After four straight loses midway through the season, the Lions’ varsity football team finished the season with a strong win over the Episcopal School of Dallas, 21-14. With ESD moving to the 3A division of the Southwest Preparatory Conference next year, this year’s game was the final time the two programs meet as division rivals. The teams are scheduled to play next year in an early-season nonconference matchup. The Lions (5-5, 1-4 SPC) entered the game coming off a close lose to Episcopal High School of Houston in their Homecoming game the week before. Meanwhile, the Eagles (3-6, 0-5 SPC) had lost five straight games. Although the Lions won last year’s football game in a 28-27 thriller, the Eagles had won the previous 11 contests between the two programs.
The Lions’ defense forced a quick three-and-out to start the game. Seizing early momentum, the offense then marched 68 yards in just seven plays as quarterback Blaize Schuhmacher scored on a quarterback sneak to the the Lions an early 7-0 lead. The Eagles’ offense responded by driving the ball down the field, but the Lions’ defense came up with a key fourth-down stop. The Lions offense then gained a few first downs, but stalled near midfield. Punter Henry McGill was able to pin the Eagles inside the ten-yard line, and the Lions’ defense quickly forced another stop.
Starting with good field position, the offense began to move the ball, but star running back David Dickson was forced to leave the game with a shoulder injury early in the second quarter. Replacing his older brother, sophomore back Donnell Dickson helped lead the Lions into the redzone, but the Eagles stuffed a fourth and short inside their own ten yard line for a turnover on downs. The two schools struggled for field position as both teams were forced to punt. Looking to grab momentum, the Eagles attempted a fourth-down conversion around midfield. However, junior defensive back Mac Saye broke up a pass to give the Lions the ball back. With a new spark of energy, Schuhmacher connected with Grant Kennington on a run-pass option for a 23 yard touchdown. ESD punted again as the Lions ended the half with a 14-0 lead.
The Lion got the ball to start the second half, but a fumbled snap gave the Eagles the ball at midfield. The Eagles failed to capitalize on the opportunity, and after three consecutive punts, the Lions turned the ball over on an interception. The Eagles offense finally found their stride as they wore down the Lions defense on a 60-yard drive. Miles Link capped off the drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Curtis Mathes to cut the Lions’ lead down to seven. After a Lions’ punt, the Eagles seemed to take all the momentum as Link scored on a quarterback sneak to tie the game early in the fourth quarter.
The Lions punted for the fifth time after an errant third-down snap caused the Lions to kick from their own goal line. With all the momentum, the Eagles offense started to move the ball into the Lions’ half of the field. On third and three on the Lions 40-yard line, Link looked to pass off a run-pass option, but senior defensive tackle Ben Weinstein hit Link’s arm as the quarterback attempted to pass. The ball seemed to float in the air for a few seconds before Lions’ corner Ford Robinson made a diving grab to secure an interception. Fueled by the turnover, the Lions’ offense found its footing. Schuhmacher hit wide receiver Archer Wilburn for a 47 yards, then connected on a screen pass with Donnell Dickson for a touchdown. With just a few minutes left in the game, the Eagles offense desperately tried to move the ball into scoring position. After a false start, the teams lined up for a pivotal fourth and six on the Eagles’ 40-yard line. Link hit his receiver over the middle, but Saye made an aggressive tackle to prevent any run after the catch. The Eagles were ruled to be about half a yard short of the first down, and the Lions ran for two first downs before kneeling out the clock.
Dickson finished the game with 103 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown. Schumacher went 12-19 passing for 174 yards, two passing touchdowns and one interception. He also added a rushing touchdown. Archer Wilburn lead the Lions with 90 receiving yards. Link went 21-40 passing for the Eagles with 153 yards, a passing touchdown and an interception, along with a rushing touchdown. Mathes finished the game as the Eagles’ leading receiver with nine receptions for 84 yards.
With the 21-14 victory, the Lions sent out the 11 seniors on the team with a win. The program will host an end of year banquet on Sunday, Nov. 16, to honor seniors and given out end-of-year awards.
