Lombard fuels Mustang’s to victory

Updated: October 28, 2011 11:49PM

Since taking over the starting running back position midway through the season, St. Rita’s Tim Lombard has cemented his role on the team.

The junior burst out in a big way for the Mustangs on Friday, rushing for 225 yards and four scores in host St. Rita’s 35-10 win over Shepard in Class 7A action.

“Our offensive line opened up huge holes, just enormous,” Lombard said. “I’ve never seen anything like them. They’re easy to run through. One cut, and that’s it. It was awesome.”

Lombard had two scores (9, 18 yards) in the first half to go with a T.J. Verdun 71-yard punt return for a score as No. 4 St. Rita (8-2) opened a commanding 21-3 halftime lead.

“We had to come out with a bang,” Lombard said. “We had to show what we could do, and that the offense isn’t the (weak point) of the team.”

He added scores on runs of 12 and 11 yards in the second half.

Jimmy McClinton finished 24-for-52 passing for 203 yards with a 2-yard TD to Londell Lee.

Shepard (5-5) was limited to 12 rushes for 14 total yards. Tommy Eyer drilled a 30-yard field goal late in the first half for the Astros.

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