North Pike football fans might want to circle Aug. 30 on their calendars.
That was the date North Pike senior running back Lakedric Lee broke out for a career night against Franklin County in the Jaguars’ 34-20 victory.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Lee accounted for 205 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns against the Bulldogs. Lee rushed 11 times for 179 yards, including two scoring runs of 57 and 20 yards. He also caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Austin Smith for another touchdown.
For his performance, Lee was selected the Enterprise-Journal Player of the Week.
“It was my best game so far,” Lee said. “I came out confident and knew my O-line would step up with blocks. They told me they had my back. I took them at their word and just ran the ball. This game showed what I’m capable of doing.”
Lee rushed for 678 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Through only two games this season, Lee has has 271 rushing yards on 20 attempts with three touchdowns for the Jaguars, who are 2-0 on the season.
North Pike head coach Chris Smith said physically, Lee is capable of having games like the one against Franklin County every time out. He said it’s his mental preparation that is often lacking.
“(Lakedric) played well Friday night after he got his mind in the game,” Smith said. “He went out not very focused. We had a heart to heart and then he showed what he is capable of doing. I told him he needed to get his mind on playing football.”
Lee’s 57-yard scoring jaunt put the Jaguars up 7-0 with 1:13 left in the opening quarter. That was followed by his 26-yard touchdown catch 3:09 before halftime and put the Jaguars up 21-0. Lee’s 20-yard touchdown run came with 8:00 left.
QB Smith was 8 of 15 passing for 211 yards and two touchdowns. Jaguar receiver Javian Jackson caught three passes for 104 yards.
Lee said senior offensive lineman Ethan Frith — a Florida State commit — offered encouragement before the game.
“I had a lot of confidence before the game,” Lee said. “Ethan told me ‘We’ll block for you and you handle the rest.’ I know when I’m running behind him, good things are going to happen.”
Lee said one of his season goals is to rush for 100 yards per game for the remainder of the season.
North Pike visits Brookhaven High School Friday night. Lee said he expects another big performance.
“I’m going to try and play as hard as ever and run better and harder,” Lee said.
Smith said Lee cane be as good a player as he wants to be.
“I think he is a Division-I player, but he’s got to make up his mind on what he wants to do,” Smith said.
Other outstanding performances from the past weekend included:
• McComb quarterback Alex Woodall’s 317 all-purpose yards in a 49-18 victory over Forest Hill. Woodall was 15 of 23 passing for 271 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 20 times for 46 yards and two more scores. McComb’s Larkin Walker accounted for 148 yards and two scores. He caught three passes for 101 yards and a score and rushed three times for 47 yards and another score.
• Bogue Chitto quarterback Brock Roberts’ 224 yards rushing and passing, and two touchdowns in a 40-16 win over Enterprise. Roberts threw for 137 yards and a touchdown. Bogue Chitto senior running back Jermaine Blackwell rushed 14 times for 176 yards and three touchdowns. Also, linebacker Jeremy Blackwell registered 14 tackles.
• Parklane quarterback Brady Lea’s combined 179 yards and three touchdowns in a 23-0 victory over Brookhaven Academy. Lea threw for 92 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 18 times for 87 yards, including a 36-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.
• PA running back Dan Gill’s 10 carries for 119 yards.
• Amite County running back Darrion Robinson’s 10 rushes for 179 yards and three touchdowns in a 20-6 victory over Jackson Wingfield. His scoring runs covered 86, 6 and 5 yards. Defensively, Robinson broke up three passes, had an interception and had four tackles.
