The Greenville Lions were a much quicker football team than their 2018 predecessors.

 That extra speed showed up in the win column and on the stat sheet.

 The Lions improved from a 2-7 record in 2018 to 6-5 in 2019. It was their first winning record since 2009 (6-4) and they made their first trip to the playoffs since 2003.

 The Lions’ scoring was up. They averaged 31.7 points per game in 2019, as opposed to 22.6 for the previous season.

 Their total offense, rushing and passing numbers were also improved. The 2019 Lions averaged 324 yards per game, up from a norm of 282.1 in 2018. They ran for 2,254 yards and 24 touchdowns this past season, up from the 2018 totals of 1,381 yards and 22 TDs. They also passed for 1,310 yards and 16 TDs, up from the previous total of 1,158 yards and four TDs.

 Running back Lester Turner boosted his rushing numbers with 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns on 183 carries, significantly up from his 2018 totals (117-565).

 Quarterback Brandon Stephens’ numbers were up as his playing time also increased. Stephens passed for a team-high 1,173 yards and 14 touchdowns, completing 79 of 168 attempts and ran for 584 yards and five touchdowns on 127 keeps. Stephens passed for 276 yards and ran for 148 in 2018.

 Caleb Johnson led the Lion receivers with 30 catches for 479 yards and six touchdowns, while Shawn Brown led in receiving yards with 504 yards and six TDs off 20 receptions.

 Miles Denson also caught 20 passes for 243 yards and four TDs and ran for 406 yards and six scores on 62 carries.

 The Lions’ speed showed as six Greenville players ran for gains of 20 or more yards including Turner (long gain of 61 yards), Dartaevon Wilkerson (56), Denson (51), Stephens (45), Johnson (30) and Tyrecus Davis (23).

 Johnson’s speed showed on TD receptions of 72 and 65 yards, while Denson had a 61-yard reception and Brown had a 60-yarder. All three Lion receivers ran on their 4x100-meter relay team that went to regional last spring.

 The Lions also made some big plays on special teams and defense.

 Denson and Davis returned kickoffs for touchdowns of 70 and 50 yards.
