Lions hand DeGar his first win as coach
Yates attacked its coach, Troy DeGar, with water bottles and an ice chest.
The Lions had just defeated Madison 45-7 on Saturday in the South Side Classic at Butler Stadium.
It was a hot day on the sideline for DeGar and his players, but the water was just as cool as the victory.
“That was a great feeling,” said DeGar on the water bath after the win. “My staff put together a great game plan, and these kids believed in it. We went out and executed. We have some stuff to work on, but I tell you what, it’s a start, and I think we’re heading into the right direction.
Communities from the Third Ward and Hiram Clarke cheered for their respective teams as they looked to grab bragging rights for a year in the city of Houston.
It was the first win of the season for Yates (1-1) and for DeGar, who is in his first season coaching the Lions after coming over from Lamar.
Madison (1-1) gets its first loss of the season.
Yates capitalized on Madison’s mistake on the Marlins’ first offensive possession of the game.
A bad snap on a punt went behind the punter’s head, and Yates’ Ju’darious Andrus picked up the ball for a 31-yard scoop-and-score. After a nixed extra point kick,
Yates led Madison 6-0 with 9:12 left in the first quarter.
The Lions had four interceptions in the game, and Andrus also had a 101-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second half. Randy Masters had a 96-yard interception as well in the game.
“We gave up seven points and let them move the ball a little bit,” DeGar said. “We’re going to have
to fix some things when we watch film. Ultimately, I think our kids played well and together. They were on a mission.”
The Marlins answered with an 11-yard touchdown run by Damon Jones. Madison took advantage of three straight offsides penalties by Yates to set up the touchdown.
Jones ran hard all night despite the score.
The Marlins running back 182 yards on 33 carries for Madison
On Yates’ fourth offensive play of the game, quarterback Dominick Martin for a 2-yard touchdown run.
De’Mario Albert set up the score after a 52-yard run through the Marlins’ defense.
Albert scored his first touchdown of the game after a 39-yard run that put the Lions up 19-17 with 5:49 left in the second quarter and eclipsed 100 yards on his third carry of the game.
Albert finished the game with 11 carries 301 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He had two fumbles in the game but handled adversity and still was able to make plays for the Lions.
“We tell our kids that adversity is going to come,” DeGar said. “It’s going to be a pattern in life for anybody. It’s going to teach us a lot and how to handle success. We want to be a next play-type team. We don’t want to get caught up in the lows. We don’t want to get to high, and we want to stay evenkeel and understand the next play can put you in a chance to win the game.”
The Lions never looked back outscored the Marlins 20-0 in the second half.
Albert was all over the field and made plays. DeGar thinks he has found his lead running back, but there’s still time before district play starts.
“All throughout camp, we have been going by committee to find that guy,” DeGar said. “Last week, he emerged as a threat, and we felt that he could make some plays for us. He did what he does. We want to build off this and continue moving. We can win on the football field, but we also need to win in the classroom as well.”