Published: October 30, 2009 12:28 am      

Lions to spring revamped defense

A revamped Greenville defense will try to contain Richardson Pearce’s vaunted passing attack during tonight’s District 10-4A football game at Eagle-Mustang Stadium in Richardson.

The Lions had to make several changes in the starting lineup on defense to replace all-district linebacker Tristian Farley, who must sit out this week after sustaining a concussion and a neck sprain in last week’s 42-16 victory over R.L. Turner of Carrollton.

Before Farley’s injury with 1:54 left in the third quarter the Lions were up 35-3. R.L. Turner scored both of its touchdowns during Farley’s absence.

Mikey Riskey and Desjuan Morgan, who usually play defensive back, will man linebacker positions alongside regular starter Ezekiel Prado.

Alton Dennis, also the Lions’ starting quarterback, will start at free safety to shore up the secondary. He’ll join regular starters Cobbie Johnson, Dominque Mitchell and Ladrien Green.

Greenville’s defense, which is allowing 337.9 yards per game, is facing a potent Pearce offense that averages 494.2 yards. Pearce quarterback Caleb Lewis is among the district’s top passers, completing 159 of 226 attempts for 2,375 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Lewis was 16-of-24 for 346 yards and five touchdowns during Pearce’s 54-14 victory over the Lions last year in Greenville.

Lewis also has three talented receivers to throw to, including Blake Jumonville (43-808, 6 TDs), Jake Allen (42-627, 7 TDs) and Josh Gold (43-565, 7 TDs).

Greenville will counter with the running and passing of Dennis, who is closing in on a 1,000-1,000 season. Dennis has already topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark with 1,050 yards and eight touchdowns on 118 carries and is 50-of-108 for 723 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Dennis rushed for 106 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries in last week’s victory and was 9-of-18 passing for 121 yards and one touchdown.

Jeffro Davis spelled Dennis at quarterback in the fourth quarter last week, throwing for a season-long 95-yard touchdown pass to Jarvis Bruner. Bruner’s averaging 24.3 yards per reception with 13 catches for 316 yards.

Devonte Green led the Lions in catches last week with seven for 93 yards and is the Lions’ leading receiver for the season with 25 catches for 433 yards and two touchdowns.

A victory would keep the Lions’ playoff hopes alive. They’re tied with Rockwall for fifth place in the District 10-4A standings at 2-3. Pearce is alone in fourth place with a 3-2 mark. The top four teams in 10-4A will advance to the playoffs.