Inclement weather played a decisive role in slowing down offensive play from both sidelines as the Edwards County Lions hosted Johnston City to cap both teams’ seasons Saturday afternoon.

ECHS senior quarterback Marcus Stennett was unable to complete a pass in what was, at least for most of the first half, a torrential downpour. Senior running back Eli Grimes was unable to plant his foot in the turf, causing him to slip when attempting to cut back. Both teams fumbled the ball multiple times, particularly in the red zone.

These hurdles kept both squads off of the scoreboard throughout regulation, leading to not one, but two extra periods of play. It was in the second overtime that Johnston City was able to pull ahead with a two-point conversion, while stopping the Lions from converting themselves, to defeat the Edwards County boys on their home field, 14–12.

While Stennett went 0–10 through the air throughout the day, he was still able to make his presence felt in the ground game. He rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Grimes had 34 touches for 73 yards and a score as well.

Senior fullback Keath Bateman netted eight yards on two rushes, while classmate Jordon Brock had three yards on his only carry of the game.

Defensively, sophomore Dylan Rhodes pulled down an interception late in the fourth quarter to give the Lions a chance to end the contest in regulation, but the offense couldn’t find their way into the end zone.

During each overtime, the two teams took turns offensively from the 10-yard line, giving them a short field with which to work. The team with the most points by the end of the overtime period would be declared the winner.

The Lions end their 2019 season with a 3–6 mark, despite losing several games by a margin of less than a touchdown, including Eldorado, Carmi, Chester and Johnston City, three of which played on the road.

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