Lions head to Newberry for round 3 of playoffs

By Kaye Collins

The Loris Lions (12-0) advance in the playoffs after taking down the Orangeburg-Wilkinson Bruins at Heniford Field on Friday, Nov. 14, with a 56-20 win. Despite an impressive performance during the regular season the Orangeburg-Wilkinson Bruins were unable to translate that success into their playoff game as the Lions leaned on a running game and their defensive team.

Translating regular season achievements into playoff success can be challenging, yet the Lions managed to do so effortlessly Friday night. They dominated the Bruins throughout all four quarters. The Lions have secured 11 wins by over 20 points this season, Friday’s stampede was not an unexpected outcome.

Loris didn’t go easy on the Bruins quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Khalid Sherman (0) and Khalil Sherman (2), notoriously referred to as the ‘twins’. Khalid got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.

Loris runningback Deuce Stephens (3) carried the ball 18 times, gaining 252 yards and scoring four touchdowns, leading the undefeated Lions victory in the second round of the Class 3A state playoffs. Stephens completed a 38-yard touchdown run, extending the Lions lead to 14-0 with 5:13 remaining in the first quarter. The Lions led 21-0 at halftime.

The Lions are performing exceptionally, managing to overpower a 10-win team even with Moon Gerald throwing two interceptions, Roderick Purcha (4) losing a fumble, and a snap going over the punter’s head. Gerald completed touchdown passes of 17 yards to Purcha and 10 yards to Mykhai Bell (5), who additionally recovered a fumble in the end zone after Gerald lost the ball just before reaching the goal line.

The Bruins (10-2) struggled with the Lions pooch kickoff throughout the evening, beginning with the opening play of the game, which was recovered by Jay Dalton Todd. Three plays later Stephens was in the end zone. The Bruins defeat ended their four-game streak of away wins and brought them to 10-2. As for the Lions, the win keeps them at an undefeated 12-0.

The Lions maintained their momentum in the second half, highlighted by a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown executed by Khalid Sherman. They restricted the Bruins to merely a 4-yard touchdown run executed by quarterback Brenden Peoples until the last few minutes of the match.

“Tonight, their athletes were as fast as we were,” Mance said. “They got in the passing lanes and we made a couple of bad decisions. Moon didn’t have his best game tonight. But he made sure we got the ball to which ever side we wanted it to go.” The Lions averaged 48.9 points per game this season

Loris’ victory maintains their undefeated record at 12-0. This success is partly attributed to their offensive capabilities during this period.

Although losing is always disappointing, the Bruins shouldn’t be too disheartened considering their significant disadvantage in the MaxPreps South Carolina football rankings listed at 63rd as the Lions hold the 20th position. The Bruins featured Shrine Bowl linebacker Jordan Avinger among others who fought valiantly attempting to overpower the Lions.

The Lions will travel to Newberry, South Carolina, on Friday, Nov. 21, to go up against the Newberry Bulldogs. The two teams have allowed few points on average with the Lions 12 and the Bulldogs 13.6, any points scored will be well earned. The Bulldogs have scored at least 31 points in each of their last five games.

Many hardcore Lions family, friends and fans will travel the near three hour drive to Newberry to watch the Lions play round 3 of the playoffs. A charter bus will be available for fans wishing to go to the game Friday night. Contact Paula Waton (Grimm Lewis’ grandmother) at 910-234-2560 to reserve a seat, the round trip cost is $20 per person, the bus will leave Hill’s Grocery parking lot at 2:30 p.m. Payment must be submitted by noon on Thursday, Nov. 20. The seats have filled up quickly. Out of the 42 seats only 14 remain available.

Lions fans who are not able to travel to the game can listen live to Loris Broadcasting Radio Sports with Glenn Hardee and Mike Suggs providing play-by-play action from the field. Listen on Talk 94.5 (talkradiomb.com), WTKN FM 106.7 or WLSQAM 1240. Their pre-game show begins at 6:30 p.m., game time is 7:30 p.m. and post-game follows before signing off on Friday night.