Box Score Dragons Win Home Opener
Jackson, TN – Chris Rini threw for 107 yards and three touchdowns in his Dragons debut as Lane College rallied to beat Edward Waters College 45-28 on Saturday afternoon. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound junior from Murfreesboro, TN was nearly flawless, completing 10 of 14 passes for 107 yards. Rini also rushed for 53 yards on the day as he split time as the signal caller with Freshman QB Dyron Speight. Speight also contributed 107 yards passing, connecting on 5 of 12 passes.
Despite the comfortable final margin, the game wasn't easy for the Dragons. The Dragons led 17-14 at halftime, but the Tigers from Edward Waters College took an early lead on their first possession of the third quarter for a 21-17 lead. Both teams would swap the lead back-and-forth in the quarter as each team scored two touchdowns in the third quarter. The Dragons scored on a five-yard pass from Rini to Evan Yabu as time ran out in the third quarter for a 31-28 lead. The Dragons' defense finished off the final quarter by throwing a shutout, while the offensive unit continued to move the chain, eat up the clock, and add two additional touchdowns for a 45-28 final score.
Yabu hauled in 5 receptions for 23 yards and 2 TDs, while Devon Perry connected for 3 receptions and 69 yards to lead the receivers. Eric Knowlton carried the Dragons rushing attack with 20 carries for 88 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively the Dragons were led by Seniors Paris Hopper and Corey Jones. Hopper had 9 total tackles, a forced fumble, quarterback hurry, and 4 tackles for loss of yards. Jones ended the day with 8.5 total tackles, a quarterback sack, quarterback hurry, and 3 tackles for loss of yards.
Edward Waters quarterback Brandon Turman completed 4 of 12 passes for 39 yards and led the Tigers' rushing attack with 21 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown. Running back Phillip Teamer added 52 yards rushing on 10 carries to help the Tigers ground-game collect a total of 186 yards rushing.
The Dragons extended the win streak to two games after defeating Benedict College in the final regular season game in 2011. They now hope to continue that streak next week as they host the Panthers form Clark-Atlanta University. Kick-off for that contest is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Lane Field. We invite everyone out to support the Dragons.