Lyons routs Welsh 20-6 to clinch playoff berth
By STEVE DILLENBURGER
Sports Writer
Lyons comeback effort on Sunday gave it a 20-6 victory over Welsh and — more importantly — a return to the playoffs.
On their opening drive of the first half the Lions found themselves facing a fourth-and-one at midfield. Lyons attempted to pass for the first down but it was intercepted by Welsh's Vanessa Lichin and returned 40 yards for the game's first score.
Welsh preserved its 6-0 lead for the rest of the first half but the second half would be a much different story.
The Lyons offense kicked into gear as it scored 20 points in the second half on its way to victory. Megan Chandler opened the Lyons' scoring following a Lisa Thomas run that put the Lyons within two yards of the end zone. Thomas would follow with the one-point conversion to put Lyons ahead for good.
A few minutes later, Chandler caught another touchdown pass to extend the Lions' lead. Then as time was winding down, Katie Yanez took a pitch 20 yards for the third Lyons touchdown of the half.
"We've been looking for this all season, but right now we have to get ready for PE," Chandler said about her feelings on making the playoffs.
The Lions play the Pyros of PE in their season finale on Tuesday. Welsh takes its 2-2 record to face Lewis in a must win game for both teams.
Pasquerilla East 20, Walsh 0
Pasquerilla East crushed another upset bid as it cruised past Walsh 20-0 on Sunday.
The Pyro offense and defense were simply too much for the Wild Women.
The PE defense intercepted Walsh on its first drive at the 10-yard line and three plays later PE was in the end zone. On the ensuing Walsh drive, the wild women were forced to punt and a few plays later Pyro quarterback Elizabeth Plummer delivered a bullet to put PE up 14-0.
The Pyros would add another touchdown in the second half, and the Wild Women were not able to respond. PE's defense kept up its pressure and the offense was able to move the ball as they improved to 4-0 on the season.
The Wild Women fell to 1-3 and desperately need a win against the Purple Weasels of PW to make the playoffs.
Lewis 7, Pasquerilla West 6
After Lewis jumped out to a 6-0 lead, PW stormed back for a 7-6 victory and renewed its playoff hopes.
Lewis' Virginia Brisley ran for a touchdown to put Lewis up early as it looked like PW's offense was going to struggle again. The Chicks went into halftime leading 6-0.
Then in the second half the Weasel defense took the job of scoring upon themselves.
Karen Goodwin intercepted a Chick pass and returned it to the 15-yard line. PW's Kori Yelle tied up the game with a touchdown, which set up a critical conversion play.
It appeared that PW was going to take the lead when a Weasel ended up in the end zone only to have it called back because of an illegal procedure penalty.
Then Lewis followed suit with a pass interference to set up a third attempt. The third chance ended with Amanda Gallen scoring the critical point to give PW the 7-6 win.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, October 5, 1999
