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Running away with it: Lions new rusher gives powerful debut
By Andrew Snyder, asnyder@starlocalnews.com
While known commodities dominated the discussion heading into the 2012 football season, the opening week gave newcomers like McKinney junior running back Tommy Candela a chance to force their way into the mix with a breakout performance.
Candela made an impact in his first start, running for 208 yards and two scores in a 55-46 win over Mansfield Legacy that helped the Lions break an 11-game losing streak.
“Tommy had a really good spring and last Friday night was his debut,” said Jeff Smith, McKinney head coach. “He's a physical runner, very much of a north-south guy, but he's got some speed, some good hands and good vision. He did a really good job. It was a good game for him and a nice surprise seeing him step up the way he did.”
McKinney totaled more than 600 yards of offense Friday.
The bulk of that yardage came on the ground, where the 1-2 punch of Candela, the more powerful option, and senior Red Shannon, the quicker, decimated the Broncos’ defense to the tune of 380 yards. Combined with the aerial game provided by senior quarterback Robert Somborn and receivers T.V. Williams, Connor Fuentes and Shannon, the power-back stylings of Candela gave the Lions a variety of options on offense.
The Lions relied heavily on their passing game last year and didn’t get much production on the ground until Shannon took over rushing responsibilities midway through the season, though they continued to throw for the majority of their yardage.
A more balanced attack has already paid dividends this season.
The Lions return to play Thursday against Frisco Heritage, which was susceptible to any avenue of offense in a 53-14 season-opening loss to Lovejoy.
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