Three first-half touchdown runs by Chris Lewis keyed St. Aloysius to a happy, 35-14 homecoming win over West Lincoln Friday night at Balzli Field.

Lewis, who started the first seven games this season at quarterback, finished with 160 yards in his second start at tailback following a season-ending injury to junior tailback Ryno Martin-Nez.

“I’ve always liked running the ball, even when I played quarterback, so it’s fun to be the tailback, now,” Lewis said. The senior scored on TD runs of 32, 6 and 28 yards as St. Al (7-2, 6-2 Region 4-1A) built a 21-0 halftime lead.

Five of Lewis’ carries went for over 19 yards. All came on toss sweeps against an outmanned Bear defense.

“The wide receivers got good blocks on the outside and then I was able to make some cuts,” Lewis said.

Lewis was not the only St. Al back to shine. Brendan Beesley picked up 134 yards on just eight carries. His 47-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter set up the Flashes’ last score. Senior Richard Thomas, who had never before touched the ball as an offensive player, ran in his first career touchdown on a 6-yard run.

“It feels pretty good to get a touchdown, finally. I had never carried the ball before in a game, usually I’m playing defense,” said Thomas, who has started the past two seasons at cornerback.

“It was his first time to carry the ball and I’m really excited he scored,” Flashes coach B.J. Smithhart said. “He deserved it. Nobody has worked harder for us.”

Freshman Kruze Federick had the other St. Al score on a 17-yard run with 6 minutes, 27 seconds left in the third quarter. Adam Thornton booted the fourth of five extra point kicks to make it 28-0.

St. Al finished with 379 yards rushing. Junior Regan Nosser made his second straight start at quarterback and added 52 yards passing, hitting on 4 of 6 attempts.

“I felt a lot more comfortable this game,” Nosser said.

West Lincoln opened the game with an eight minute-plus drive that reached the St. Al 19 before the Flashes stiffened. Tyler Trout’s 36-yard field goal came up short to leave the game scoreless.

Lewis quickly took over, scoring on his 32-yard run to make it 7-0. The 6-yard TD run capped a 58-yard drive in the second quarter and the third score came after Luke Burnett’s interception at the Bears’ 47.

West Lincoln got on the board on the first play of the fourth quarter when Tyler Case scored on a 59-yard run. Calvin Kees made it 35-14 when he scored on a 14-yard run with 1:59 remaining.