By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Del Rio’s search for its first win of the 2022 football season continues Friday against a team they’ve never faced before.
The Rams (0-2) welcome the Leander Lions (2-0) to Walter Levermann Ram Stadium Friday night for a 7 p.m. tilt under those Friday night lights.
Tickets for Friday’s game can be purchased online at https://gofan.co/app/events/634861?schoolId=TX22694
Del Rio has struggled out of the gate this season. The Rams lost to San Antonio Roosevelt, 43-21, in a game that was upended by key injuries to Del Rio’s linemen.
This past Friday night, Del Rio returned to San Antonio and tasted defeated at the hands of the San Antonio Warren Warriors, 35-15. After succeeding in not turning the ball over against Roosevelt, the Rams threw two interceptions and lost a fumble against Warren including a first quarter turnover that derailed what was a successful drive up to that point.
Ball security needs to be Del Rio’s top priority this week as they face a Leander team that has forced four turnovers in its first two games including two interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Leander was picked by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine to finish last in District 11-5A, Division I. The team has already matched its win total from a year ago, so a win over the Rams Friday night would be quite the feather in the Lions’ cap.
The Lions are coming off a 28-23 win over Bastrop. Leander led 28-10 at one point, but Bastrop rallied with a pair of scores in the fourth quarter. The Bears were able to recover an onside kick late, but Leander sealed the win with a sack.
Leander is bolstered by an experienced defense. The unit features six returners that all started for the Lions in 2021.
Anchoring the group is senior defensive back Gavin Brzezinski who leads the team with 21 total tackles including 10 solo stops. No other Lions player has double digits in solo tackles.
Joining him in the secondary is Zane Woolridge, who leads the Lions with three passes defended, and Jaden Arnold, who is tied for second in passes defended with two but who also has one of Leander’s two interceptions.
Senior defensive lineman Daniel Cedillo leads the team with seven quarterback hurries, but he has yet to tally a sack. Unfortunately for opposing teams, he’s more of the anomaly than the standard as six different Leander defenders have tallied at least one sack already this season. If Cedillo doesn’t give the offensive line fits, then junior Joe Wiese will as he is second on the team with six quarterback hurries and is tied for the team lead with one sack.
Offensively, the Lions bring a balanced attack into Ram Stadium.
Quarterback Cameron Burkman is enjoying a strong start to his senior season. Last season he had just 425 yards passing. He’s already at 408 yards and five touchdowns this season. He doesn’t throw for big numbers, averaging just over 15 yards per completion, but he’s 26-for-33 on the season and that kind of accuracy means Leander can control the game with steady drives behind a solid offensive line that is captained by all-district selection Ryan Gambino.
Junior Damien Stout is the team’s leading rusher with 125 yards, but the defense needs to be aware when Kyle Lavin and Tanner Christensen get the ball. Lavin averages nearly eight yards per carry and has one of the team’s two rushing scores. Christensen is averaging more than 16 yards per carry as he’s rushed for 81 yards on just five carries.
Wooldridge pulls double duty for the Lions, leading the team with 137 yards on just three catches. He also leads the team in total yards as he also serves as a running back and kick returner. Peyton Gordon is the top target for Burkman, reeling in six catches for 54 yards and a team-high two scores. Aidan Parker (3 catches, 55 yards) and Daniel Crites (2 catches, 48 yards) also have touchdowns for the Lions.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
