Rams, a Fox and wins, oh my!

Each week, Southern High’s opponents try to stop running back Lamone Fox.

"Try" is the operative word.

They pull and tug at the junior’s number-25 jersey but, other than creating some holes and tears, opposing defenses aren’t doing much damage.

Last Thursday, Fox tallied 175 yards in the Rams’ 28-0 win over University City. He scored on touchdown runs of 11 and 15 yards. But instead of bragging about his stats, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound offensive leader prefers sharing the spotlight with his teammates, especially the offensive line.

"The offensive line last year, we were big, but had no muscle," said Fox, of the 2200 block of Jackson Street. "This year, the offensive line is getting to push off the ball and everybody is blocking, which is good."

Coach Bill Edger presented the offensive line with the game ball following the University City win.

It’s the latest victory in a year that so far has been a remarkable turnaround for the team.

After finishing the 2003 season 0-10, the Rams head into today’s non-league game against Lincoln with a .500 record (4-4 overall, 2-4 league).

The 2-4 league mark is also an improvement from 2002, when Southern’s lone division win came over University City.

"It feels great because last year we couldn’t experience a win," said Fox, 16, after celebrating at midfield with his teammates. "I didn’t know how it feels, but now that I experienced four wins this year, that’s an improvement."

Last Thursday marked the fourth time this season that the athlete has cleared the 100-yard mark. That milestone includes a season-high 187 yards against William Penn the first week of the season.

Fox entered the week needing just 52 rushing yards to reach 1,000. He leads the offense with 17 receptions and 94 points, and, at defensive back, has a team-best three interceptions.

In past seasons, Fox would be vocal about his successes, not unlike a certain Eagles receiver with the initials T.O. This season, the player is much humbler, said father Carlton Fox, who watches every Southern game from the sidelines.

Winning now takes priority. Lamone Fox said he dedicated many hours of his summer vacation to lifting weights and running sprints. It was his way of becoming more of a team player.

"Last year, I took the approach that I was coming out here to play the game," said the former member of the Capitolo Seminoles youth football team. "This year, I took the approach that I was going to play the game, and help my team at the same time. With me having the ability that I have, I let it rub off on my teammates."

Southern’s 4-4 record is evidence that the team concept is working. Ideally, the Rams would love to be playing in this weekend’s Public League quarterfinals, but after going winless last season, the players aren’t complaining.

The year has been just as rewarding for Fox’s dad and mom, Bridgette Bennett, who have been their son’s biggest supporters since he started playing football at age 7.

Carlton Fox said he has missed only one of Lamone’s games, and that was because he was coaching another team. He regularly attends Southern practices; if he doesn’t show up, his son wants to know why. During games, mom is a vocal cheerleader and sometimes even wears her son’s jersey. Bennett said it’s exciting to watch Lamone mature as a player.

"For him to come home and be cheerful and talk about his teammates, winning and everything like that, I am happy for him," she said.

Fox envisions his high-school success as the foundation for bigger things.

"My family support is great, and someday I’ll give them what they want," the player said, as his mother shed a few tears of joy.

With three games remaining, including the Thanksgiving Day meeting with Ss. John Neumann-Maria Goretti, the Rams have a chance to finish the season with a winning record.

Neumann-Goretti has had a tough year with just two wins, so the Rams have a shot at ending their 13-year losing streak or at least making the game a lot closer.

Already thinking ahead to next season, Fox thinks he and his Southern teammates should shoot for the 2005 Public League playoffs.

"Next season, we’re going to have to come back and win the division, and hopefully the championship," he said.