Youth football games at the Selma Recreation Department usually involve a lot of running. It’s not common to see a pass play and when you do, it’s few and far between.

The 7-and-8-year-old Lions aren’t your normal team. Using a pass happy offense, the Lions defeated the Pee Wee Rams 28-14 Monday night in the first round of the playoffs at Memorial Stadium.

“I brought that in last year, throwing the ball and now everyone wants to throw the ball,” said Lions coach Johnny Manuel. “No one was doing it. No one was throwing the ball and when no one was throwing the ball, I figured if I could slip a pass in and they weren’t looking for it, I figured that would work pretty good.”

Although he didn’t throw a touchdown pass, Lions quarterback Tyrone Sheppard had a big night. He had an 18-yard rush in the second quarter where he broke two tackles, and also hit on several passes.

Four players scored touchdowns on the night for the Lions and a fifth converted a two-point conversion.

Latreyven Davis had a 55-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter, Derrick Surles had a 2-yard score in the second quarter and Montavious Huntingdon had a 2-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter. Nick Ballard  also added a score when he caught a two-point conversion pass from Surles.

“I believe in everybody touching the ball,” Manuel said. “If everybody gets involved, they have a good time and they realize what they’re doing. I believe in letting all my backs touch the ball, I let my quarterback run, I believe in throwing to all the receivers.”

Surles’ score came with just 3.7 seconds left in the second quarter and put the Lions up 20-6. The Rams came right back with a 65-yard touchdown run by Derrick Richburg on the final play of the half. Richburg scored two touchdowns on the night.

The Rams got the ball to begin the second half but a holding call derailed the drive and the team ended up turning the ball over on downs.

The Lions put the game away with Davis’ touchdown.

The Lions will move on to face the Packers in the semifinals on Wednesday, while the Rams season came to an end. Rams coach Jeffery Tubbs pulled his team in for a group hug after the game.

“I love my guys and I love coaching them. I’ll do anything for them to teach them and get them better,” Tubbs said. “I let the guys know you’ve always got a father figure in me. I’ll be here for them all the time, not just on the football field, but when we leave this field.”
Bengals 22,

Pee Wee Bobcats 0 (7 and 8)

In the night’s other 7-and-8 year old playoff game, the Bengals topped the Pee Wee Bobcats 22-0. Nicholas Thomas scored two touchdowns, including a 70-yarder, and Ja’Derious Wilkins had the other score for the Bengals. The Bengals will move on to play the Panthers Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
Dolphins 22, Jr. Rams 0 (9 and 10)

O’Darius Wilkins scored two second quarter touchdowns as the Dolphins defeated the Rams 22-0 in the first round of the 9-and 10-year-old playoffs. Rodrick Webster scored the other touchdown for the Dolphins in the win.

The Dolphins will move on to play the Bears Thursday at 6 p.m. in the semifinals.