Published: October 26, 2007 01:42 pm            

LOCKPORT NOTEBOOK: Lions hope to make it two straight over WSW

The Lions enter Saturday’s consolation bowl series on a high note, having won their regular season finale in convincing fashion last week, 40-6, over visiting Niagara-Wheatfield. Lockport finished third behind North Tonawanda and Kenmore West in the Section VI Class AA North standings, barely missing a sectional playoff bid.

The Lions, 5-3 overall under first-year coach Greg Bronson, punted the ball but once against the Falcons, racking up 17 first downs, 275 rushing yards, 153 passing yards and 414 totals yards (by comparison, the Falcons finished with four, 150, 15 and 152 respectively).

LHS sophomore tailback David Fluellen carried the ball 28 times for 188 yards, becoming the first Lions runner to top 1,000 rushing yards in a season since his brother, Jhamal Fluellen. A couple of players who made the most out of their playing time were backup running backs Jason Winters (three carries, 17 yards) and Alfonzo Maye (two carries, 8 yards).

On the receiving end, five different Lions registered completions. Fluellen and slippery Daryl Hawks had three catches apiece. Jacob Scheeler came off the bench and tossed a TD pass to senior Mike Scinta.

Davis and sophomore wrecking ball Luke Rankie led the defense with seven tackles points against the Falcons. Krishaon Ewing, Brynell Middleton and Shaun Reynolds added five apiece.

The Lions will play the Indians for the second time this season, having won their 2007 opener at West Seneca West back on Aug. 31, 17-8. Special teams and perseverance were the keys to that road victory as Lockport coughed up the all four times in the first half and trailed 8-0 at halftime.

That’s when Fluellen (1,010 rushing yards this season) took over, returning the second-half kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown as the Lions scored 17 unanswered points to win it.

• Hats off to the LHS varsity football ball boys this season, who do an excellent job. They are Ben Clark, 11, a sixth-grader at Casey Middle School in Williamsville; Charlie Sobieraski, 11, a sixth-grader at Emmet Belknap; Danny Bronson, 11, a sixth-grader at Belknap; Kyle Waple, 10, fifth-grader at John Pound; Ryan Guyton, 11, a sixth-grader North Park; Danny DiMillo, 9, fourth-grader at Charles Upson; and Dave Arlington, 8, a third-grader at Charles Upson.

— John D’Onofrio

        

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