Los Angeles Times 1995 All-Valley Football Team : PLAYER OF THE YEAR : Lewis Finished Season Fast

Coach Brent Newcomb of Antelope Valley High usually takes a low-key approach when talking about his players, but he breaks that rule when the subject is running back Jermaine Lewis.

After being a first-team All-Valley selection as a sophomore and junior, Lewis finishes a remarkable high school career as an overwhelming choice for player of the year.

“Jermaine,” Newcomb said. “I can’t say enough about Jermaine.”

Lewis, in his three years as a varsity starter, has rushed for 5,490 yards, breaking the school record set by Tommie Smith, and led the Antelopes to two consecutive Division II championship games.

He also scored 75 touchdowns.

“It’s been great coaching him,” Newcomb said. “I think he’s probably been one of the best guys I’ve had around, because he shows up every day and he loves to play.”

Lewis, despite being only 5 foot 7, 165 pounds, did more than show up--especially this season. He rushed for 2,511 yards to break Billy Hilliker’s 20-year school record of 2,069.

“He’s made me a lot better coach than I should get credit for,” Newcomb said.

Lewis came through in big games. He had 204 yards against defending Central Section champion Bakersfield and 192 in a victory over Quartz Hill that clinched the Golden League title.

Yet in the season opener, he gained only 54 yards against Hesperia. Ken Nelson (77 yards) and Dominick Cribbs (70) had bigger games. Lewis had only 60 against Loyola. Tony Walker had 71 and Justin Reinier had 63.

“We just tried to have a balanced attack early, and we went to other guys,” Newcomb explained.

Lewis averaged 107.4 yards a game during the first five weeks before going on a tear, averaging 213.8 in the final nine games----including 270 in a 35-28 loss to Hart in the championship game.

He also had a school-record 330 against Highland, 270 against Palmdale and 228 in a semifinal game against Downey.

“He’s amazing,” Hart defensive coordinator Rick Herrington said. “He’s much better than he was last year. He’s quicker, stronger, breaking more tackles. If you try to grab him with your hands, forget it.”

Said Newcomb: “He finishes off the run better than any back I’ve ever seen. He always goes north and south. He moves the chains, and he makes something good out of a bad play.

“He gets in a hole and does his little dipsy-do stutter then, bam, he’s gone, you know?”