by Doug Comer
CORRESPONDENT
(September 5) PHILIPPI -- Philip Barbour's Josh Skidmore made a lot from a little Friday night.
The sophomore running back scored both times he touched the ball to lead the Colts to a 29-7 win.
"He's a good one," said Philip Barbour head coach Mike Hicks. "He's already turning into a good role model for the team."
Skidmore scored first on a 9-yard run in the third period, then on a 33-yarder in the fourth quarter.
Hicks also was pleased with his team's intensity.
In its first game against Liberty, Philip Barbour was lethargic until late in the second quarter. Hicks thinks that played a key role in the loss to the Mountaineers.
"I think we had the first game jitters against Liberty. ... It cost us," Hicks said.
"But, the kids were hungry for this game. They wanted an early win and they got it," Hicks said.
Philip Barbour ran the ball efficiently from the very first drive.
Starting at their own 27, the Colts marched 73 yards to score first.
Mark Harris, a senior running back, carried eight times in the drive for 32 yards. Skidmore's score capped the possession.
Lewis County came close to tying the game at 7 midway through the second quarter. But the Colts' defense stepped up and stopped the visitors on a fourth-down play from the 8.
At the 2:56 mark of the second quarter, Joe Newman caught an 18-yard pass from Eddie Flowers to widen the Colts' lead to 14-0. The drive took seven plays and covered 53 yards.
Newman scored later in the third quarter on a fumble recovery from 5 yards.
Facing a fourth-and-9, Flowers hit Jason Lake in the flat for a 17-yard gain.
Down at the 5, Lake had the ball stripped away by a Lewis County player. However, Newman picked up the ball and went into the end zone.
Harris led all rushers with 84 yards on 19 carries. Newman had three catches for 35 yards and two scores.
Jay Butcher carried the ball 24 times for 57 yards and a touchdown to lead Lewis County. Tim Pickens followed with 56 yards.