Lakewood head coach James Lewis was honored at the Leopard homecoming pep rally Friday for his 100th win, which occurred on Sept. 21 when the team beat Trask 27-3. He stands here with his family, who was on hand to congratulate him. From far right, his wife, Denise, his mom, Francis, Coach Lewis, his sister Paula Wolf, her husband Danny, his daughters Paige and Emily, and his niece, Olivia Hall. (Ruthie Pope/The Sampson Independent)

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Pep rally shenanigans! These "Wildcats" sneaked into the Leopard pep rally but found themselves at the center of attention, as the Leopard mascot wouldn't stop teasing them. (Ruthie Pope/The Sampson Independent)

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Lakewood and the school’s booster club honored head football coach James Lewis with a picture and a plaque Friday during the school’s homecoming pep rally.

Lewis got his 100th win as the Leopard head football coach on Sept. 21 when they played Trask. The score was 27-3. He bumped those wins up last night, when Lakewood defeated Hobbton and Lewis gained win number 102.

“This program is respected across the state, not only for winning, but for the dignity and class he instills in his players,” principal Monte Strickland said as he presented Lewis with a plaque from the school citing this achievement.

Athletic club booster president Kaye Heniz presented the coach with a framed grouping of photographs from the Trask game.

Strickland said the school and the boosters both wanted to show their appreciation to Lewis for the way he handles the football program at Lakewood.

“They surprised me,” a beaming Coach Lewis said as he stood with his family and friends on the sidelines while the pep rally activities continued on the field. “A lot of good players and a lot of good assistant coaches made this possible. I’ve been blessed,” he asserted.

Lewis took on the job of Leopard head coach in 1997 after being an assistant coach at Union.