St. Mark's Lions Break the Wings of Fort Worth Country Day Falcons

The St. Mark's Lions looked strong again in its second game of the year against Fort Worth Country Day in West Fort Worth.  After receiving the kickoff, the offense started with a nice pass from Joe Bush over the middle to Luke Williams.  That drive stalled shortly thereafter and FWCD took over on offense.  

Although FWCD was able to make a first down on running plays, Jimmy Papin cleans up and made the first of many great defensive plays in the game with a tackle in the backfield for a big loss. FWCD had a long run up the middle, but Lions defense stiffened and stopped FWCD on 4th and 1.  

After a nice run by Malcolm Bowman, Bush hit Cameron Kline over the middle for a first down reception.  John Caldwell caught a long pass from Bush inside the 10.  Bowman and Kline had a couple of strong runs, followed by an incomplete pass. Lions were 4th and goal from the three yard line. Time out St. Mark's. Precisely timed movements and strong blocking up front as well as down field allowed Bush to hand off to Kline for a touchdown run.

FWCD took over possession and moved the ball on a long pass and several runs up the middle. Again, our Lions stepped up to the challenge. Tackles in the backfield allowed Dillard Pinkston to bat down a FWCD pass attempt. FWCD missed a field goal attempt. St. Mark's took over possession but was stopped on a three and out ending the first quarter.

The mighty Lion defense forced FWCD to a three and out. Their punt was short and out of bounds. Bush hit Bowman on a center screen for good yardage and Kline avoided a tackle picking up a needed first down. Another Bush specialty pass was completed to Kline for another first down, followed quickly by an additional first down with Kline doing a juggling act.  Two good runs by both Bowman and Bush, and two more runs for Kline and Bowman preceded a St. Mark's fumble near the FWCD goal line.

FWCD completed a long pass, nevertheless, Lions defense held their own, and with immense pressure from the front seven, forced a three and out. Bush connected with Kline, who broke a tackle and charged down the sideline for a first down. Bowman followed with a stellar cutback run, Caldwell with a 9-yard catch, and another extra effort run by Bowman earned St. Mark's a first down. Bush found Pinkston over the middle for another touchdown.

After tough defense by both teams, FWCD took over and put in a new quarterback.  Immediately, Will Perkins came up with a brilliant interception.  With continued strong blocking up front, Bush hit Williams for one first down and Kline for another first down.  A very nice scrambling run by Bush and a quick pass over the middle to Kline for a first down landed the Lions on the three yard line. Kendrick Spraglin ran an excellent fade route and a perfect pass from Bush resulted in another touchdown.  After stops by St. Mark's, Ardis Graham broke up the last play of the first half which was dominated by St. Mark's 21-0.

Second half began with FWCD running and two St. Mark's defensive penalties, but the front seven again stopped the FWCD offense on a fourth down and 4 to go.  Bowman followed with three strong runs and came up just short of a first down. 

FWCD got the ball back on a St. Mark's punt.  After two illegal procedure penalties on FWCD, St. Mark's stopped them again.  Bush passed to Kline for a completed 9-yard pass, but the Lions were stopped again and were forced to punt.  

After a long pass attempt missed by FWCD, Reid Thompson picked up a fumble and rambled into the end zone for a St. Mark's touchdown with 3:08 left in the third quarter. Despite the ensuing penalty, this reporter liked the celebration! On the next possession, Harrison Hewitt broke up a pass forcing another FWCD punt.  On the second play from scrimmage, Bush hit Caldwell for another very long completion down to the 40 yard line. There was a quick strike by Bush to Kline for another first down and two bruising runs by Bowman to the 26.  Bush showed poise in the pocket waiting for the route to open and hit Kline on a slant for a 26-yard touchdown reception, giving St. Mark's an insurmountable 35-0 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Lions backup defense bent briefly with good gains by FWCD's running backs, but they did not break and held FWCD on third and fourth downs.  

John Webb came in at quarterback and completed a pass to Stephen Rambin for ten yards and then Bowman made a heads-up play catching a tipped pass. FWCD was flagged for 15 yards.  Webb made a nice option read and pitched to Kline for five yards. St. Mark's was also flagged for 15 yards, but the drive stalled, and St. Mark's got a nice roll on a punt.  

After another strong stand by St. Mark's defense, FWCD punted and Hewitt made a nice catch on the return.  Webb hit Bowman for a first down on a flair pass. Bowman ran well twice more with Webb kneeling for the victory.

Again, can't say enough about the teamwork, camaraderie, and tenacity.  Like before, the pass protection and run blocking came through when it counted most.  The defensive shutout was a sight to see. Responding to the ball quickly and continued pressure led to another defensive touchdown as well as a takeaway and numerous quick stands getting the ball back to the offense.

Let's say it again.

We're back!  Keep it up!  FAST and PHYSICAL!!!




Recap by Greg Kline
All errors and omissions are the fault of the editor- who shall remain anonymous.


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