Explosive Chambers helps lead Lockport to win over Starpoint

One of Lockport’s biggest challenges this season is to maximize the ability of James Chambers.

When the talented senior running back is on and running for positive yardage, the Lions at their best.

Chambers was doing just that Saturday (Sept. 8) against Starpoint, running for 150 yards and scoring twice in a 31-6 win.

A rainy afternoon could not slow down Chambers, who ran for a 57-yard touchdown in the third quarter and caught a 46-yard score that would put Lockport in the lead 10-6 late in the first quarter. The Lions did not surrender the lead the rest of the way.

“James has tremendous ability. His biggest challenge is to remain consistent,” Lockport head coach Greg Bronson said. “He will have minus plays, but then have long runs.”

“We’ve got to make sure we are staying on our blocks every play because even if it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen for (James), he can turn it into a big play if we don’t give up,” he added.

After a 37-yard field goal by kicker Kyle Few put Lockport up 3-0, Evan Majewski responded with an 80-yard touchdown, but they were the only points Starpoint would put on the board in the game.

Lockport middle linebacker Moziah Townsend started off the second quarter by intercepting Spartans’ quarterback Andrew Rainkie, who later left the game with a concussion.

Chambers gained 18-yards on the third-and-long, and Lockport quarterback Dan Bronson followed by running the ball into the end zone. With Few’s extra point, Lockport led 17-6.

In the fourth quarter, Lockport’s Will Diebel intercepted the ball, stopping Starpoint’s drive at midfield. The Lions pushed down the field in seven plays with Marshall Evan’s scoring a 1-yard touchdown run.

With eight minutes left on the clock, the thunder and lightning appeared in the distance, with the rain following close behind, forcing referees to postpone the game for the state required 30 minutes.

The wind picked up and the rain turned to hail but it was all over within a few minutes and the football game resumed, minus a few hundred fans in the stands.

Next week, the Lions will host Hutch-Tech at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 15), then celebrate its Homecoming weekend the game after against Niagara Falls.

Lockport gives challenge to defending state champ O.P.

Despite a 41-21 loss, the Lockport Lions have a lot to build off from in their 2012 season opener against the defending state champion Orchard Park Quakers the next day on Saturday, Sept. 1 in front of a good crowd at Max D. Lederer Field in Lockport.

Lockport held the lead late in the second quarter at 14-13 as James Chambers ran for consecutive long touchdowns of 55 and 65 yards. Orchard Park regained the lead,21-14, going into halftime.

Toward the end of the third quarter, the Lions, still fighting hard, gained 62 yards during a 10-play scoring drive, capped by Moziah Townsend’s one-yard run into the end zone for a touchdown to bring Lockport to within 28-21. However, the Quakers finished the game with a 14-0 fourth quarter.

Orchard Park senior quarterback Ben Holmes threw for two touchdowns, while classmates Mitch Wilson and Jett Modkins each ran for two touchdowns

Chambers totaled 180 yards on 15 rushes during an impressive performance from the senior. Lockport wide receiver R.D. Hillman, caught five balls for 61 yards. On defense, Lockport senior Tom Furlong added two sacks. Lockport’s junior quarterback Dan Bronson completed 6 of 9 passes.