Leigh's new head football coach, Kyle Padia, was anxious to unveil his new-look Longhorns against the Del Mar Dons in their season opener on Friday night. After a convincing 40-12 win, Padia definitely had reason to be excited about the football season and to see his unit perform.
Lavon Donald, Leigh's star running back, had two touchdowns to lead the Longhorns to their first win of the season and the first for at Leigh for Padia. The junior punished the Dons' defense with his brute size, quick feet, and, surprisingly, his arm strength. The halfback threw a touchdown pass on a flea-flicker play in which he floated a wobbly 40-yard pass to sophomore Tommy Druhan. On the play, Druhan helped Donald out by making a spectacular catch.
Donald also scored on a 30-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter to put the Longhorns ahead, 14-0. The Dons started the game well by forcing a fumble and recovering it on the first play of the game. However, the Longhorns, struck back immediately with a fumble recovery of their own and returned it for a touchdown.
Turnovers were common on Friday night as the two teams combined for six giveaways, including five fumbles. The numerous fumbles by the Dons allowed Leigh to capitalize twice from favorable field position. Once Leigh pulled ahead of Del Mar, the Longhorns did not let the Dons get back into the game as they took a commanding 20-0 lead into the second quarter.
