Lions Roar Behind Rose And Jenkins

Lions running back Michael Thomas runs for daylight (photo: Clarkshots.com)

HOLMDEL (NJ) – Darnell Rose and NaQuan Jenkins showed the speed many felt the New Jersey Lions lacked in previous seasons as the Lions exploded in the second half during a 34-6 win over the South Philly Raiders (IFL) at St. John Vianney High School Saturday night. The Lions scored 28 unanswered points in the final two periods after a lackluster first half.
“Tonight, we play sloppy from start to finish,” Lion’s coach Paul Castillo said after the game. “We absolutely played sloppy.”
Castillo’s assessment of his Lions’ (2-0) performance was accurate for the first half, but the second half was a different story. After the defense intercepted South Philly quarterback Linwood Blount, Jenkins broke loose for a 23-yard score on an electrifying cutback run for his second touchdown of the game.
“The play was a stretch run,” Jenkins said. “I saw that the linebacker was over pursuing, so I slowed down and when the he ran past me, I cut back and ran for the score.”
It wasn’t all negative coachspeak from Castillo as he prasied Jenkins’ for buying into the Lions’ system from day one.
“NaQuan came in to the program committed,” Castillo said. “He has taken to the coaching and has done a wonderful job. He won the starting position during training camp, continued to do well in practice and at the start of the season. I look forward to seeing what NaQuan can accomplish by the end of the season.”
The versatile Rose stepped his game up in the second half as well. Lined up at the quarterback position the Plainfield native rolled out of the pocket and rifled a 44-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Riley.
“Darnell is full of athletic ability,” Castillo said. “He’s a smart player. On the play he saw the pressure coming, rolled out of the pocket, and got the ball to Reilly for the score.”

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