One the Red Lion has done so well over the course of what is building up to be a pretty special regular-season winning streak has been controlling the game.
This one was different. Every time the Lions scored, Northeastern answered. It was a back-and-fourth game the team hasn't play in some time.
Yet, Red Lion managed to take home an important YAIAA Division I road victory over Northeastern, with a crazy 47-34 score.
"We learned from this," Lions coach Jesse Shay said. "One of things we talked about is that good teams find ways to win games when they are not at their best. You are not always going to have your A-1 stuff. So how are you going to win without it?"
Shay said he was quite pleased with how his players handled a game much different than what they are normally accustomed to. His team was able to rebound from watching leads disappear.
However, the coach did have some concerns and that was the big-play ability of the Bobcats.
"Our defense did not play well, but give credit to Northeastern, because they are dynamic," he said. "We were in a game where we were going to have to score a lot of points. At some point, the defense or special teams would have to do something to stem the tide. We had to do something eventually."
The Lions did that with a pair of interceptions, both of which featured nice returns. But the real back-breakers were a pair of special team plays.
Zach Crossland picked up a kickoff and returned it for a touchdown and the punt return team pounced on a botched kick in the Bobcats end zone for a touchdown.
Added Shay: "The kickoff return was huge. At at the end of the day, we got the win. I am pleased with our offensive playmakers,"
Note: watch the video above to see Crossland use his vision, speed and strength with a stiff-arm at the end of his dynamic TD return.
