Hawks snap losing streak

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 24, 2008 12:13 PM

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LAGRANGE -- North Lenoir broke a 13-game losing streak that dated back to 2006, with a 48-34 victory over Richlands. The game was the season opener for both teams.

Sticking to their wing-T rushing system, the Hawks pounded out 460 rushing yards as a team. Senior Marquez Powell carried a bulk of the load for North Lenoir and racked up 292 yards on 31 carries in the process. The powerful fullback also reached the endzone four times.

"Powell was amazing tonight," Hawk head coach Wayne Jackson said. "Not only did he carry the ball 31 times, he played almost every down at linebacker too."

After a knee injury stole Powell's freshman season, Jackson and his staff decided to move him from outside linebacker to defensive end. During fall practice Jackson decided to move Powell again, this time to inside linebacker.

"Marquez is just such a good athlete," Jackson said. "Not to many guys would be able to play a whole game the way he did."

The long-time head coach was also quick to point out his team's effort on offense and comeback mentality when Richlands rallied at the end of the first half.

"It was a lot of character that our kids showed tonight," Jackson said. "After an 0-11 year last year, to come out and play as well as we did, that says a lot about these kids."

North Lenoir will be back in action at North Johnston on Friday.