by Elkhart Lions vs. Concord Minutemen
The Elkhart Lions were roaring and ready to start the high school football season against the Concord Minutemen this Friday night.
Elkhart played at home this week and Rice Field was full of fans from both sides. Concord made sure to come out in full force to cheer on their team, students and fans alike cheering loudly!
The home side fans were not disappointed as Elkhart was able to survive and get the win, the final score tallied up 12-7.
First Quarter
The first quarter began with a great drive down the field by the Concord Minutemen! They were able to get to the red zone and were anticipating a huge score to shock the Lions, but #1 Rodney Gates for Elkhart intercepted the ball off of a short pass and was able to put his team into a position to march down the field.
The great defensive play by Elkhart would not turn into any offense as the Lions punted the ball away on 4th down.
After a lot of strong defense from both sides, Juan Carlos Romo, #14, the DB for Elkhart got a nice pick with 2:46 left in the 1st quarter.
Second Quarter
A big play by Elkhart started the second quarter, as they threw a short screen pass that got them to the red zone! The wide receiver was chased down to the 10-yard line, a great effort from the Concord defender.
Elkhart capitalized on their awesome pass play by scoring a field goal with 10:40 left in the 2nd quarter. 3-0 Elkhart.
The Elkhart Lions’ punter/kicker Pedro Velasquez, #99, was a force to be reckoned with the entire night. He boomed the ball on a kickoff which resulted in a touchback for the Concord Minutemen.
After a fumble recovery by Concord and then a resulting punt to the 50-yard line after 4 downs, Concord had a huge sack on Elkhart QB Brady Krueper. #13 couldn’t hang onto the ball and Concord recovered the ball with 4:25 left in the 2nd.
An amazing punt by Pedro Velasquez of Elkhart pushed Concord back to the 10-yard line with 58 seconds to go in the 2nd quarter.
Concord wasn’t backing down, as QB Hunter Dutton, #10, connected with WR Jack D’Arcy, #7, on a long-ball over the defense. D’Arcy got caught at the 10-yard sideline by the Elkhart defense, but in an act of pure strength and grit, powered through the defenders to score the touchdown before the end of the half.
The extra point was good. 7-3 Concord.
3rd Quarter
The Concord Minutemen kicked off the 2nd half by putting Elkhart at the 30-yard line.
A solid push up the field came to fruition as Elkhart RB Aalias Leonard, #33, took the handoff from QB Brady Krueper, #13, for an up-the-gut 46-yard touchdown sprint!
The extra point was good. 10-7 Elkhart.
Defense was the name of the game for the remainder of the 3rd quarter. Lions LB Anthony Escobedo, #16, who put up a great defensive performance all night, sacked the Minutemen’s QB. Elkhart DL Eduardo “EJ” Aguirre had a nice tackle on Concord in the backfield. Concord also came up with a sack on Elkhart.
4th Quarter
Offense was nulled once again in the final quarter of the Elkhart Lions vs. Concord Minutemen season opener.
Concord QB Hunter Dutton had a nice pass to begin the 4th. After a punt by Concord, Elkhart RB Aalias Leonard, #33, sprinted through the defense for a 15-yard run.
Another awesome punt by Elkhart punter/kicker Pedro Velasquez, #99, forced the Minutemen to start at the 11-yard line for a fresh drive.
A BOOMING tackle by Elkhart led to an injury timeout with 6:55 left in the 4th quarter.
After an overthrown snap by the Concord center, the ball went out of bounds in the Minutemen’s red zone, giving a safety to the Elkhart Lions with 5:58 left. 12-7 Elkhart.
Concord would not give up and continued to fight until the bitter end. A beautiful long ball by Concord QB Hunter Dutton, #10, was caught in excellent fashion by WR Jack D’Arcy, #7, to get the Minutemen to the opposing 25-yard line.
However, Concord wasn’t able to score as the Elkhart defense broke up another pass from Concord QB Hunter Dutton, #10, to his favorite target, WR Jack D’Arcy, #7. Turnover on downs by Concord with 1:56 left in the 4th quarter.
Elkhart RB Aalias Leonard, #33, cemented the Lions’ victory with a huge run up the gut to the Concord 45-yard line.
Elkhart ran out the remaining time left and won the game 12-7.
Players of the Game
Elkhart Lions
RB Aalias Leonard #33
Elkhart’s go-to runner. His rushes were powerful and seemed to tire the defense out. Will definitely be a star player for the Lions this season.
Stats: 1 touchdown. 20 carries, 143 yards (7.2 average, 46 long). 1 reception, 14 yards. 157 all-purpose yards.
Honorable Mention
Punter/Kicker Pedro Velasquez #99
Had an absolute boot of a leg and was precise with where he laid his kicks down. Put the Concord defense into very tough spots. Could see him kicking at the college level.
Concord Minutemen
QB Hunter Dutton #10
Managed his team very well. He looked poised all night, putting the ball in nice spots for his receivers. Has a strong arm that can get his receivers open downfield or find them in the short game. Never backed down, held his head up high. What a quarterback/leader should be.
Honorable Mention
WR Jack D’Arcy #7
He was the go-to receiver for his quarterback, Hunter Dutton. His passion for the game was great to see. The pure grit he showed to muscle through the Elkhart defense on the sideline and score Concord’s only touchdown was my favorite play of the game.
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