Facing the Maiden Blue Devils is difficult enough, trying to beat them while committing four turnovers in the first half is impossible.
The North Lincoln Knights in their first away game of the year fell 55-15 to the Blue Devils Friday night.
Tommy Henry, Maiden’s do-everything back, scored six touchdowns on his way to 193 yards on 16 carries. Knights’ head coach Lonnie Custer was impressed by Henry who is on pace to break many rushing records.
“He`s as good as advertised. He hits the hole hard
and has good field vision,” he said.
Custer believed those four first-half turnovers killed them.
“You can`t turn the ball four times in the first half
and expect to stay with a team like Maiden. I think
they`ll go pretty deep in the playoffs if they stay
healthy,” he said.
Despite the lopsided score, two bright spots for North Lincoln were running back Josh McClain and Trent Hopkins. Hopkins scored both North touchdowns on two running plays. The first touchdown was a 24-yard run, while the second one was of the 36-yard variety.
McClain averaged 7.2 yards a carry gaining 44 yards on six carries. Custer was pleased with his team, especially that duo, in the second half.
“I thought we played a lot better the second half. The
offensive line did a better job picking up some of the
schemes they were throwing at us. Josh has good feet and played well. Trent did a good job reading his blocks and scored some late touchdowns,” he said.
Lesharion Johnson led North Lincoln in receiving catching two balls for 27 yards.
The Knights fall to 2-4 on the year and 0-2 in the Southern Foothills Conference.
They will face another premier running back this week as they face Bessemer City’s Shane Whitlock.
“They`re a big physical team who`s found their stride. It`s definitely going to be a challenge. We`re going
to have to deal with another good running back. He`s (Shane Whitlock) more of an inside runner
with a lot of power,” Custer said.
by John Mark Brooks
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