WEED – The Etna Lion junior varsity’s defense came up with a game-winning safety with 3:19 to play, snatching a 2-0 win over the Weed Cougars on Friday night to open the football season. Both teams showed flashes of offensive ability during the game, but it was defense that ruled for the most part.

Early in the fourth quarter, Weed was in a punting situation, when Lion Preston Munson came to his coaches and asked to be put in the game.

“I can block the punt,” Munson said.

The Etna staff sent Munson into the game. True to his word, Munson broke through the line and blocked the kick. Weed recovered the ball, but Etna took over on the Cougar 14-yard-line on downs.

Weed’s defense then stepped up, with Aaron Peruzzi picking off a fourth-down pass, giving the Cougar’s the ball on their own 10-yard-line, with 5:37 to play in the contest.

It was just what the Lions’ defense needed. On third down, the Lions nearly had a safety, forcing the Cougars to punt from their own end zone. The fourth-down snap from center sailed over the punter’s head and out the back of the end zone, giving the Lions a 2-0 lead, and eventual win.

Weed had one last shot when they recovered an Etna fumble near midfield, with 3:10 remaining, but Etna’s defense stepped up again to regain the ball on downs.