Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 7, 1995 TAG: 9510070024
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After failing to knock out the Cavaliers before the half, the unbeaten Spartans surged for three touchdowns in the third quarter on the way to a 37-0 Blue Ridge District victory Friday at Salem Stadium.
While Salem (5-0 overall, 2-0 in the district) couldn't put the game away before intermission, the defense made sure the Cavaliers didn't have any surprises as they did last week in a victory at Rockbridge County. Though Lord Botetourt (1-4, 1-1) pulled off a couple of big plays, the Cavaliers never could work up a major threat.
For the game, Lord Botetourt had minus-16 rushing yards and that was due in large part to the Salem defense sacking Seth Meyers five times for losses totaling 49 yards.
The Spartans' offense clicked just often enough with quarterback Seth Moore completing three passes, two of them good for touchdowns. Fullback Chris Huff was the leading rusher, gaining 86 yards, including two touchdowns.
``Salem is a real fine team. They're strong and they wear you down,'' said Lord Botetourt coach Andy Ward. ``Unless you have a lot of depth, they'll get you in the third and fourth quarters.''
Last week, Salem had scored 33 points in one big first quarter at Alleghany. This time the Spartans didn't surpass that total until reserve Kenny Naugle returned a punt 38 yards for the game's final touchdown midway through the final period.
``The first half, we misfired a couple of times. Once we had a receiver wide open down the middle for a touchdown,'' said Salem coach Willis White. ``Lord Botetourt played well the first half and they were well prepared.''
The Cavaliers might have rolled over after the Spartans scored on their second and third possessions to snare a 12-0 lead. Huff ended a 27-yard drive that was set up by a short punt as he scored from the 3.
The Spartans rolled 73 yards the next time they got the ball with Gussie Vaughn scoring from the 4 to make it 12-0.
The Cavaliers had two chances to get back in the game. First, they recovered a fumble after punting to Salem, but a motion penalty nullified the play, forcing another punt.
After holding Salem, Lord Botetourt went nowhere and had fourth down on its 41. Punter Eric Erickson passed to Tim Harris for a first down at the Salem 30, but four plays netted a total loss of nine yards.
``We made some big plays in the first half, but each time we followed with a real bad play,'' said Ward. ``We just never capitalized.''
That was enough as Salem scored on its first three possessions of the second half. Huff's 31-yard touchdown, following an interception by Salem's Matt Edwards, put Lord Botetourt away.
``It feels good to run for more than a yard,'' said the Salem fullback, who usually is the blocker and runner in short yardage situations.
``My line did a great job. The guards just opened up the traps all night. Then it was a matter of getting by their linebackers.''
While Salem shut down Lord Botetourt's ground game, stopping Wesley Cox with just 32 yards, there was a spark in the air as Jeremy Conner grabbed five passes for 62 yards.
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB