Kalu overcomes early mistake with thrilling 97-yard touchdown return

Despite having leg cramps late in the game, Josh Kalu made up for an early crucial fumble.
Kalu had a 97-yard kickoff return and Alief Taylor’ s defense held Bellaire to three second-half points while taking a 22-9 victory Friday night at Butler Stadium.
Kalu made amends with a 97-yard touchdown return after muffing a second-quarter punt, which led to Bellaire’s only touchdown of the game.
Taylor (1-0) trailed 9-6 when Kalu caught the ball on the left hash, reversed the field and raced by a group of Cardinals en route to the end zone, giving the Lions a lead it would never lose.
“Going into the play I was already cramping a little,” Defensive back Kalu explained.  I told my team after that muffed punt return; I told them I had to get it.  So when I had my opportunity, I had to go. Soon as I had it, I took off.  I felt the cramp, but I had to keep going. I made one move, saw open field and I had to take it.”
The Lions’ defense was on its game the entire night; only surrendering a Ryan Buckley 31-yard field goal in the second half.
Linebacker Camnik Campbell provided some bone crushing sticks for the Lions.
“In practice we worked on our key components,” Campbell mentioned.  “We went over it several times. So once we saw it in the game, we begin to pick up what they were doing in practice. When you work on those things it becomes easy. I watch film a lot when I’m at home.  That’s what gets me motivated.’
After a defensive first quarter, Bellaire took advantage of a fumbled punt when kick returner Kalu lost control of the ball at the Lions 32 yard line. It wasn’t clear if Kalu lost sight of the ball.  
From there, Bellaire (0-1) pieced together a six-play drive that watched receiver Courtney Lark out-wit defensive back William Antoine for the ball, scoring on a nine-yard touchdown catch. That gave the Cardinals a 6-0 lead after a blocked extra point kick.
“Bellaire is a heck of a team.  Their big, strong, they have a good system going,” Alief Taylor’s coach J. D. Jordan said.  Coach Sissom does a good job.  “We’re good friends now that the game is over and before.  We felt like we shot ourselves in the foot with the two turnovers.  Kalu fumbled on the muffed punt and we fumbled on the reverse.”
On its next series, Taylor drew even with a 77-yard drive of its own.  The drive was highlighted by Kaleb Campbell’s 40-yard reception down and Keenan Brown’s catch at the one.  Quarterback Remi Olonade finished the drive with a one-yard plunge, knotting the score at six after Ramon Medina’s kick sailed wide left.
Olonade finished his evening 11-of-21 with one pick, 185 yards passing and a touchdown.  Receiver Keenen Brown had five receptions for 81 yards while Anu Somoye grabbed two passes for 65 yards.
Bellaire’s quarterback Trevon Smith was 9-of-23 with an interception, 149 passing yards and a touchdown.  Receiver Ryheem Malone caught four passes for 93 yards and Courtney Lark finished three receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Bellaire’s opportunity for six points slipped away when Ryheem Malone broke free down the right side line and ran under a beautiful pass from Smith. However, he was tracked down from behind at the 19 which left the Cardinals with three points, after a Ryan Buckley 31-yard field goal.
Then on the ensuing kickoff, Kalu raced 97-yards to pay dirt.
The Lions would add nine more points in the fourth quarter.  Defensive lineman Jerry Medford’s blocked punt led to a safety and Campbell’s 13-yard touchdown run closed the scoring.