Lyon Defeats Grinnell 48-28 with Strong Second-Half Surge
In a game marked by dramatic momentum shifts, the Lyon Scots pulled away from the Grinnell Pioneers with a dominant second half, securing a 48-28 victory at Rosenbloom Field on September 7, 2024.
The game started with Grinnell taking an early lead after quarterback Henry Baird connected with Noah Smith on a 19-yard touchdown pass, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive. Grinnell led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Lyon responded early in the second quarter when quarterback Joe Galay found Reginald Brown II for a 5-yard touchdown, but a missed extra point left Lyon trailing 7-6. Grinnell extended its lead to 14-6 when Baird threw a 66-yard bomb to Garrett Wilson. However, Lyon quickly answered with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Galay to Clifford Washington. Despite a failed two-point conversion, Lyon narrowed the gap to 14-12.
Before the half, Grinnell struck again with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Baird to Lucky Carton, sending the Pioneers into the locker room with a 21-12 lead.
The second half, however, was all Lyon. On the opening drive of the third quarter, Jaylin Babers capped a 5-play, 30-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to pull Lyon within two points. Minutes later, Galay connected with Brown for his second touchdown of the game, giving Lyon its first lead at 25-21. A field goal by Jesus Romero-Castillo extended Lyon’s lead to 28-21.
Lyon’s defense came up big in the fourth quarter, with William Litton and Mason Davis each returning interceptions for touchdowns to put the game out of reach. A late 21-yard touchdown run by Babers sealed the 48-28 victory for Lyon.
Babers was the star on offense for Lyon, rushing for 160 yards on 32 carries and scoring two touchdowns. Galay also played well, throwing for 159 yards and three touchdowns while managing the offense efficiently.
Grinnell’s Baird threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns, but his three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, were costly. Carton was Baird’s favorite target, hauling in 10 receptions for 83 yards and two scores.
Lyon improves to 1-0 on the season, while Grinnell drops to 0-1.
