Lions score five times against McKinney
August 23, 2008

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE -- Greenville’s Lions scored five touchdowns during their scrimmage against McKinney on Friday night at T.A. “Cotton” Ford Stadium but also gave up five fumbles.

“We’re not disciplined enough yet,” said Greenville’s new coach Jim Phillips. “We’ve got to stay disciplined.”

Greenville wound up with a 5-3 edge in touchdowns though McKinney scored once in a goal line series when Greenville did not. The host Lions held a 486-329 advantage in total yards.

This was the Greenville Lions’ final preseason scrimmage before they open the season on Friday at Forney.

Tailback Dakieston Williams and quarterback Alton Dennis, who both topped the 100-yard rushing mark last week, nearly did it again against McKinney.

Williams ran for 137 yards on 12 carries, scoring on a 65-yard burst. Williams sprinted through a big hole and worked his way to the right corner of the end zone to avoid a hard-charging defensive back.

Dennis rushed for 95 yards on 10 carries, scoring on runs of 50 and 17 yards.

Dennis was also 3-of-8 passing for 94 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Johnson.

Tristan Farley also ran for a 45-yard touchdown for the Lions.

Greenville’s pass defense, which surrendered 285 yards last week to Sulphur Springs’ highly-touted quarterback Tyrik Rollison, fared much better against McKinney, giving only seven completions in 28 attempts for 134 yards, including touchdowns of 65 and 10 yards.

The Lions picked off three passes during McKinney’s first 12-play series. Chris Carter, Manon Steward and DaShaun Thomas.

Greenville lost a fumble on its first play but then scored in two plays, including a 20-yard run by Williams and a 50-yarder keep by Dennis.

“I thought our first series we looked as good as anybody in the country,” said Phillips.

The two teams matched touchdowns during two live quarters of action. McKinney went on a six-play, 64-yard scoring drive with its first possession in live action and then booted the extra point.

Greenville had a 59-yard touchdown run called back by a holding penalty before the Lions marched 74 yards in nine plays, capped by Dennis’ 17-yard touchdown run on what appeared to be a busted play. The Lions muffed the extra point with an errant snap from center.

“Our kicking game, we don’t have much put in right now,” said Phillips.

McKinney had a 54-yard touchdown pass at the end of the scrimmage called back by a holding penalty.