Lansing looked to take a step forward in 2020, and took a big one on Friday night.

The Lions opened the season with a 26-7 win vs Lincoln Prep, No. 10 in the latest 810 Varsity Top 25. 

Lansing (1-0) traded opening scores with the Tigers, who started with a scoring drive highlighted by a 4-yard Howard Brown touchdown run. Lansing answered shortly after a Dylan Ward 14-yard touchdown run for a 7-6 deficit. 

LHS took a 12-7 lead on a Caden Crawford pass to Malik Benson, who jetted 72 yards for a score, and a 12-7 lead.

Unfortunately on the ensuing drive, tragedy struck as Lincoln Prep star quarterback Howard Brown suffered a major leg injury, and later needed carted away. The departure of the Iowa State commit at defensive tackle took all wind out of the Tigers' sails.

A fumble on the possession led to a Bryson Raymond 13-yard run on a counter to the LP 3 to set up Crawford 3-yard TD run and a 19-7 Lansing lead. Another scoring drive capped by a Crawford run put the score at 26-7 before intermission.

For the game, Crawford threw for 116 passing yards and a TD, and two rushing TDs while notching 12.5 tackles and forcing a fumble.

Benson finished with 74 receiving yards, while Lane Gates hauled in a 36-yard reception to help set up Lansing's final score.

Shawn Patton led the Lions with a game-high 95 rushing yards, while Cameron Ernzen (61 yards) and Raymond (30 yards) also helped the ground game.

The Lions will play host to Piper next Friday, while Lincoln Prep will play at East.