The Lions make it 7 in a row with a win in dramatic fashion!

Post date: Sep 9, 2014 1:24:37 PM

Head Coach Adam Bechlem's message has been made clear: "We don't lose to Beachwood!" That was the case this past Saturday after weather postponed the rivalry Friday night. After "They" scored on their opening drive, the Orange Lion offense struck quickly with a 45 yard touchdown pass from Senior QB Stephen Borgman to Senior WR Chris Von Hendrix to even things up. As the rivals continued to battle, Borgman would again find Von Hendrix on the sidelines where he would barrel over and shake off six Bison defenders on his way to the end-zone. But just like last season, "The Team over There" would score on a last second touchdown to go ahead 19-13 as the rivals entered the locker room for half time.

When play resumed in the 3rd quarter, both teams exchanged touchdowns, but the Bison had the "all important" extra point blocked by Senior Ben Weltman. That extra point proved to be costly for "The Team over there." Even though the Bison would score again, the Orange Lions responded quickly. with just under 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter and down two scores, Stephen Borgman connected with Junior wide-out Ryan Singer on a backward lateral who pulled up and through it deep to a wide open Henry Mays, another Junior wide-out. Just as the Lions were gaining momentum, the officials suspended the game due to lightening with 6:42 left with "The Team over There" ahead 31-26.

As play resumed Saturday evening at 5pm, The Orange Lions knew they needed to overcome adversity. This meant making a stop on defense, getting the ball back into the hands of the offense, and scoring a touchdown. It came down to a 4th an 8 on Orange's own 15 yard line where the Bison had an opportunity to end the game. As the pass fell incomplete, the uproar began on the Lion's sideline. With just under 3 minutes left, the Orange Lions came out running the football. The first play from scrimmage was a 27 yard scamper down the sideline by Junior RB DaJuan White. He would continue to pound the left side of the Bison defense down the field until Junior RB Lamar Dixon and Stephen Borgman took over. Accompanied with great usage of timeouts and a slant over the middle to Henry Mays for a first down, Borgman hit Lamar Dixon on the sideline for the go ahead touchdown with 15 seconds left in the game putting the Lions up 32-31.

The sidelines erupted as players and coaches scrambled to make sure everyone was where they needed to be for the ensuing kickoff and defensive series. With just 12 seconds left, the Bison threw a tailback wheel route that was sniffed out by the Orange Defense. Senior outside linebacker, Frankie Regabluto, was locked on the running back and broke up the pass, while Junior Milan Pittmon intercepted the ball on the sideline to end the game, giving the Orange Lions their 7th win in a row (6th under Head Coach Adam Bechlem) against their cross-town rival; re-affirming that, "We don't lose to Beachwood!"

The Orange Lions look to make it 3-0 for the second consecutive season next Friday night against CVCA in The Lion's Den at 7pm.