Lions roar to victory in second half

The H.W. Byers Lions “gained confidence” in the second half, their new head coach said, and in turn they handed him a season-opening win.

The home game Thursday night against neighboring Marshall County rival Byhalia was scoreless at intermission, but Byers tallied three touchdowns in the last 24 minutes and won 20-0.

“I’m new, and I have to get them to believe,” coach Mario Lane said. “A win helps them to believe.” The Lion defense held the Indians on a fourth and four near midfield in the third quarter. Five plays later Byers quarterback Corey Willis scrambled out of the pocket and found an open Derrick Malone for a 30-yard touchdown. Willis also kicked the extra point.

In the fourth, Kesean Lafrance darted 28 yards for the Lions to the Byhalia 15. Willis performed the scoring honors on a 2-yard plunge and then added the extra point. It was 14-0 with 3:59 remaining.

Byers’ Andreco O’Neal had his second tackle-for-loss on Byhalia’s next possession, and after the Indians failed on another fourth-down try, the Lions quickly added more points.

On first and 10, Lafrance found running room up the middle and raced 54 yards to close the scoring.

Coach Lane credited his offensive and defensive linemen with a strong second half performance as the defense completed the shutout and the offense found the end zone three times.

“We started making plays,” he said. “We got some push on offense, and we were also able to loosen them up some with the pass.”

The Indians, led by the running of Aaron Jeffries and Christen Wilson, kept the ball for eight minutes on the opening possession of the game and got as far as the Byers 15 before the drive stalled. The first half was riddled with flags on both teams, and they swapped turnovers early in the second quarter. Byhalia fumbled the ball away at the Byers 17.

The Lions had two touchdowns called back due to penalties on their final possession of the first half.

“When you stay strong and keep pushing, you see what happens,” Coach Lane told his excited 1A squad after their win over the 4A Indians.

Byers visits Holly Springs this Friday night, while Byhalia hosts Independence.