Being a ball hog on defense is a good thing. Ask Levi Campbell.
The junior outside linebacker intercepted two passes Saturday, returning one for a touchdown, and added a fumble recovery as the tough-as-nails Lyons Lions had their way in a 35-6 victory over host Denver Lutheran at Brinkman Stadium.
“No, I’m just a normal kid,” Campbell said, deflecting any specific attention. “It wasn’t just me, it was the whole team. It’s about all of us.”
The Lions, ranked No. 8 in The Denver Post/9News 1A poll, cruised in their opener with a thorough performance. The lines were convincing, as was the defense, and a series of skill players kept the Lights on defense. Only turnovers and a series of illegal-procedure penalties kept the Lions from really romping.
“I’ll have to look at that,” veteran Lyons coach John Nichols said of his team’s illegal shifts and movements.
No matter. Campbell’s 56-yard interception return came early in the fourth quarter to seal it. At the outset, Lyons, behind quarterback Roland Valadez, one of 10 seniors, helped produce 292 yards rushing and touchdowns on the first two drives. Valadez ran for a score and threw for another. Shaun Wicen and Kyle Dick contributed rushing touchdowns.
“I think we have a pretty good football team,” Nichols said. “We were able to get up early on (the Lights).”
Meanwhile, No. 10 Lutheran had issues sustaining drives.
“We had some of that nervousness against a really good opponent and had some first-game mistakes,” coach Joel Brase said. “When you make them against a well-oiled machine like Lyons, you pay.”
Lyons 14 7 7 7 — 35Denver Lutheran 0 0 0 6 — 6L — Valadez 3 run (Donnell kick). L — Wicen 13 run (Donnell kick). L — Dick 6 run (Donnell kick). L — Donnell 16 pass from Valadez (Donnell kick). L — Campbell 56 interception return (Donnell kick). DL — Schilling 16 pass from Hanley (kick failed).
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
