SPORTS

Lakewood fan favorite Moody working overtime

Steve Helwagen
Correspondent

HEBRON - Like most of the kids on the Lakewood football team, senior David Moody is playing for the love of the game.

The happy moments have been few and far between for the Lancers, who dropped to 0-7 on the season after last week’s 42-12 loss to Licking Heights.

But as this season may not be going the way they wanted, Moody has carved out a niche as a crowd favorite. Every time his name is mentioned for carrying the ball on offense or making a tackle on defense, the crowd cheers when they hear that “David Moooo-deee” just made the play.

The 6-foot, 225-pound Moody has been a three-year starter at linebacker. But only this season with first-year head coach Jason Lee has he had a chance to also carry the ball at running back.

“I never really had a shot at running back before,” Moody said. “But Coach Lee saw in practice that I bust my tail. I can run the ball hard when I see a hole. We had one of our starters quit. I’ve stepped up and filled that role.”

Moody helped Lakewood avert a disaster early in the game against Licking Heights. Quarterback Connor Vierstra fumbled the ball near the Lancers’ goal line, but Moody was there to scoop it up. He rambled for a first down that helped Lakewood hold the ball for all but three plays of the first quarter.

“I literally said, ‘Oh crap, Connor,’” Moody said. “I just had to pick it up and try and make a play.”

Moody continues to make plenty of tackles from his weakside linebacker spot. He tied with senior defensive back Josh Yost for the team lead at 51 tackles.

“As a three-year varsity starter, I have all of the experience I need,” he said. “I have watched easily a hundred hours of film. I know what’s coming and I’m ready to make that play.”

According to Lee, Moody has accepted coaching during what has been a tough season.

“He is one of those kids, to be honest with you, where his physical play has been pretty good,” Lee said. “But what he has brought to us emotionally and with his attitude has been the most dramatic turnaround I’ve seen out of a kid in a long time. He’s come a long way in that aspect.

“For a young man to listen to what we’re asking of him and the expectations we’re putting on him and having him respond positively has been great,” Lee added. “That shows a big growth in a young man, and that’s the most important thing.”

Lakewood visits Granville (6-1) this Friday before ending the year at home against Watkins Memorial (1-6) and at Utica (0-7).

“Something is coming,” Moody said. “We had a spark I’ve never seen in some of these guys’ eyes. I don’t think anybody else has that kind of speed that we’re going to play the rest of the year.

“I just see something; something is happening. I don’t know what it is.”

Adding a hurdle for Lakewood is an injury to starting defensive lineman Levi Hissong, who likely is out for the year with a broken hand.

“The look in their faces tells me how far they have come with their attitudes,” Lee said. “That tells you how far we have come with this program.”

Aug. 25: Amanda 10, Lakewood 7

Sept. 1: Bishop Ready 49, Lakewood 13

Sept. 8: Bloom-Carroll 36, Lakewood 14

Sept. 15: Northridge 17, Lakewood 7

Sept. 22: Heath 17, Lakewood 7

Sept. 29: Licking Valley 43, Lakewood 7

Oct. 6: Heights 42, Lakewood 12

Oct. 13: @Granville, 7 p.m.

Oct. 20: Watkins Memorial, 7 p.m.

Oct. 27: @Utica, 7 p.m.