Wednesday, October 10, 2001

Leaks name revived on Austin gridiron
By Joel Anderson
Associated Press

Prentiss Leaks looked a lot like his father this weekend.

Austin Lanier’s senior running back, the son of former University of Texas star Roosevelt Leaks, rushed for 314 yards and five touchdowns on 20 carries in a win over Austin Johnston.

But it’s the skills, not the name, that earned the younger Leaks mention in this week’s Associated Press high school honor roll.

“I’m sure a lot of people look at the bloodlines,” said Lanier coach Wade Johnston, “but he’s the best back we’ve got. He’s got all the tools and is finally doing some things that I’ve been wanting him to do.”

Prentiss was poised for a big game after suffering through an embarrassing three-game stretch. The Vikings (1-4) were outscored 128-0 in that time.

“Everything went south,” Johnston said. “But we got back together and did some fundamental things.

“We had to put the ball in Prentiss’ hands. He made all the big plays this week.”
Just like his consensus All-American dad.

Prentiss, who is 5-foot-10, 222-pounds, packs a little more punch than his father, but still has the trademark speed. In fact, Prentiss blames much of his early-season struggles on outrunning his developing offensive linemen.

“Usually, I’m out there running by myself,” said Prentiss, who’s rushed for 610 yards on 80 carries this season. “I had to slow things down.”

The gridiron tips were self-taught, though. Prentiss said his father is more observer than teacher.

“He just sits there at every game,” Prentiss said. “He doesn’t say much, except that I should round off my cuts in bad weather.”

Other outstanding performances in Texas last weekend included:

• Jimmie Moore threw for 168 yards and a touchdown and ran for 134 yards and three more scores in Groesbeck’s 45-0 win over Whitney.
• Cheyenne Smith ran for 117 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries and added a 72-yard interception return for another score as Class 1A No. 2 Roscoe defeated Hawley 53-7.
• Willis Hogan rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns and kicked five extra points in Sundown’s 37-14 win over Sudan. He also scored on a 79-yard kickoff return.
• Joshua Nors was 9-of-13 for 143 yards and two touchdowns and had two interceptions as Abbott beat Walnut Springs 62-12.