Sunday, July 24, 2011

Lions Roar Behind Rose And Jenkins

Lions running back Michael Thomas runs for daylight (photo: Clarkshots.com)
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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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Lions Lose On Late Touchdown to NY Predators 6/25/11

Lions quarterback Matt Mariano calls the signals against the Predators
Lions quarterback Matt Mariano calls the signals against the
Predators
HOLMDEL (NJ) – The New Jersey Lions battled last season’s national champion the New York Predators in a game that turned into an instant classic. After sprinting out to an early lead, the Lions fell 21-20 as both teams benefitted from big plays by their high profile players.Major League Football (MLF) All Star Darnell Rose put the Lions on the board first with an electrifying 72-yard punt return. Rose fielded the kick at the 28-yard line, raced up the right sideline, and then followed a wall of Lions to the end zone.“They came down firing, not staying in their lanes on previous punts,” Rose said after his return. “[They were] going straight to the ball carrier. I noticed that so when their punter punted to me, I took advantage of it.”Rose struck again just before the half, sprinting 29 yards with a fake put before being tackled at the Predator 6-yard line.“That is not anything I do on my own,” Rose said. “If Coach calls for it, I make it happen. I feed off Coach Paul (Castillo) that was a smart call by him.”Three plays later, “Lions’ quarterback Matt Mariano dove in from a yard out and the Lions carried a 14-0 lead into the half.Trailing at the half was not a surprise to Predator coach, Billy Simo.“I thought we would be in trouble early, the Lions are a tough first game,” Simo said. “We’ve faced several preseason challenges, facing the Lions would be a big challenge, and we answered that challenge.”Oleseye Osinowo led an inspired Lions defense from his defensive end position. Osinowo finished with two sacks, two quarterback pressures, and three tackles for the game.“I came to play today, I think I played moderately well, but I can do better,” Osinowo said. “I just came off the ball quickly, using my speed, and kept working the angle all game.”

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