Lyon is King of Patriots’ Homecoming victory

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 17, 2015

Christian High Homecoming Queen Erica Wilson stands with the Lyon family (left) during halftime Friday night. / TRyan Photography

By Ramon Scott
© East County Sports.com

Christian’s Theo Goodwin runs with the ball Friday night at Valley Stadium. / TRyan Photography

EL CAJON (10-17-15) — On a night usually reserved for pomp, circumstance and celebration, Christian High School honored the life of teammate JASON LYON, who was posthumously named Homecoming King during Friday’s (Oct. 16) halftime show. Lyon passed away just a day prior to the game of a brain tumor.

The Patriots’ football team, meanwhile, went out and disposed of overmatched Serra, 56-0, at Valley Stadium, highlighted by three touchdown passes of 66, 47 and 55 yards from quarterback DAVID TODD JEREMIAH to NICK SEXTON in a five minute span late in the first half to turn the game into a rout.

Jeremiah ran in a QB sneak to make it 7-0 for the only score of the first quarter, as the Conquistadors stood reasonably strong for the first eight minutes.

In between the rapid fire aerial scoring bursts from Jeremiah to Sexton, the Pats’ signal caller would find GARRETT NIELSEN for a 15-yard scoring strike to start the second period, making it 14-0.

Christian High captain Nate Cazares makes a tackle of a Serra ball carrier Friday night. / TRyan photography

ADRIAN PETTY added a 4-yard score in the second quarter to extend Christian’s lead to 21-0. The play was set up by a terrific 26-yard completion to junior THEO GOODWIN, who laid out his 6-foot frame to make a finger-tip diving catch just inside the 5.

NATE CAZARES, Lyon’s best friend, recovered a fumble for the Patriots in the second quarter. He led the team with 7 tackles, 4 of which went for losses. He was also 7-for-7 on PATs.

“Our kids were so focused,” said Patriots’ offensive coordinator DAVID BEEZER. “Everybody was excited to play and we played probably our best overall game of the season. Every possession, we were gashing.”

CHS QB David Todd Jeremiah delivers an aerial against the Conquistadors. / TRyan Photography

The Patriots (5-2, 2-0 City League) hope this will set a spark for the remainder of the season.

Sexton connected with Jeremiah for a 66-yard pass for a score with 5:09 left in the first half to make it 28-0. The duo would hook up again twice before halftime on touchdown strikes, as Christian led 42-0 at halftime.

The Patriots had their way up front against the Q-Dawgs, as COLE LEHTO, TY NICHOLS, JONATHAN STINE and AUSTIN MANION easily kept their man upright.

Lyon was named King, along with Homecoming Queen ERICA WILSON, in an emotional announcement at halftime, as the crowd roared its approval. Lyon’s family – father Kevin, mother Alison and sister Ashley – were honored during the ceremony, as well, as they accepted their beloved son’s honor. The Patriots’ had Lyon’s No. “88” decaled on their helmets during Friday night’s contest.

The Pats’ Nick Sexton (26) had a big first half Friday night against Serra. / TRyan Photography

Jeremiah finished with 354 yards passing and 5 touchdowns. Sexton was his favorite target with 6 catches for 202 yards, producing his 3 scores.

Christian’s one-two ground punch of Petty (5 carries for 24 yards, 1 TD) and MICHAEL TOBIASON playing sparingly. Picking up in their absence were DOMINIC DREW (8-74) and JOEY MORONES (9-66).