Lions win the Bog-Off Bowl

By Kaye Collins

The first game of the 2025 football season is set as the Bog-Off Bowl IV for the Loris Lions and the Green Sea Floyds Trojans. It was held at the Green Sea Floyds High School (GSFHS) football field on Friday, Aug. 22, beginning kick-off at 7:30 p.m.

The Lions accumulated all their points in under 20 minutes during the first half. By the middle of the second quarter, most of the starters had been substituted out and the second half was conducted with a running clock.

Todd started as quarterback for the initial series, which was brief, as Roderick Purcha (4) WR/OLB sprinted 44 yards for a touchdown on the Lions’ opening play.

Loris showcased equal strength in defense, spearheaded by 6-foot-3, 300-pound Damarea (Baby Grady) Thurmond (74) OL/DL, 6-foot-4, 260-pound Jay Wilson (64) OL/DL, and freshman linebacker Ethan Shaw (48) HB/ILB. Additionally, sophomore linebacker Jay Dalton Todd (12) MLB/QB made a significant play by returning an interception for a touchdown. Furthermore, special teams’ kicker Jagger Suggs (18) K/P contributed with three touchbacks aiding Loris in maintaining control of field position.

Head Coach Greg Mance watched as the players ran, threw and played great defense. He shared that the Special Teams were exceptional.

Makel Stephens (3) LB/RB completed a five-yard run to finish off a four-play, 40-yard drive, making the score 14-0 in under five minutes into the game. Zamire ‘Moon’ Gerald (7) QB threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Hardee, the sole play of the drive, which increased the Lions’ advantage to 21-0.

Immediately following the Trojans’ unsuccessful gamble on a fourth and one from their own 28-yard line, Moon launched a 28-yard touchdown pass to Khalid Sherman (0) WR/DB, increasing the lead to 28-0 with 1:45 remaining in the first quarter.

After Khalil Sherman intercepted the ball, Stephens sprinted 38 yards to the Green Sea Floyds seven-yard line and scored on the subsequent play, bringing the score to 35-0 at the start of the second quarter.

The Lions found themselves in the end zone once more just 10 seconds later, as Todd returned an interception for a 17-yard touchdown.

Green Sea Floyds finally scored when quarterback Jack Shelley linked up with Judah Lee for a 65-yard touchdown pass. However, this was only a brief respite as Moon once more connected with Hardee, this time for an 18-yard touchdown pass with 7:15 left in the half. Purcha added a 32-yard touchdown run to round out the scoring with 4:10 left in the first half.

The primary concern for Loris was the nine penalties that amounted to 80 yards. Among these, two penalties nullified a 32-yard touchdown by Todd and a 90-yard kickoff return by Grim Lewis (1) WR/DB.

Quarterback Moon Gerald threw three touchdown passes, while Roderick Purcha and Deuce Stephens each rushed for two touchdowns, leading the Lions to a dominant 56-7 victory over their rivals, Green Sea Floyds, in the annual Bog-Off Bowl.

The Lions were presented with the Bog-Off Bowl trophy after the game.

Glenn Hardee with Loris Broadcasting provided the stats of the game. In the 56 to 7 game with the Lions coming out on top there were 14 first downs for the Lions and 7 for the Trojans. The Trojans had 2 turnovers to Loris. Loris had 29 rushes and 259 yards to the Trojans 14 rushes. The Trojans QB was sacked once during the game. Loris gained 339 total yards while GSF had 46. Loris sadly received 10 penalties and 75 lost yards to the Trojans 3 penalties and 15 yards. The Lions had 3 third down conversions to GSF 1.

Purcha (4) 3 rushing at 76 yards, 2 touchdowns (44, 32 yards) Sherman (2) with one rushing at 17 yards. Stephens (3) 5 rushing 63 yards, 2 touchdowns (5, 7 yards), Tisdale (43) had 5 rushing with 4 yards. Todd (12) 6 rushing and 55 yards. Gore (24) 3 rushing and 5 yards. Brown (10) 1 rushing for 3 yards, Bostic (21) 1 rushing at 4 yards, Brown (10) 3 rushing at 3 yards, Gurnells (7) 6 rushing at 7 yards, Brown (4) 2 rushing for 5 yards, Shelley (13) 2 rushing for 6 yards, McClellan (6) 1 rushing for 2 yards and Phillips (3) 3 rushing for 2 yards. Receiving was Sherman (0) 1/28, 1 touchdown at 28 yards, Lewis (1) 1/40, 1 touchdown at 40 yards, Hardee (6) 2/12, 1 touchdown with 18 yards, Fowler (2) 1/5, Grunnells 3/6, McClellan 1/-1 and Lee (1) 2/61 with 1 touchdown at 65 yards. Scores by quarters first quarter Lions 28, Trojans 0. Second quarter Lions 28, Trojans 7. Third and fourth quarter score 0 for the Lions and 0 for the Trojans.

Series States, Loris 1-0, GSF 0-1, Loris leads in the series 39-5 in 44 games, LHS PTG Moon 3-5/86 yards, 3 touchdowns (28,40 and 18 yards). Loris Lions have won the fourth straight Bog-Off Bowl.

The Loris Lions varsity team thanks the cheerleaders, coaches, fans and faculty for traveling to Trojan territory to view the game. Hearing the cheers keep their moral up and it is greatly appreciated. Those who fed the players and cheerleaders before the game are appreciated for their efforts to help substantiate the team.

The LBI Radio hosts Glenn Hardee and Mike Suggs named Moon Gerald player of the week.

For those who cannot attend the games in person, there are multiple ways to watch or listen to the game live. You can tune in to the radio at 1240 AM, 106.7 FM, or 94.5 FM. additionally, online streaming is available at www.Talkradiomb.com. You can also download the TuneIn Mobile App and search for Talk 94.5 to listen on your smartphone. Or visit YouTube sports channel to watch the games live search for Sports Match TV.

The Loris Lions will travel to Conway on Friday, Aug. 29, to face the Tigers. The Trojans host Lamar Thunder. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.