked off on the Leigh 35. The Longhorns knelt the ball down to end the game.

Mendoza carried the ball 25 times for 259 yards and the two scores. Michael Fleet supported with 16 carries 91 yards.

Hakmi ran for only eight yards, but was able to score once and completed two passes for 13 yards.

Alex Ortega also carried the ball for the Lions, running seven times for 52 yards.

Defensively, it was Viliami Lavakeiaho who did the majority of the work with 11 tackles, while Javier Reyes followed close behind with nine. Esparza was also a force on defense, picking off two passes and bringing down five Longhorns. Mendoza and Havea Lasike also had five stops apiece for the Lions.

Lincoln is hoping to break its losing streak when the Lions travel to Piedmont Hills on Oct. 27 for a 7 p.m. kick-off. The Lions are 1-3 in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League and Piedmont is 3-1.