Destined outcome
The sting of defeat is sharp and the instant heartbreak can be overwhelming. When it occurs in the playoffs, the sudden finality to what was expected to be a greater outcome carries an even deeper pain.
Ranked No. 1 all season, the Ennis Lions were loaded and destined for coronation. Nothing experienced during an incredibly impressive run of one-sided victories prepared the team for the plummeting emotion of an upset loss. They were expecting more, much more.
A year after nearly upsetting No. 1 Aledo, the Lions were hellbent and loaded for Bearcats with an even better team. And they played like it too. Nobody came closer than 24 points of E-Town.
Friday’s loss to Timberview was unlikely and took plenty to happen. A week later the hurt, the shock, and the disappointment still lingers, and will probably endure longer than anyone desires. Let’s be very sure to make several points during what will undoubtedly be an off-season of “what happened?”
1) There was no shortage of effort
These players played their hearts out and left everything on the turf. No one questions their energy or desire. They were not arrogant, nor were there any examples of half-hearted play.
Saying that another team outplayed them, barely, has nothing to do with heart or discipline. No one here even hints at that. That another team performed better, even slightly, is not a criticism.
2) Timberview played very well
The Wolves played error-free while the Lions had a seasonhigh four turnovers. Timberview rushed for 326 yards, their second best showing of the year while no team ran for more than Royse City’s 198 against Ennis. In fact, the Lions had allowed just 106 yards per game on the ground entering Friday’s game. Not a single opponent of the Big ‘Cats had outrushed them all year, and Timberview did, 326 to 129. Give them their due. They earned it.
3) Passing game produced
E-Town went to air 34 times, more than any game this year, and gained 315 yards, just two yards less than the season high of 317 versus Summit. The Lions outgained all of their opponents in passing yardage except for Royse City. The Lions’ ace receiver grabbed a careerbest 12 passes for 241 yards. Only his 311 at Bishop Lynch a year ago ranked above his output on Friday.
4) Coaching has always led the Lions
When your team has a Texas Hall-of-Famer on the sideline, one does not make a living being critical of his moves. He has proven, even at 65, that he still has it. This assembly of players performed at the highest level from the onset of 2020. The team has built a 21-3 mark over his last two years, including a pair of district championships and Top Ten finishes.
Like all great coaches, he circles the wagons and protects his family to the point he will take the blame rather than point a single finger at anyone in a maroon jersey.
5) Two calls magnified in close game
Mansfield did what nobody has done this year, they dominated the line of scrimmage, rushing for 326 yards while limiting Ennis to 129, including 174 to 19 after intermission. That is their strength, averaging 240 ypg. Thanks to two major miscues by one official, they were able to stick to their basics… pounding the ball up the middle.
Had the fumble return for a TD (negated by a careless whistle) and the erroneous fumble call against Ennis been properly viewed, the Lions would likely have held a two- or-three touchdown lead. However, the flawed judgments led to a close game and the Wolves spoiled what felt like a destined outcome.
6) Ennis is proud of their Lions
This team has enjoyed a great season. There is no shame in coming up short. These coaches and players planned and worked their tails off and they deserve the pride in them you feel.
Lion Nation brought a great turnout to Midlothian. Coupled with the marching band, they created a monstrous advantage compared to Timberview, whose support is lame.
An objective, honest assessment by this writer has drawn the ire of some who prefer the treatment of a homer. I get it. Reporting as it is done from this vantage point provides on-the-level insight. Not everyone likes it, but not drinking the Kool-Aid doesn’t equate this journalist to being a hater.
Losing is seldom easy to digest. A straight-forward, truthful response from here is the aim. Dealing with a setback doesn’t need to be eased by misleading excuses. And you know what an excuse is… it is the skin of a lie stretched over a reason.
Winning the state championship in Texas requires winning six playoff games in a row. It is not easy and the best team doesn’t always win it. We all saw that on Friday.
