Covington’s Lions open up on the road tonight going against the St. Amant Gators in The Pit with the game starting at 7 o’clock.

The Lions’ coming off a 21-16 loss to the John Curtis Patriots, the defending Class 2A champs, made it a game effort battling to the end scoring two touchdowns in the final 1:29 of the Covington Jamboree.

Covington second-year coach Malter Scobel was impressed with his team’s never quit attitude against Curtis.

Covington Lions' senior running back Phillip Bickham tallies on a two-yard run late in the second half against the John Curtis Patriots in last week's Covington Jamboree. CHS travels to St. Amant for the season opener tonight. (File photo by Mike McCall)

“I was proud of the way they fought and battled back,” Scobel said.

CHS senior quarterback Tyler Scott engineered an 11-play 61-yard drive on the Lions’ first possession against Curtis. The drive took 7:01 off the clock culminating with senior kicker Spencer Graham booting home a 24-yard field goal.

With just 1:29 remaining in the game, senior running back Phillip Bickham fought his way into the end zone from two yards out, which cut the lead to 21-9 and Graham tacked on the PAT.

The Lions’ special teams executed a perfect on sides kick by Graham with senior linebacker Robert Memleb recovering the ball after it bounced off a Curtis player. Memleb also replaced starting linebacker Otha Peters, who was out with an injury and was recognized by coach Scobel for stepping in and playing his heart out.

Scott finished 6-of-9 for 76 yards and he connected with junior wide receiver Jarius Bickham on a 23-yard scoring pass with just 28.5 seconds left to cut the lead to 21-16. The Lions went for a two-point conversion, but Scott was unsuccessful.

Phillip Bickham picked up 38 tough yards on 16 carries against Curtis. Senior tight end David “Tank” Mizell topped the Lions’ receivers with three catches for 40 yards. His long gain was an 18-yard reception. St. Amant second-year coach David Oliver looks for his Gators to rebound from last year’s 0-9 season.

St. Amant tied Walker High School 13-13 in the Ascension Parish/Livingston Parish Jamboree held at Denham Springs last week. Oliver scouted Covington last week at Jack Salter Stadium.

“I was impressed with what I saw from Covington against John Curtis. We will have to protect the ball and be sound in our assignments. Covington plays a unique, unconventional type defense that coach Malter Scobel came up with. They line up different from most teams and they move around up front,” Oliver said.

St. Amant has 19 seniors on this year’s club.

The Gators run a double slot triple option offense operated by sophomore quarterback Tyler Guillory (5-10, 190), who started the last three games last year. He completed 18-of-39 passes for 329 yards with three TDs and two interceptions.

Senior Tre Vaughn was the Gators’ leading rusher and second best receiver being named second team all-district. He picked up 488 yards with six touchdowns. He also had 11 catches for 164 yards and a score.

“Tre is a guy you can count on,” Oliver said.

Senior fullback Nelson Jointer had 39 carries for 200 yards and one touchdown.

Senior wide receiver Chase Keller, a second team all-district player, caught 16 passes for 201 yards with two TDs.

The Gators start five seniors on their offensive line.

St. Amant plays a multiple 50-defense led by senior nose guard Marvin Martin (6-4, 270), who recorded 28 solo stops with 22 assists. He registered six tackles for losses with two sacks.

Oliver said the strength of the defense should be the d-line, which returns nine players. Two outside linebackers return in senior Romel Streit and junior Marlon Bourgeois.

Oliver said his team has a young secondary.