Threepeat: Goddard clinches AVCTL II title outright with 32-3 victory over Andover

All or nothing.

That was the mentality the Goddard Lions had heading into Week 8 of football.

In retrospect, the Lions had a pretty good situation: Beat Andover and win the AVCTL II championship outright; lose and still get at least a share of it with Andover and Maize South.

But had the Lions just gotten a share of that championship, according to head coach Tommy Beason, Goddard would not have considered themselves to be a part of that title.

“If we had to share the title we weren’t going to take credit for it,” Beason said. “We knew we would have been in third place out of the deal, so it mattered to our guys and they came ready to play.”

Beason and his team didn’t have to worry. They beat the Andover Trojans 32-3. And the Lions became the AVCTL II champions for a third season in a row.

With the Lions having senior night, defensive coordinator Darrin Fisher wanted to hit home with the seniors that winning the title would help them write history for Goddard.

“We talked about legacy and how to leave your mark,” Fisher said. “We told the seniors, ‘When you come back 30 years from now that will always be there, and no one can take that from you. Your effort and hard work and dedication to our program will be sealed in history.’”

Goddard set the tone for the game when junior defensive back Nalell Kapten got an interception that allowed the Lions to get a touchdown on the ensuing drive.

“Setting that up really hyped our team up,” Kapten said. “Just knowing we were out to do something great tonight.”

Goddard’s defense was able to hold off Andover for almost the entire night. The defense didn’t give up a single touchdown, and only one field goal.

Beason believes that the grit shown by his players in practice and during games is what sets his team apart from others that may be more athletically talented.

“We’re scrappy,” Beason said. “We’re not as good athletically as we would like to be in some spots, but they never ever quit on me and they play to the last week every play.”

Offensively, the Lions were able to dominate.

Sophomore quarterback Kyler Semrad said the home crowd is something that helps hype him up and will be a big factor in the Lions’ performance heading into the playoffs where Goddard will host the first round.

“Playing at home is awesome,” Semrad said. “They bring so much energy every week between the student section, the band and the fans. They definitely give us a huge advantage especially going into the playoffs.”

This story was originally published October 20, 2018 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Threepeat: Goddard clinches AVCTL II title outright with 32-3 victory over Andover."