Holmes leads Streaks by Giants

HARRISONBURG — It was the Michael Holmes show once again in Harrisonburg on Friday night, as the Blue Streaks’ star running back torched the Waynesboro Little Giants for 275 yards and five touchdowns in a 43-7 Harrisonburg win.

Even with it being Harrisonburg’s Homecoming and a night in which the Streaks retired the jersey of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and former JMU standout Akeem Jordan, Holmes managed to the steal the show with another strong performance on the ground.

“Michael’s got a great line in front of him, and he does a great job at finding the openings,” said Harrisonburg head coach Tim Sarver.

The Little Giants (0-5) remained winless on the season, but head coach Steve Isaacs believes his team is heading in the right direction.

“We have improved every week,” Isaacs said. “Our kids see that and they appreciate that, and that’s why they come into work on Monday.”

Senior running back Justin Clark ran for 64 yards on 19 carries, and scored Waynesboro’s lone touchdown in the game’s final seconds on a seven-yard scamper. Junior Bryant Carter broke off a 37-yard run to help set up Clark’s touchdown, as the Little Giants’ reverse-oriented, “wildcat” offense began to look extremely effective in the fourth quarter.

Four of Holmes’ five touchdowns came in the first half, including one in the first quarter that went 99 yards. Holmes then tacked on touchdown runs of 56 and 10 yards before halftime, and on his final carry of the night, scored on a 60-yarder the very first play of the second half.

Junior fullback Ryan Fletcher also helped the Streaks build a 36-0 halftime lead over the Little Giants, scoring on a seven-yard touchdown run in what was an explosive 24-point second quarter for Harrisonburg.

The Streaks (4-1) were coming off an emotional roller coaster ride following last week’s 35-27 victory over Heritage, a game that was sealed by a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. Sarver was pleased with how his team responded on Friday, especially on defense.

“Our defensive coaches put a challenge out there for the guys,” Sarver said. “They knew we hadn’t been playing as well on defense as we think we can.”

Their win continued the Massanutten District’s domination over the Southern Valley District, as Massanutten teams are now at 10-0 in those non-district games.

Waynesboro will return home next week to face Wilson Memorial, while Harrisonburg will look to keep it going versus Fort Defiance.