Woods Helps Littlerock Roll Past Antelope Valley

Tailback Rodney Woods rushed for a school-record 323 yards in 35 carries to lead Littlerock High to a 37-27 Golden League victory over Antelope Valley in a game they desperately needed to stay in contention for their second consecutive league title.

“Big-time players need to come through in big situations,” Coach Jim Bauer said. “That was a big-time performance.”

Woods scored on first-half runs of 21 and three yards, then churned out 183 yards in the second half, when the Lobos (6-2, 2-1 in league play) overcame a 24-19 deficit.

The teams combined for 849 yards.

“That was a great football game,” said Bauer, whose team scored the final 18 points. “Unless, of course, you’re a defensive coach.”

Littlerock took its first lead, 30-27, on Ernie Narez’s 19-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Richard Newton added a six-yard touchdown run on a bootleg to seal it with 3:58 left.

Newton completed nine of 15 passes for 128 yards, including touchdowns of 50 and 10 yards to Marcus Raines.

Antelope Valley (3-5, 2-1) and its triple-option offense averaged 40.3 points in its previous three games, and looked to be on its way to another romp.

The Antelopes scored on their first two possessions to claim a 14-0 lead and had 259 first-half yards against the league’s top defense.

Littlerock allowed only 97 yards and three points in the second half.

“That’s a tough loss,” said Coach Brent Newcomb of Antelope Valley. “That’s one of those lost victories.”

Through 24 minutes, the Antelopes looked nearly unstoppable.

Jon Molock rushed for 112 yards in the first half, but finished with only 118.

Brandon Stewart added 114 yards in 11 carries and Ron Miller gained 67 yards in six carries.

Littlerock, which lost to Highland, 40-14, last week, can still claim a share of its second consecutive league championship.

The Lobos need to defeat Lancaster and Palmdale and hope Highland stumbles against Quartz Hill or Antelope Valley.

If Woods continues to run like he did Friday night, Littlerock’s end of that deal could be a lock.

“We just couldn’t tackle him,” Newcomb said.

Woods, with 1,303 yards, needs 126 next week to break Lafayette Bailey’s season record of 1,428. His 35 carries against Antelope Valley tied a school record.

Miller scored on a 57-yard run and Molock added a 42-yard touchdown run in he first quarter to stake Antelope Valley to a 14-0 lead.

The matchup of the league’s top offense versus its best defense went to the offense in the first half.