Leo comes back to upset Meteors

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:18PM

Lawrence Huff thought for a moment the game slipped through his grasp. He got his redemption.

So did Leo.

With the Lions' holding a narrow lead, the Leo defensive back dropped an interception and was called for pass interference on fourth down that extended De La Salle's final drive.

He delivered in the clutch. His interception at the Lions' two-yard line with 40 seconds remaining preserved Leo's stunning comeback from a 20-point, third-quarter deficit to outlast the No. 24 Meteors 27-26 Thursday night at Gately Stadium.

"I've dropped a lot of picks this year, and I had to make a play and realize it was not about me," he said. "I had to make a play for the whole Leo family." Huff said.

Huff's determination symbolized the Lions' refusal to wilt. Behind the brilliant all-around play of De La Salle senior quarterback Juwan Martin (251 total yards, three touchdowns), the Meteors jumped out to a 20-6 lead at the break.

Martin (19 carries, 123 yards) turned the right edge for a 31-yard touchdown run for the early 6-0 De La Salle advantage. He also threw second quarter touchdown passes of 26 and 22 yards to senior tight end Kelley McKenzie.

The Meteors (2-1, 2-1 Catholic White) appeared to slam the door shut after Martin directed a five-play, 70-yard drive for a 26-6 lead. Stewart Cunningham's four-yard touchdown culminated the possession.

De La Salle lost despite owning commanding leads to rushing (262-22), time of possession (71 plays in scrimmage to 32) and total yards (385-210), the Meteors suffered breakdowns in their pass coverage and special teams.

They had no answer for the Lions' electrifying combination of junior quarterback Gerard Baker (10-21, 188 yards) and senior wide receiver Bruce Gray. Baker threw a 51-yard touchdown strike to Gray for the Lions' first score in the second quarter.

The Lions (2-1, 1-1) stormed back by scoring two touchdowns in 13 seconds. Baker engineered a seven-play, 53-yard drive. His 18-yard pass to Gray and his 21-yard bullet to Jarod Cooper set up his own two-yard plunge that pulled the Lions within 26-12.

On the ensuing kickoff, Leo Watkins made a jarring hit that dislodged the ball and Huff scooped up the 18-yard fumble return touchdown.

"I saw the ball and my eyes just got wide," Huff said. Baker's two-point conversion pass pulled the Lions within 26-20.

After the teams exchanged turnovers, Leo needed just one play to take their first lead. On first down from his own 44-yard line, Baker eluded the rush and floated a perfect pass down the left sideline that Gray caught in stride for the 56-yard bomb.

"Bruce is one of the fastest guys around, he goes Downstate in track every year, and nobody can check him one-on-one, especially the crossing pattern," Baker said.

Hakeem Chatman's extra point was the difference.

Gray finished with four catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns for the Lions.

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.