Behind a strong defensive performance, the BRONCOS knocked off the LIONS by a score of 24-8 in the last game of the day on the South Side.

Philipp Townsend was the unquestioned star for the BRONCOS(1-0), recording three interceptions and returning one for a touchdown.

“[My coaches] told me to break down and go back and see where they’re going, so that’s what I did,” Townsend said.

The first half was a defensive struggle, as neither team was able to get much of anything going on offense. The teams traded touchdowns in the half, but both conversion attempts failed and the score was tied at six.

A late safety by the Lions (0-1) gave them a slim 8-6 lead at halftime.

Early in the second half, the BRONCOS started to take control. On their first play of the half, they handed it off to the running back, who juked out several defenders before taking off, sprinting the length of the field for a touchdown.

Down 12-8, the LIONS looked to retake the lead on the next possession. Pinned deep in their own territory, they decided to take a shot downfield. But the ball bounced off the receiver’s chest high into the air. Townsend ran underneath the ball and intercepted it. He took it all the way to the end zone, giving the Broncos a two-score lead.

“I thought I wasn’t going to catch it,” Townsend said. “But I caught it, and I thought they were going to get me at the first down line, so I just kept running.”

A late touchdown by the BRONCOS put the game out of reach for the LIONS, who never found a rhythm offensively.

Next week, the BRONCOS are hoping to build a winning streak against the RAIDERS  while the Lions will try to get their first win of the season when they take on the BILLS.