Snapping a winning streak that went back to 2007, the Cannon County Lions clawed their way to victory a yard at a time, nickel and diming their way to a 19-7 victory over the DeKalb County Tigers Friday night in Woodbury.

“It’s all about execution,” said Tiger Head Coach Steve Trapp of the loss which saw the Lions control the clock and the ball, breaking off runs of three and four yards as they patiently stuck to the ground game behind DeKalb County product Tyler Bundy who rushed for over 100 yards and all three of Cannon County’s touchdowns. “Until we fix our execution problems we’re not going to have success.”

Early on it appeared the Tigers would add another win to their streak and ruin homecoming for the Lions as Axel Aldino hooked up with Grayson Redmon, threading the needle between two Lion defenders for a 80-yard touchdown to give DeKalb a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

The elation would not last; however, as Cannon County began patiently grinding the ball down the field behind Bundy and others, content to gain three yards at a time, often going for it on fourth down to continue drives. Their second drive of the evening ended in a five-yard Bundy run. They remained behind at the half 7-6 after missing the extra point.

The Tiger lead ended with the Lions’ first possession of the second half as Cannon went on a 13-play, 77-yard drive that chewed up most of the third quarter, culminating with a two-yard Bundy plunge into the endzone making the score 13-7.

While unable to resist the Cannon onslaught, the Tigers remained viable throughout the game, doing just enough to keep the Lions for tacking on another score. Aldino, who went over 100 yards passing for the game but threw a season-high three interceptions, was able to position his squad for a possible go ahead score with just under five minutes to go in the game after driving into Lion territory. However, a desperation pass on fourth down was intercepted by a Cannon defender. Aldino was able to chase down the Lion but his effort only shortly delayed the Lion score as Bundy carried Tigers on his back as he bulldozed into the endzone with three minutes to go in the game to give his team a happy homecoming and a 19-7 win.

“It’s good to know beating us can be such a big deal for some teams,” Trapp said of the celebration that ensued after the Lion victory. “For us, we’re going to keep working, trying to get better.”

Trapp said injuries continue to mount even as his squad sits at 2-4 on the season. “We have some dinged up and we’re waiting on word about David Bradford’s shoulder,” the coach said of his workhorse running back who has been out since late in the Watertown game two weeks ago.

The Tigers play host to Livingston Academy this Friday for homecoming. Kick off begins at 7 p.m. and festivities at 6:30 p.m. at the field.