Lewis didn’t waste time either, taking the opening kickoff of the eight-man game for a 60-yard touchdown. In fact, Lewis almost scored every time he touched the ball. His four touchdowns in the first quarter were plenty in the Holy Rams’ 62-7 win Friday afternoon, a game that was called after the third quarter due to a second weather delay caused by lightning.

Lewis knew he had an impressive game, and it was essential for the Rams (6-0).

Qwentarreus Yarborough, the team’s starting running back who leads the Triangle with 1,174 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, was suspended for the game for disciplinary reasons.

“We knew that we had to step up and that’s what we did,” said Lewis, who had 157 yards on just six carries and seven total touchdowns. “We’ve been working hard and we wanted to have fun.”

Though the Rams knew they were playing without their best player, coach Kevin Washington said he was proud of how Lewis responded.

“Claytin did an excellent job,” Washington said. “He was called upon and he did what he was called to do.”

Even with Lewis getting more opportunities in this game, his teammate running back DeMetri Washington felt the offense wouldn’t have problems scoring.

“He’s better than people give him credit for,” said Washington, who also returned a kickoff for a 70-yard score.

Cary Christian coach Dell Cook said the Rams showed how strong their depth is by not having Yarborough available.

“We knew that it’s not just about shutting Qwentarreus down because we knew there was going to be another guy who could do the same amount of damage and he did.” Cook said. “We’re a young team that’s playing a lot of sophomores, but we met an older, bigger and faster team,”

After beating the Knights to win the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association championship last season, Washington said the Rams motto for this year is “Forever Strong.”

That was the type of defense the Rams played throughout the game. Word of God forced two interceptions and didn’t allow the Knights (4-2) to move the ball past midfield until late in the second quarter.

At halftime, the referees decided to extend the break with the first weather delay caused by lightning. That delay lasted 45 minutes.

When the third quarter did start, the Knights scored on their first possession with a 69-yard pass from quarterback James Peterson to receiver Michael Daum.

“I actually gave them the choice to say we can call this game right now (at halftime),” Cook said of his Knights, “but they said they wanted to play football.”