FOLEY, Ala. — It was senior night and a special event for the Foley Lions who have been a part of the program for four years. It was not the best outcome for the Foley seniors, but it was a special night regardless. The game though, was a different story as Foley (3-4) hosted the Mary G. Montgomery Vikings (4-4) and lost a heartbreaking game 28-14. Foley played very well in most areas of the game but had a good number of special team flaws that resulted in great scoring positions for the Vikings.

In the first quarter, Foley quarterback Garrett Mayo ran a 34-yard option keeper for a touchdown with the point after kick no good to make the score 6-0 with 4:56 left in the quarter. The Vikings got on the scoreboard with a 19-yard touchdown throw from Jacob O’Shea to Joshua Williams to make the score 7-6.

The Lions Tyron Cosby ran a 59-yard touchdown to start off the second quarter, the 2-point conversion was good from a Mayo throw to Christian Blackwell. In the first half, the Foley defense, especially the defensive line, were making great plays in the backfield including two from Kai Nicely and one from Demarkus Adams. Sometime during the last drive for Foley, Lions starting Right Tackle Alan Little was on the trainer’s table with an injury and did not return to the game.

After halftime, Cosby tried to drive the ball down the field but Adrick Lampe forced another tackle for loss to force fourth down. This is where the Lions’ special team woes begin. When the Lions punt the ball, they made a kick-catch interference penalty before the kicked ball was given to the Vikings returner forcing a 10-yard penalty. Later Joshua Williams ran for a 45-yard MGM touchdown to even the score 14-14.

Cosby ran the kickoff to the 45-yard line but he fumbled the ball and recovered by the Vikings. Foley did force a 3 and out from Mary G. Montgomery but De’Zarius Horne did muff the punt return causing the Vikings to recover the ball at the Foley 5-yard line. Steven Moon punched in a 5-yard touchdown run one play later with the 2-point conversion no good making the score 20-14 for the Vikings.

With a pass interference from Foley and a 19-yard reception from O’Shea to Orlando Doss Jr, the Vikings got another rushing touchdown for 5-yards from Steven Moon and a 2-point conversion completed to make the score 28-14.

In the fourth quarter, the deficit was too much for the Foley Lions offense to overcome and the Vikings offense was trying to run out the clock to end the game. It was a tough and heartbreaking loss for Lions head coach Tad Niblett and the coaching staff.

Niblett said after the game, “We didn’t execute like we needed to do at times and we turned the ball over. We are down right now but we’ll come back Monday, ready to work for the next one.”

He was proud of his players fighting until the end especially with the defense. The Lions (3-5) have a chance to finish out the season strong with two road games at Baker (4-4) and then at Theodore (4-4) in Region 1.