Even for the undefeated and defending district champs, not everything is going to go your way.
No. 6 Lisbon was simply average for a half Friday, Sept. 20, at Highland High School near Riverside. But the Lions got things going in the final two quarters and won, 49-6.
“It was not great,” Lisbon coach Dylan Hastings said of the 14-6 halftime lead. “The coaching staff was a little bit frustrated.
“We were just missing some opportunities. It was there, we just had to trust what we were coached to do, and we saw that in the second half.”
The Lions made sure the Huskies got a lethal double dose of running back Tiernan Boots, who ran for 266 yards on 20 carries, and quarterback Dakota Clark, who ran for 123 yards on 15 carries. The pair scored all seven touchdown (four for Boots).
“The offensive line started to get their job done,” Hastings said. “Then it was as simple as Dakota and Tiernan running north and south.”
Having a pair of state track stars in the backfield helps. Clark had TD runs of 54 yards and 51 yards among his scores.
“Dakota is an athlete,” Hastings said. “With the ball in his hands, he can be electric. He trusted himself and his O-line.”
And, of course, Boots is tied for sixth among all classes and is tops in Class A with 822 rushing yards.
“Tiernan just runs through tackles,” Hastings said. It took a while to get going Friday because the Huskies kept moving defenders around.
“They were trying to play a little chess match with us,” Hastings said. “They tried to take away Tiernan. That’s when Dakota took over.”
And after the first quarter touchdown, which was set up by a 72-yard halfback pass from Logan McFarland to Landon Roling, Highland (2-2) didn’t really threaten the Lions much again.
“We got caught sleeping,” Hastings said. “But we fixed that. I’m happy with the way we fought through some adversity.”
The Lisbon defense forced seven 3-and-outs and stopped another drive with a fumble recovery by Gage Holub.
Jacob Walerius led the defensive attack from his linebacker spot. He had 11 solo tackles, nine assists and 3.5 tackles for loss.
“He had a great game,” Hastings said. “He’s a big strong kid. All our linebackers did a great job.”
And now, another big District showdown Friday, Sept. 27, against No. 10 Pekin (4-0).
It will be Senior Night, too. The final home game of the season is actually Oct. 11 vs. Danville, but that’s Homecoming.
“We had to flip flop,” Hastings said. “The boys minds are focused on football, and it is great to have guys like that.
“This Friday is two 4-0 teams. It is a great opportunity and we’re excited.”