Lisbon shrugs off slow start, snares a crown

LISBON — Going into the game, the premise was simple. Win, a Class A district title is yours. Lose, it isn't.

This morning, the Lisbon Lions proudly wear the crown after defeating Lone Tree, 43-0, last night at Walmer field.

The game started ugly before Lisbon ultimately dominated.

On the first play, Lone Tree fumbled the center snap, a favor that Lisbon returned on its first offensive play.

In that first stanza alone, both teams put the ball on the ground twice with Lisbon losing the ball once and Lone Tree both times.

'I thought we started kind of slow with the turnovers, not blocking the right people, and just plain lack of energy,' said Lisbon Coach Kent Allison.

That all changed on the second play of the second quarter. Cameron Jorgenson rambled 20 yards for a touchdown on a screen pass from Logan Rickard. That was the first of three touchdowns for Jorgenson.

The Lions then executed an onside kick to perfection that led to another score. This time, Jorgenson plowed over from the 1-yard line.

The rout was on. The Lions led 23-0 at halftime.

'The onside kick threw some energy into us and helped build our momentum,' Allison said. 'The second half we wanted to come out and play grind-it-out football, which I thought we did.'

Lisbon finished the scoring late in the game on a Connor Woodward 96-yard interception return for touchdown.

Tyler Svatosch led the Lions in rushing with 145 yards and a TD on 11 carries. He also caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from Rickard in the second quarter.

Rickard led the passing attack with 179 yards and two touchdowns.

'This is the third straight district championship for these seven seniors. I think that is pretty cool,' Allison said. 'They are great players and great people, and I am proud of them.'

Next up will be the Class A playoffs Wednesday night.