Published: October 13, 2009 12:12 am      

Big game ahead for Lions

GREENVILLE — Friday night’s encounter with Newman Smith of Carrollton is a really big football game for the Greenville Lions.

Not only is it homecoming, which traditionally brings out the best in the Lions, but it’s also a key District 10-4A game for Greenville, which with a victory can stay in the thick of the race for four playoff spots.

After outscoring Royse City 45-28 on Friday night, the Lions rank sixth in the 10-4A standings at 1-2. But they’re only a game behind four teams that are all tied for second place at 2-1. Rockwall-Heath, Richardson Pearce, Newman Smith and Rockwall are all tied for second behind 3-0 Highland Park.

“If we play we’ve got a legit chance,” said Lions coach Jim Phillips.

The Lions rolled up 504 total yards against Royse City, including 415 yards rushing. They’re averaging 409.5 yards per game to rank among the most productive Class 4A offenses in the Metroplex.

Quarterback Alton Dennis ran for a season-high 251 yards on 16 carries, scoring on an 83-yard burst to get the Lion offense to a fast start against the Bulldogs. Dennis ranks among the top 4A rushers in the Metroplex with 820 yards and six touchdowns on 84 carries. He’s rushed for 1,778 yards in his three-year varsity career.

The senior also went 6-of-14 passing against Royse City, including touchdown throws of 39 yards to Jarvis Bruner and 15 yards to Dijoun Sheppard. Dennis is 35-of-76 passing for 637 yards and six touchdowns this season.

L’jorian Harris, in a relief role, led the Lion rushers against Royse City with 82 yards on nine carries while starter Dakieston Williams ran for 72 yards on 13 carries. Williams scored on runs of six and one yard. The senior running back has rushed for 1,846 yards and 19 touchdowns in his three-year varsity career.

The Lions will be facing a dangerous Newman Smith team whose only two losses have been to No. 2 state-ranked Denton Guyer (34-28) and No. 6 state-ranked Highland Park (56-35).

Newman Smith’s beaten Keller Central (41-21), Irving (35-3), Carrollton rival R.L. Turner (48-6) and Rockwall-Heath (28-14).

“They’re loaded,” said Phillips. “That receiver’s as good as anybody I’ve seen in the country. The quarterback’s good. The running back’s good. They look a lot like us.”

Wide receiver Al Lasker is averaging 27.3 yards per catch with 20 catches for 546 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Quarterback Aldo Quiroga is 72-of-115 passing for 1,104 yards and 12 touchdowns and has run for 519 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries.

Running back Randall Joyner is the Trojans’ second-leading rusher with 511 yards and 12 touchdowns on 81 carries.

Quiroga threw for 141 yards and two touchdowns, both of them to Lasker, in the Trojans’ 34-14 victory over the Lions last year in Carrollton. Quiroga also ran for 48 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Joyner ran for 60 yards on 19 carries in that game.

Greenville lost two interceptions and a fumble against Newman Smith. Dennis rushed for 87 yards on 12 carries and was 8-of-15 passing for 69 yards. Williams finished with 105 yards rushing and one touchdown on 19 carries.

Phillips tried to take some of the pressure off the Lions before last week’s game with a more relaxed approach in pre-game preparation for the week. He plans to take the same approach this week. He’s told the Lions, “Take care of Greenville. Don’t worry about anything else.”

He’s also warned them to not get too caught up in the homecoming celebrations.

“Don’t let homecoming beat us,” he said.

Greenville has won 12 of its last 16 homecoming games though falling 35-10 to Royse City last year. The Lions won 11 straight homecoming games from 1992 though 2002, beating some undefeated and state-ranked teams during that stretch.