Football: Varsity debut delayed for Leo Lambert III

After rushing for 2,067 yards and scoring 34 touchdowns for the 9-1 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame freshman football team last fall, Leo Lambert III was projected to be a major contributor for the Knights’ varsity this coming season.

But his dentist discovered a benign tumor on the left side of his jaw, requiring 8 1/2 hours of surgery in March that ended his freshman track season. And another surgery for a bone graft is scheduled later this month, which will leave him sidelined until November at the earliest.

So Lambert’s varsity debut will likely have to wait until 2014, but he’s lifting weights, participating in conditioning, learning plays and preparing for the day when he’ll be a top running back for the Knights.

Dealing with being unable to play is also helping him grow up faster.

“I can be immature at times,” he said. “It’s helping me to be more mature.”

Lambert no doubt has lots of talent, and waiting for him to finally get to play on varsity will be worth the wait.

“I don’t want [people] to forget about me, but if they do, expect me to be back, because I’m going to come back,” he said.

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