Sheyheim Harris ran over tacklers for five touchdowns and Kevin Gayles punched in four extra points to lead the undefeated Southside Ducks to victory last Saturday in the Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ Youth Tackle Football Championship.

Led by Harris’ swift legs, the Ducks (10-0) pummeled the scrappy Whitcomb Wolves 34-19 to claim the Junior title for 13- and 14-year-olds in middle school and bragging rights as the best team in the city for future high school players.

Jacqueal Thomas shined for the Wolves (8-2), scoring three touchdowns and piling up tackles on defense.

But the Wolves were no match for the Ducks’ powerful offensive line, which opened gaping holes for Harris and Gayles.

Named the game’s most valuable player, Harris got his chance to shine when he was called on to replace the Ducks’ star running back DeQuan Gregory, who was sidelined after suffering a high ankle sprain in the semifinal game the previous week.

“We had to reshuffle the lineup, and boy did that work out,” said Ducks head Coach James Jeter Jr.

The Ducks also stunned the Wolves by using a rare tactic, an onside kick. The Wolves stood frozen as the ball dribbled more than 10 yards, passing the 50-yard line, making it fair game for all. When Gayles recovered, the Ducks went on to score on another Harris run to put the game away for good.

The win was special for the Ducks. This is the first year the team has participated in the football competition.

Most of the Ducks had played together for at least three years as members of the Bellemeade Rams. That team was split up after the new South- side Center opened on Warwick Road earlier this year, giving the Ducks a strong foundation.

In the other four championship games, the Battery Park Vikings from North Side piled up victories.

The Vikings beat the Hillside Hawks 28-0 to

claim the Midget title for 11- and 12-year-olds. Later, the Vikings added the Flag Football title for 5- to 7-year-olds with a 21-0 win over the Southside Ducks.

The Vikings also won the Pee Wee title for 9- and 10-year-olds when the team prevailed over their North Side rivals, the Hotchkiss Eagles, 6-0 in overtime.

The Hotchkiss Eagles bounced back to nar- rowly win the championship game in Junior Varsity Pee Wee competition for 8- and 9-year- olds. The Eagles edged the Powhatan Chiefs from the East End 7-6 to claim that title.