Lions Pull Out A Rotten Apple But Survive 27-18

By 250 Sports

Lions Pull Out A Rotten Apple but survive 27-18... By John Goodwin

With both teams desperate for a win, the Bombers stinging after last weeks schooling by the Leos and the game in Vancouver being a back to back affair, one might think that familiarity would breed a little contempt for this tilt.

For those fans who live for, indeed salivate and savor those helmet slamming, bone breaking gridiron battles in the mud and the blood, they would get full value for their appreciating dollar this night as both benches were scrambling to fill the holes vacated by busted up gladiators with mostly inexperienced wannabies.

With 20% of the season in the record books after tonight, Winnipeg entered the game at 0-3 while the 1-2 Lions faced a home crowd of 37000 fans harboring high expectations for a repeat of last week to bring their stable of talented heroes to a more respectable record of 2-2 and it would take more than simply nailing a horseshoe above their locker room door as their visitors also had designs on the two points and resulting respectability.

Lions RB Joe Smith would sit out again in favor of Stephan Logan who proved his worth last week against the Bombers, while Jarious Jackson (5 TD passes) and Javier Glatt come off their best performances of the season and Players of the Week Awards.

A sloppy, penalty filled first quarter ended with the only highlight being an electrifying TD by Wpg’s. Romly Bryant as he caught the secondary sleeping, and with a terrific burst of speed blew down the sidelines pulling away from BC defenders for the major.

Meanwhile the second quarter was highlighted by a gutsy pick by the Lion’s Cory Banks that went to the house. Had he missed on the robbery attempt he would have been embarrassed to see the ball go the other way, likely to a score.

In a disappointing turn of events, the Lions lost slotback Cory Rogers for the game and what could very well be the season with a leg injury.

Up front, as the offensive line was getting banged and bruised, gaping holes were left for Wpg’s rushing game to penetrate at will and they took advantage with Jarious Jackson running for his life much of the night.

The two teams went to the half in an 11-11 tie, but the Lions should have considered themselves fortunate as they played well enough to be looking up out of a hole at that point.

The third quarter continued with undisciplined penalties and turnovers by both offenses, but on a positive note, the defenses came to play and showed no mercy.

On this note the Bombers would lose former Lion and all star middle linebacker Barrin Simpson for at least the balance of this game.

Jarious Jackson made a seven point donation to the Bomber’scause with an easy interception on the BC 15 yard line that line backer Cam Hall ran in unopposed.

While all but the last 20 seconds of the third quarter were played in the BC end a Jarious Jackson 56 yard bomb to Paris Jackson plus a 15 yard penalty on the same play had the home team tasting blood in the water at the Bomber 12 yard line.

Some questionable play calling by the BC quarterback ended with a McCallum FG.

Fortunately for home town fans the rest of the game would be mostly owned by Geroy Simon. His highlight reel performance to finish off the Bombers, included his 64^th career TD, a 50 yarder that would put his Lions ahead to stay. His performance on the night  brought his reception total to 300 yards in just the last two games.

Jarious Jackson while he lacked finish, enjoyed an enviable passing performance this night and Geroy wins the watch, with the Glen Suitor Gladiator of the game award..

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