Leading off today: It's unknown if he could win any money on "Jeopardy," but you'd gave to like Wil Lawson's chances considering the way he handles daily doubles.
On Friday afternoon, Lawson scored two goals in Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons' boys soccer victory in Schenectady. He would go on to convert three extra-point kicks in the evening during Holy Trinity's 27-12 football win at Tamarac.
In Week 3, the senior posted two goals and an assist in a 3-2 soccer win over Loudonville Christian on Saturday morning before going 8-for-8 on extra points in a 56-20 football triumph over Canajoharie/Fort Plain.
Lawson scored 27 goals last year and has 11 this season. He is the ND-BG's career goals leader with 73. He's had just two misses on extra points through four games and has a 27-yard field goal to his credit.
When graduation left a hole in the Holy Trinity kicking game, some members of the football team approached him with the idea of playing two sports in the same season.
"Last spring, the boys were talking to him about doing it," football coach Barber said. "He came up and asked me about it. I told him what I wanted, and he's been great."
Lawson grew up playing soccer, and that's where his future lies after graduation. For the moment, though, he's indispensable in two sports.
"The football team went to the state championship (last season). Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?" ND-BG soccer coach Joe Masi said. "I wouldn't want to hold him back. We are working together to make it happen."
More on runaway scores: My blog yesterday noted a pair of stories from media in Section 5 regarding hard feelings in the aftermath of Alexander's 90-14 football win over Geneseo. Coincidentally, Newsday wrote this weekend about the Section 8 rule that's being credited with limiting runaway scores in the sport.
The Nassau County rule puts football coaches at risk of being suspended for one game for winning by more than 42 points. If that happens, the coach must explain why to a committee of school administrators, who determine if a suspension is warranted.
The rule went into effect last season with a cap of 40 points and was tweaked for this season.
The rule resulted in only five varsity games being decided by 40 or more points last year -- with no resulting suspensions. The previous three-year average was 22 blowouts.
NYSPHSAA Assistant Director Todd Nelson said he doesn't believe any sport in the state has ever had a rule that penalizes a coach for a blowout before this one. Matt McLees, football coordinator for Section 8, got the idea after hearing that Connecticut football rule regarding margins of more than 50 points.
