By Justin Fedich | The Selma Times-Journal

The 7- and 8-year-old Selma youth football championship game between the Lions and Packers went scoreless in regulation, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t filled with excitement all the way through.

Through a back-and-forth battle, Lions running back Derick Smith put an exclamation point on a championship victory with a touchdown run and two-point conversion in overtime to lift the Lions over the Packers 8-6 Monday at Memorial Stadium.

Lions head coach Johnny Manuel couldn’t stop smiling after the game was through.

“We pulled it through, and I’m very proud of them,” Manuel said.

The Lions got out to a fast start on offense. Raquez Broadnax ripped off a 24-yard run on just the second play of the game and Smith followed it up with an 18-yard run. The Lions couldn’t convert that drive into points, however, and turned the ball over on downs.

After failing to put together a successful drive of their own, the Packers got the ball right back when Jerel Sample recovered a Smith fumble. The two teams went into halftime scoreless.

With 4:30 left in the third quarter, the Lions decided to try a rare pass play. The pass was underthrown to the receiver, and over the head of Packers’ defender Jalen Prince. Still, Prince managed to backpedal, dive into the air and come down with the interception.

“It was unbelievable,” said Packers head coach Calvin Pritchett of the play.

The Packers were unable to capitalize on another turnover, and the Lions took over with intent to put the first points on the board before the clock ran out in the fourth quarter. Smith busted through the defense for back-to-back runs of 17 and 22 yards.

The Lions once again coughed up an opportunity to take a lead as Kemyron Pritchett recovered a fumble, effectively sending the game to overtime.

The Packers got the ball first in overtime, and JD Hamilton scored from 10 yards out. The Packers were unable to punch in the two-point conversion, opening the door for the Lions.

Smith seized control, scoring the touchdown and the two-point conversion to seal the championship for the Lions.

“I knew the whole time that he’s got some greatness in him,” Manuel said of Smith. “He’s an all-around player.”

Both coaches were proud of how their team performed. Manuel said his team learned from this game and from the season as a whole how to handle themselves in tough situations.

The Lions’ Keith Verrette Jr. was named defensive MVP of the game, as he had some key tackles for loss that kept the Packers from turning their drives into touchdowns.

Despite the loss, Pritchett said he was proud of the way his team fought until the end.

“They played good,” Pritchett said. “It could’ve been better, but they played good.”