The Chicago Lions downed the Chicago Griffins 31-17 Saturday in both teams’ league opener, and they did so with a lot of help from the boot of flyhalf Nick Viviani, who slotted seven of nine penalty attempts to account for 21 of the Lions’ points.

Viviani was complimentary of his teammates who put him in position to score all those points, especially lauding the play of front rowers John Vitale, Phil Abraham and Dave Knab.

“ We picked apart their weak points pretty good. I think we actually had an advantage in all phases,” said Viviani.

“Our scrum, our front row, pretty much manhandled them throughout the game…Pretty much had the advantage in the lineout as well. Our centers beat up the middle of the field as well, and the back three kicking to corners and then obviously kicking for points. We won all aspects, I think.”