15 Seniors were spotlighted before Friday night’s final home football game of the season for the Cannon County Lions and by the end of the night one of those seniors found his way into the end zone to give his team one of the most memorable rare wins in the past few seasons as the Cannon County Lions defeated the Smith County Owls 21-13. Running back A.J. Daniel made the football field as familar as his own back yard as he cruised for 129 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns breaking out in big runs of 41 and 66 yards as well as scooping up a loose fumble and running it back 54 yards for a touchdown. The game was a stark contrast for the Lions from not only the week before but for the entire season up to that point as Cannon entered the contest looking for their first win. The Lions defense shut down the Smith County offense on two of the three times the Owls got into the red zone. Cannon was able to put together 216 yards of total offense compared to the 221 yards of offense Smith County collected. The Lions set the tone of the game taking the first drive all the way to the end zone. After a 4th down punt, Cannon recovered the ball after it touched a Smith County player and continued the drive. 4 plays later AJ Daniel took off for a 41 yard touchdown run. Cannon would make key defensive stops to go into the locker room ahead 7-0. Smith County wasted no time getting things going in the 2nd half as they took their first offensive possession on a 80 yard drive to tie it 7-7. Cannon would answer two minutes later as Daniels found the endzone again on the end of a 66 yard touchdown run. Cannon stopped a potential drive right before the third quarter had ended but a fumble picked up by Daniels and run 54 yards for a touchdown gave the Lions a 21-7 lead. Smith would score late in the game but the Lions recovered an onside kick ran off the clock and ended up with the win. Cannon’s next game will be on the road to Jamestown to meet York Insititute Friday night.
