Turnovers lead to Byers loss
The turnover bug bit H.W. Byers big-time Friday night in a Region 1-1A game.
The Lions turned the football over four times in the first quarter at Biggersville and lost 41-0 in a game that ended at halftime due to lightning.
“We had two fumbles and two picks in the first 12 minutes of the game,” head coach Chris Daniels said. “That’s never a recipe for being successful.”
Byers fell behind 18-0 after the opening quarter and only ran a few plays due to the turnovers.
“It was a tough night,” he said. “We didn’t handle the elements well.” The bulk of the Lions’ positive statistics offensively came in the second quarter.
“We started to get a little momentum because we didn’t turn the ball over,” Daniels said.
Quarterback Michael James was seven of 11 passing for 37 yards, and he ran the football four times for 32 yards. Vincent Talley carried five times for 35 yards and had two catches for 9 yards. Houston Harris reeled in four passes for 17 yards. Chris Isom had two rushes for 15 yards and Jabarri Wright three for 10. Wright also had an 11-yard reception.
Biggersville, which lost in the state championship game a year ago, scored 23 points in the second quarter.
“In the first quarter, we gave them a short field (due to the turnovers),” Daniels said.
“In the second quarter, they got some big plays on us. We were gambling defensively, blitzing, and they made the right calls.”
In its two losses this year, to Okolona and Biggersville, Byers has turned the ball over nine times.
“That’s a lot,” Daniels said. “It’s unacceptable.”
The Lions (5-2 overall and 2-2 in the district) are still alive in the post-season chase. Next up is a long road trip to Smithville. The Seminoles are 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the district, coming off a 29-0 win over Falkner last week.
“We need to win two of these last three,” Daniels said. “Smithville has a rich tradition of success in football. We can’t turn the football over. The kids see that. When we don’t turn the ball over, we win.
“We need a good week of practice. We have to go to work and play mistake-free football.” Byers then closes the regular season with district games versus Thrasher and Tupelo Christian, both at home.