When they needed a win most, they got it. The Tallwood Lions varsity football team won their final regular season game, as they defeated the Bayside Marlins by a score of 21-19. The senior night victory snapped the Lions’ 3-game losing streak, which included a very controversial homecoming loss to Landstown. But more importantly, the win put Tallwood in the Virginia Division 6A playoffs.

The Lions started off hot this season, as they beat Princess Anne and Green Run in late August. After their 49-21 loss to undefeated Ocean Lakes, Tallwood rattled off three straight victories, which included a shutout of the Kempsville Braves, a 21-point victory over the Kellam Knights, and a nail-biting 25-20 win over the Patriots of First Colonial High School.

However, after the 5-1 start, the Lions’ playoff hopes were derailed by three straight losses. The first loss was an 14-7 overtime defeat at the hands of rival Salem; a team whose defense allowed opponents to score only 8.8 points per game. The second loss was a 13-10 road loss to the Cox Falcons, who scored all 13 points in the third quarter. Finally, the Lions’ homecoming game resulted in a 4-point loss to the Landstown Eagles in a game that saw a potential game winning drive end on a fumble that was controversial among students and parents.

After the losing streak, the final game against Bayside was a must-win. Tallwood was on the brink of elimination after the loss to Landstown, as they fell out of MaxPrep’s Division 6A playoff picture. In order to get into the playoffs, they needed a win over the Marlins, and a few 6A teams to drop their final regular season games.

The 2018 regular season saw many ups and downs for the Lions. However, the team showed their resilience against Bayside, and bounced back to win what was many players’ final regular season game. The clutch victory allowed Tallwood to make the 6A playoffs, for a shot at the Virginia Group 6A championship. Their first playoff test is a tough road game at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia.

The Lions will be tested, but Tallwood has been tested all season, and as many fell times they fell, they got back up again. Good luck to the Tallwood Lions varsity football team on their quest for the Virginia Group 6A championship.