For the second consecutive season, the Leo Lions and Bishop Luers Knights clashed for a Week 1 battle to kick off the season. The Lions defeated the Knights 20-17 last season on the road at Luers. Last night’s game was more of a defensive showdown between the two teams. It would be a night that would be highlighted by a strong performance by Leo’s senior running back Nathan Foster.
In the first quarter, Luers sophomore quarterback Tommy Reichert and sophomore running back Brandon Gaither Jr. led a solid drive into Leo territory, but were unable to get into the endzone. The field goal attempt was blocked by Leo senior defensive back Gavin Treesh. Because of this defensive stand, the first quarter would end scoreless.
The second quarter would welcome the arrival of the speedy 5’7, 180-pound Foster for Leo Halfway through the second quarter, Foster breaks the game open with a 55-yard run that would finally put the Lions in Knights’ territory. This drive would end with Foster scoring on a 5-yd touchdown run (great block by TE Bret Sauder) with 5 minutes left in the first half. The extra point was good and the Lions were up 7-0.
The remaining 5 minutes of the half would belong to the Knights as Reichert led a solid drive that would result in a 7-yd touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Nate Javins. This would end the first half with a score of 7-7.
With Luers receiving the ball to start the second half, the first play resulted in Reichert throwing an interception to Foster. Capitalizing on the field advantage, the Lions were able to reward the turnover with an eventual 1-yd touchdown run by junior running back Paul Woods.
Other than a few first down gains by Foster, the rest of the way would be led by both defenses. Luers’ Jarron Taylor finished with a game-leading 11 tackles and Sauder/Woods led Leo with 7 tackles each on the night. It was battle between the trenches with both defenses making huge plays to keep the game close all the way until the final whistle.
Leo’s running back Foster would finish the game with 134 yards rushing, one touchdown and one interception. Luers’ Gaither ran for 81 yards, which included a 19-yard game before he missed the majority of the fourth quarter due to an undisclosed injury.
In terms of the player of the game, it would have to be Foster on both sides of the ball. I spoke with Leo head coach Jason Doerffler after the game and asked about Foster’s performance.
“Nate did a great job getting some tough yardage against a really good defense. He also came up with a huge interception on the first defensive play of the second half that really flipped the momentum and gave us a chance to play with a lead. Nate is a tremendous player and he played really well tonight. He’s primed for a big year,” coach Doerffler said.
Although they came out with the loss, Luers head coach Kyle Lindsay still remains excited about his team’s potential this season.
“We were disappointed in the outcome, but not at all by our efforts, physicality, and composure. We made some mistakes at inopportune times that stalled some drives, but beyond that, we are very excited about the potential of this team,” coach Lindsay said.
Next week, Luers will head to Andrean, meanwhile Leo will host the Angola Hornets at home.