The Class 5A East regional playoff game went according to plan for the first few minutes on Friday night in Lansing for the varsity football team from Lansing High School.

    Unfortunately from that point forward, the visiting Thunder of St. James Academy were able to use big plays on offense and defense to roll to a 41-20 win and end the Lions’ season.

    “I’m disappointed for our kids,” Lansing head coach John McCall said. “St. James did a great job. We just didn’t execute as well we had to in order to win a game of this magnitude or play mistake-free football. Our kids were playing hard and trying.”

    The Lions received the opening kickoff and true to their game plan, ate up nearly seven minutes of game time with 12 plays to go 56 yards and take a 7-0 lead on an eight-yard touchdown run by junior Quinton McQuillan.

    Lansing’s defense was similarly impressive early, forcing a punt on St. James’ first possession and holding the Thunder without a single yard of offense through the first quarter of play.

    As the second quarter began, the Lions were trying to protect their 7-0 lead, and that effort fell short quickly. St. James tied the game with a 27-yard touchdown pass play with 10:39 left before half time.

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