BY BRIAN GOSSET
X – @Gosset41
Garland Lakeview Centennial returned the second-half kickoff to extend its lead at 21-3 only to see Richardson come back and win 27-21 in the season opener on Thursday. The Eagles (1-0) scored 24-unanswered points.
The Patriots opened the third quarter with an 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Montre Jackson and the lead grew to 21-3. Richardson got a field goal by Fernando Gonzalez to make it 21-6 three minutes later.
Richardson added another score late in the third quarter – a 42-yard TD pass and catch from Lucas Sawyer to Dameon Crowe and after the two-point run, Richardson pulled within 21-14.
The Eagles tied the game at 21 midway through the fourth whe Sawyer connected with Crowe again – from 12 yards. They took their first lead with 57 seconds left to play on a 1-yard run by Jaden Pope.
Richardson gained 375 yards on offense and held LC (0-1) to 142 (minus-7 rushing). Sawyer led the Eagles with 156 yards on 11 of 13 passing. Cole Cage added 126 yards on 6 of 9 passing. Pope finished with 53 yards on 17 carries. Crowe had 80 yards on four catches while Evan Tabora had game-highs with eight catches and 100 yards.
The Patriots were led by Julius Spencer’s six grabs and 82 yards. QB Kendrick Sanders ended with 13 of 21 for 149 yards and one touchdown.
Richardson tries to go 2-0 in Week 2 against Plano.
LC will travel to McKinney next week.
