The Mount Ida Lions got off to a stormy start Friday night, taking a 20-6 lead into the half. A lengthy weather delay led to a less than spectacular performance by the home team who was able to hold on for a 20-14 victory over the McCrory Jaguars.
The Lions welcomed the defending 2A State Champion Jaguars into Preston Stidman Field for the season opener for both teams.
Mount Ida played well defensively at times, recovering four fumbles and catching an interception.
Mount Ida capped their first drive of the night with a one yard touchdown run by Drayton Standridge. Chandler Perkins hit the PAT to give the Lions a seven point lead with 6:17 left in the first quarter.
McCrory responded with a 22 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Reece Rushing to Travis Thompson. The two point conversion failed and Mount Ida clung to a one point lead.
The Lions would score with 3:22 to go in the first half on a one yard run by Jacob Woodfield. The PAT failed and the Lions increased their lead to seven.
The recovered a fumble on the ensuing kick off to set up another scoring drive before the half ended. Quarterback Karter Rowton trotted in from 15 yards out for the touchdown. Perkins nailed the PAT to give the Lions a 20-6 lead with 2:26 left in the half.
McCrory ended the half with a pass into the endzone, but Ben Woodfield dashed their hopes with an interception to end the half.
Storm clouds crept into the area as the first half drew to a close and lightening caused a lengthy delay during halftime. When play resumed the Lions marched downfield to the Jaguar 15 yard line before penalties forced a lengthy field goal attempt which drifted wide left.
McCrory controlled the tempo of the game for most of the second half, but the Lions were able to hold them to one touchdown and a two-point conversion to preserve the win.
Lane Nolen recovered two fumbles for the Lions. Ramsey Gilbert and Jacob Woodfield recovered one Jaguar fumble each. Ben Woodfield was responsible for the interception.
See next week’s issue of the Montgomery County News for a more comprehensive breakdown of the game.
