Ray Lewis' Son First To Eclipse 1000 Yards

Junior Ray Lewis III of Lake Mary Prep was the first Central Florida running back to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the 2011 season, moving into quadruple digits with a 236-yard performance in the Griffins loss to Lakeland Victory Christian last week.

Lewis III's number was quite memorable for him because NFL father Ray Lewis II was able to come home during the Baltimore Ravens bye week to witness his son's game. Lewis III had four touchdowns in the 34-29 loss to Victory Christian, the Griffins (5-1) only loss this season. Lewis III now has 1,181 yards in six games and the Griffins are on a bye week this week.

Many people shrug off the numbers put up by Lewis III since his competition is at the 1A and 2A levels, but people who have seen him play are impressed.

Chuck Tillett, the father of Central Florida's leading small-school passer this year Brendon Tillett (872 yards, 12 TDs) of Orlando Foundation Academy, wrote of Lewis, "Ray is a beast," in an e-mail earlier this season.

Also last week, Lewis III was joined in the 1,000-yard club by Orlando University senior DeeJay Holley, whose 286-yard effort put him at 1,017 yards in six University (3-3) games.

(orlandosentinel.com)