Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 7, 1995 TAG: 9510070025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WADE KENDRICK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
When William Byrd finds itself in a jam, coach Jeff Highfill knows where to turn.
After falling behind 6-0 to winless Alleghany, the Terriers and Highfill looked to Frank English. The junior quarterback didn't disappoint his teammates or his coach as he guided Byrd to a 21-6 Blue Ridge District victory Friday night in Vinton.
English rushed for 178 yards, including 132 in the second half, and scored one touchdown as the Terriers remain undefeated (5-0 overall, 2-0 district) and maintained a share of the district lead with Salem.
``Frank had a heck of a game,'' Highfill said. ``We'd rather not go to him as often as we did tonight, but we were hurting in the backfield because of injuries. Jamie Fuqua, our starting tailback, didn't start because of a knee injury and we don't have a lot of experience in the backfield.''
English got plenty of help from his favorite receiver, Michael Berry. The senior had four receptions for 62 yards and booted two 30-yard field goals in a game in which special teams played a crucial role.
Byrd scored a safety on the final play of the first quarter when Mountaineers punter Adam Harlow couldn't handle a high snap. When Harlow gained control of the ball, he was tackled in the end zone to cut Alleghany's lead to 6-2. Byrd cut the lead to 6-5 on the closing play of the first half when Berry kicked his first field goal.
``We weren't focused in the first half,'' Highfill said. ``We had a big win last week against Northside and we had bad practices this week. I could see it coming. But we did a great job in the second half.''
Alleghany's Oliver Jordan raced 56 yards to Byrd's 24 on the first play of the third quarter, but the Mountaineers were stymied on the next play when Terriers linebacker Neal Smith blitzed and hit quarterback Shannon Johnson as he was about to pitch the ball to Jordan. The running back recovered at his 36-yard line, and the Mountaineers lost the ball on downs three plays later.
The Terriers immediately drove 67 yards and took an 11-6 lead on Daniel Wagner's 3-yard run. Following a Mountaineers punt, Berry's second field goal stretched Byrd's lead to 14-6.
Max Lowe, Alleghany's coach, thought the fumbled pitchout was the key play of the second half.
``If we could have stuck it in on that drive, I think we would have played better,'' Lowe said. ``There were a couple of big plays that went their way. They didn't wear us down. We just gave them a couple of big plays.''
Alleghany (0-2, 0-6) dug itself into a deeper hole midway through the final period with a 12-yard punt that gave the Terriers great field position at the Mountaineers' 37. Two plays later, English zigzagged his way 30 yards up the middle for a touchdown, and Berry's extra-point kick gave Byrd a 21-6 lead.
``The kids responded well tonight. They didn't panic,'' Highfill said. ``The big hit Smith made after Jordan's long run changed the complexion of the game. We stopped them and then scored the next three times.''
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB