By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

The Kingwood Christian Lions used a stiff defense to take down the East Memorial Christian Wildcats, 38-9, at home Sept. 19.

The Lions opened the game with the ball, moving all the way to the EMCA 26 before Gavin Sumrall was picked off by Johnny Moore.

East Memorial then turned the ball over the next drive when Kingwood intercepted a pass. The Lions appeared to score when Sumrall hit Charles White for a 44-yard pass, but was called back on a hold. The Lions couldn’t convert on fourth down, and turned it back over.

EMCA followed suit, and on the next Kingwood drive, Carlos Stephens broke a 15-yard run for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, giving KCS a 6-0 lead with 10:46 left in the second.

On their next drive, the Lions scored when Sumrall connected with Montez Haynes for a 49-yard toss. The extra point was good, and the Lions led, 13-0.

After EMCA punted, the Lions found themselves pinned on their own 4-yard line. It was no matter, as Sumrall hit Haynes on a screen pass taking it 96 yards for a touchdown. The two point try was no good, and the Lions led 19-0.

Kingwood scored again on the next drive, pulling ahead 25-0 at the half on a Sumrall pass to Gage Sumrall.

EMCA got on the board with 3:29 left in the third when Chandler Warren booted a 21-yard field goal to make it 25-3.

The Lions scored next when Gavin Sumrall hit C’Yontai Lewis for 33 yards. With a blocked extra point, the score was 31-3 in favor of KCS.

The final Kingwood score of the game took place when Sumrall hit Keondre Bailey for four yards to pull ahead 38-3. EMCA managed a late touchdown, but it was too little, too late as KCS took the 38-9 win.

“We finally started to click on defense,” said head coach Steve Birmingham. “We’re getting there.”

Gavin Sumrall finished with 390 yards passing and five touchdowns. Haynes led all receivers with 169 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Jonathan Faulkner had a forced fumble, while Lewis and Haynes each had an interception.

KCS will host Evangel Christian out of Montgomery Sept. 27.