It was a tale of two halves for both teams Thursday night at The Star in Frisco as the Raccoons overcome early mistakes to defeat the Greenville Lions 44-12.
Early on, the Lions’ offense was moving the ball efficiently, and their defense did a great job containing the speed of a Frisco run game that thrives off of misdirection and play-action.
In the first quarter, Greenville had a 6-0 lead when Frisco drove down the field to eventually come away with zero points. That drive had back to back touchdown plays called back for penalties against the Raccoons, who couldn’t convert on a long 3rd-and-25.
After a fast and clean first half from Greenville, and even with the costly mistakes and penalties, Frisco led going into the half 14-12.
But second-half mistakes were costly for Greenville.
With the opening kickoff, the Raccoons drove methodically down the field, gaining all their yardage via the run game en route to a quick score. Greenville could not answer, and Frisco forced their first of three second-half interceptions.
In total, the Lions coughed up the ball four times in the second half and the rout was on.
Throughout the night, the Lions wide receivers looked unstoppable. Their speed out on the edges torched Frisco’s defense to the tune of 18 yards per passing attempt for a total of 204 yards.
The five total turnovers, however, sealed the fate for a young Lions team that will return a lot of talent in 2020.
Greenville quarterback Brandon Stephens could not find his rhythm during the second half as the Raccoons defense turned up the heat and feasted on his mistakes.
Frisco’s run game finished with 361 yards on the night compared to the 98 yards by the Lions run game.
Frisco advances to the second round of the playoffs and will play Dallas South Oak Cliff next week with the location, date and time yet to be determined.
