Central Lyon/George-Little Rock Outlasts OABCIG in 45-26 Playoff Win
Football is just business for Central Lyon/George-Little Rock right now. Last year, the Lions won only two games and missed the Class 2A playoffs, but this year’s squad hadn’t lost a game this season going into Friday’s Class 2A quarterfinal playoff game against OABCIG at home. Falling behind early, the Lions quickly reclaimed momentum, refused to surrender the lead, and punched their ticket to Cedar Falls with a 45-26 victory.
“It’s a business thing for us. We got the win and we talked going in how it would be a hard-fought game,” Central Lyon/George-Little Rock coach Curtis Eben said. “The kids are in business more and afterward they were more concerned about the next game. I told them to enjoy this win, but they were asking about who they play and what they have to do.”
Lions Answer Opening Touchdown with Long Scoring Pass
The game didn’t start smoothly for the hosts. OABCIG struck first with 6:44 left in the first quarter when quarterback Raif Jensen, a University of South Dakota recruit, broke free for a 54-yard touchdown run, putting the Falcons up 7-0.
The Lions answered before the quarter ended. Jephte Raymond hauled in a pass from Jayden Daale and raced 52 yards for a touchdown. Logan Koob added the extra point, tying the game 7-7 with 3:31 remaining in the opening period.
“That was a big momentum swing. We were just not doing things well and then to get that big pass play, for JR to go up and get it and pull it in, we used that as a momentum piece and the defense started to settle in,” Eben said. “That first half, we played extremely good football.”
Seizing Control Before Halftime
Central Lyon/George-Little Rock seized control early in the second quarter. Daale connected with Raymond again, this time for a 10-yard touchdown, and Koob converted the extra point to make it 14-7.
After a muffed punt return gave OABCIG possession deep in Lions territory, the defense stiffened. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the 10-yard line, Jensen rolled right and targeted Jax DeJean in the end zone. Cash Sandbulte batted the ball down to preserve the lead.
Three plays later, Michelet Sedam took a pitch to the left, followed his blockers, and broke free for an 80-yard run before being tracked down at the 7-yard line. Daale scored on the next play, pushing the lead to 21-7. Koob added a 36-yard field goal right before the break to stretch the advantage to 24-7.
Pedersen Secures Victory by Returning Onside Kick for Touchdown
The Lions continued to extend their margin in the third quarter. Daale scored on a 6-yard run, and Egan Pedersen caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Daale, bringing the score to 38-7.
OABCIG refused to fold. Kolt Spotts broke away for a 50-yard touchdown run, and Eidan Skirvin later recovered a fumble, returning it 15 yards to narrow the gap to 38-20 with 8:12 remaining.
The Falcons attempted an onside kick, but Pedersen scooped up the loose ball and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 45-20 and effectively putting the game out of reach.
“That was a huge play by Egan. That’s an unbelievably good football play,” Eben said. “I felt that was kind of the backbreaker for them at that time of the game. They got a little momentum, and we took it back. What an incredible play.”
Stat Line and Next Up at the UNI-Dome
Daale finished the night completing 12 of 17 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 70 yards and two scores on 13 carries. Sedam led the ground attack with 99 yards on 15 carries, while Raymond and Pedersen anchored the receiving corps with 92 and 90 yards, respectively.
Defensively, Jaxson Pytleski recorded a team-high 11 tackles, and Tynan Schipper added eight tackles, three sacks, and multiple tackles for loss.
The undefeated Lions now advance to the Class 2A semifinals at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. They are scheduled to face Roland-Story at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14.
