The Lee Academy Colts thrilled the homecoming crowd with a strong showing and a 55-6 victory over Rossville Christian in a game that saw them do just about everything right.
The Colts jumped out to a 27-0 lead in the first quarter and proved they can pass, run and play solid defense.
“I’m proud of what I saw tonight,” said Lee coach Rick Johnston. “Both squads on both sides of the ball played well. We’re looking for consistency and these guys had it tonight.”
Lee scored just about at will. The defense set up the first TD when they recovered a fumble on Rossville’s opening possession. Lee’s junior linebacker Chris Dulaney pounced on the loose ball.
The Colts then drove 27 yards in four plays with Gage Murphy ran the counter-play to perfection behind blocking up front.
The PAT by Michael Basha spilt the uprights and the Colts were off to the races.
Lee’s second possession took two plays to score. Junior quarterback Luke Crumpton spotted receiver Phillip Brownlee in the open and got him the ball. Brownlee never looked back as he raced 83 yard for the TD. Basha was again good and Colts were 14-0 with 5:59 to go in the first quarter.
A sack by Shane Griffin on third down forced the Colts to punt.
This time it took a little longer – three plays – for the Colts to score.
Crumpton, who had time and stood in the pocket, found Brett Wilson running a slant and connected for the 6-yard TD. Basha was good.
Rossville fumble the kick and Gaines Barksdale recovered at the Rossville 41.
Two plays later, Brownlee made a leaping catch from Crumpton for a 40-yard touchdown.
Crumpton had three passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter.
The Colts led 27-0 at the end of one.
The second quarter saw the Colts march 49 yards in six plays to score.
Crumpton ran a one-yard QB keeper in for the score and Basha was good to send the score to 34-0
And again the Colt defense did their part with linebacker Seth Campbell recovering a fumble and putting Lee back on offense at the Rossville 9-yard line.
Gage Murphy ran right for the score and the Colts carried a 41-0 lead into the locker room at the half.
Everybody got to play on homecoming night and the Colts scored twice more in the third.
The first possession of the second half saw sophomore Vance Johnson score and the PAT by Seth Campbell was good.
The Colts final score came on a 37-yard run by Brett Wilson and again, Basha’s kick was good.
Then Rossville finally got on the scoreboard with 2:56 to go in the game when running back Omar Head raced to the end zone on a 29-yard run up the middle.
“We played tough the second half and we got good play out of the younger guys,” said Johnston. “As a coach it’s tough to pull the guys that got you there out of the game, but it was homecoming and we put them in.”
Johnston said the only downside to the game was the Colts lost their poise on a couple of plays and it cost the team in penalties and Rossville’s lone touchdown.
“That kind of thing can hurt you in a big game, when the game is close,” said Johnston. “We got some silly penalties and will work on that.”
Again Johnston said he was proud of the performance.
“We’re headed in the right direction,” he added. “We’re getting better.”
The Colts have an open date Friday and travel to Tunica Academy on Sept. 27.
