L.C. Bird keeps streak alive with win

By Arthur Utley

Published: October 10, 2009

L.C. Bird's multi-year winning streak in the Dominion District is intact for another week.

The latest Skyhawks victory, 21-14 at Cosby last night, extended the run of regular-season district "W's" to 19. They have won 39 of 40 since early in 2003. The loss was 14-13 to Huguenot in 2006.

Ranked No. 2 in The Times-Dispatch Top 10, L.C. Bird is 3-0 in the district and 5-0 overall. The sixth-ranked Titans, in their first year in Division 6, dropped to 3-1, 4-1.

"We've got some tough kids. They find a way to win," L.C. Bird coach David Bedwell said. "The kids don't want to lose."

The Skyhawks' way to win last night was Donte Meekins' punt return in the fourth quarter. Bird trailed 14-13, and Titans punter Stephen Denuel had been kicking so well, the Skyhawks hadn't fielded the punts.

The kick this time was low and right at Meekins, who fielded the ball at his 37, hesitated a moment, then burst up the middle. He juked one defender and headed for the goal line.

Meekins, a senior, didn't start until this season. He plays cornerback and returns punts. Last night was the first time he's taken one all the way.

The Skyhawks didn't have a return on.

"All 63 yards he did on his own," Bedwell said.

Said Meekins, "I was looking for a hole, when I saw it, I took it." The juke, which left a Titans' defender grasping at air, "just came natural."

The Skyhawks overcame another passel of penalties. They were flagged 15 times for 145 yards. Bird penalties helped Cosby score both TDs.

After a scoreless first quarter, the teams put 27 points on the board in the second. Brandon Williams intercepted a Fuller Hoepner pass and returned it 29 yards to the Cosby 10. Two plays later, Lionel Williams (20 carries, 109 yards) ran in from 3 yards for the TD.

The Titans came right back with a 67-yard drive that ended with Hoepner (23-64) scoring from 10 yards out.

With James River's victory over Manchester, all Dominion teams have a district loss except Bird. The Skyhawks play at James River next week.

"It's tough coming out every week with a big target on our chests," Harris said. "We work hard in practice because the next game might be the one that somebody upsets us."

Contact Arthur Utley at (804) 649-6559 or autley@timesdispatch.com

L.C. Bird ------------------------- 0 13 0 8 -- 21
Cosby ------------------------- 0 14 0 0 -- 14

LCB -- L. Williams 3 run (Keck kick)

C -- Hoepner 10 run (Denuel kick)

LCB -- B. Williams 65 pass from Harris (pass failed)

C -- Hoepner 3 run (Denuel kick)

LCB -- Meekins 63 punt return (Harris run)

RUSHING

L.C. Bird: L. Williams 20 carries 109 yards; Harris 13-39, Sayles 3-11, Faison 1-5. Cosby: Crawley-Lambert 11-34, Hoepner 23-64, Redd 2-8, Ferrell 3-1.

PASSING

L.C. Bird: Harris 5 completions 8 attempts 96 yards 1 interception.. Cosby: Hoepner 8-14-107-2.

RECEIVING

L.C. Bird: B. Williams 3 receptions 84 yards, Santiago 1-9, Lee 1-3. Cosby: Dillon 3-51, Lusk 2-28, Crawley-Lambert 2-18, Redd 1-10.