Rabbs fall to Lions in first game of the year

By Tim Emmons
temmmons@casscountynow.com

Atlanta opened their 2016 football campaign at Henderson last Friday night.
Heavy rainfall dampened the area but by game time the sky was clear.
Several miscues throughout the contest led to returned touchdowns as the Lions handed the Rabbits a 44-13 loss to begin the season.
Take away the pick-6 and three punt returns for scores and it’s a different ball game.
In the end both of Henderson’s TCU commits were legit as advertised, but the first game should never cast a bad light on a team who has risen from the ashes and marched four deep into the playoffs the past two years.
Remember the 2003 team was 1-4 in pre-district play and then went on an amazing 11-game win streak to win the state title.

First Quarter
Atlanta won the coin toss but deferred to the second half.
Wet conditions plus nerves had a lot to do with both teams struggling to control snaps on their opening drives but the Lions struck first with a five play drive which covered 72 yards, and ended with a 41-yard touchdown pass for a score.
The point after was no good but Henderson was up 6-0 with 9:57 on the clock. 
Atlanta went three-and-out on their first drive and punted the ball away, but the Lions had to punt the ball away a few minutes later after a bad snap dropped them back 11 yards.
The Rabbs’ next possession stalled as well but a bad snap resulted in the Lions getting the ball at the Rabbit 22-yard line.
The next drive was an odd one to say the least.
Henderson scored on a 22-yard play but a holding penalty negated the score.
After a couple of penalties and three running plays, the Lions set up for an apparent field goal.
Henderson faked the field goal but a penalty brought it back for another fourth down try.
The Lions decided to pass on this play but the pass was incomplete and the Rabbs took over with 1:46 left in the first frame.
The Rabbs showed signs of life on their next drive as running back Kelton Young gained 10 yards on a run play followed by two pass plays from quarterback Layton Henson to Young which resulted in 12 yards total.
Nick Cooper carried the ball for 10 yards in two plays and the first stanza ended on a bad snap which set the Rabbs back 10 yards.

Second Quarter
After the bad snap the Rabbits couldn’t recover and had to punt the ball away with 11:23 showing on the clock.
Henderson moved the ball from the 19 to the Rabbit 45-yard line but had to punt after the drive stalled.
Another three-and-out forced the Rabbs to punt and this time the Lions returned the punt for a touchdown.
After the 2-point play Henderson was up 14-0 with 7:21 left in the half.
The Lions intercepted the ball on the Rabbs third play of the drive and promptly scored on a 51-yard play.
The PAT was no good but the Lions increased their lead to 20-0 with 6:14 on the clock.
Atlanta opened their next drive with a 7-yard pass from Henson to Trin Taylor followed by a 16 yard run play from Cooper to put the Rabbits into Lion territory.
The Rabbs rolled the dice later in the drive on fourth-down-and-nine from the 31, but the Lions intercepted the ball and scored.
The PAT was unsuccessful again but the Lions were up 26-0 with 3:27 left in the first half.
Atlanta finally broke through for a score after Henson hit Desmond Webster for a 48-yard gain, and again from 15 yards out at the 2:13 mark for a touchdown.
Jaime Campos nailed the PAT and the Rabbs cut the lead to 26-7.
Henderson returned the kickoff to the Rabbit 32 and looked poised to score again, but after a big stand by the Atlanta defense, Henderson turned the ball over on downs with 34 seconds left on the clock.
The Rabbs ran one play and let the clock run out on the first half.

Third Quarter
Atlanta opened the quarter with another three-and-out which led to another punt with 10:32 showing on the clock.
Henderson only needed five plays to find the end zone as they scored on a 61-yard play.
The PAT was no good but the Lions increased their lead to 32-7 with 8:08 left in the quarter.
Atlanta’s next drive stalled after another bad snap set up fourth down, and the Lions ran that punt back as well for another score. Another unsuccessful PAT left the score at 38-7 with 6:14 left in the third frame. The quarter ended with the Lions punting the ball to the Rabbits.

Fourth Quarter
Atlanta’s first drive in the final stanza ended with another punt which led to another punt return for a touchdown.
The PAT was no good but the score was increased to 44-7 with 10:38 left in the game.
A few possessions later sophomore Jawan King darted to the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown, but was only credited for 36 yards after a block in the back penalty.
Shortly after Dontay Casey bolted into the end zone from 45 yards out with 4:12 left in the contest.
Both teams traded possessions for the rest of the game which ended with the Lions on top 44-13.
Atlanta welcomes Daingerfield to town this Friday night. 
This rivalry goes back to 1940 with Atlanta leading the series 33-29-1.
Daingerfield lost their first game of the season 24-0 to Hughes Springs, but Coach McClure still thinks they can be tough to play.
“Daingerfield has a new coach with new plays to learn, but they have good size as always and quick runners,” McClure said. “They may not have shown it in their last game but they have the players I place to be a good, quality team.”
The Rabbs have won the last three meetings with the Tigers and under McClure the Rabbit Express has only lost one game to their rivals.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Atlanta Rabbit Stadium.