Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090016
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
PH quarterback Dennis Dunnaville found wideout Nick Saunders with a pass across the middle at the Cave Spring 38 for a 17-yard gain with just seconds remaining. Knights linebacker Nathan Manning (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) leveled the much smaller Saunders with a vicious hit, but Saunders hung on to the ball.
Cave Spring athletic director Otis Dowdy watched in admiration from the press box.
``That Saunders must be tough,'' Dowdy said, ``because Nathan Manning just hit him with everything he had.''
Although Patrick Henry lost the Cave Spring game, the Patriots are having a solid year. Their overall record is 5-4, but they are tied for the Roanoke Valley District lead at 2-1 with the Knights and Pulaski County.
Pulaski and Cave Spring face off Friday, while PH plays William Fleming at Victory Stadium. With Pulaski and PH victories, the Patriots win the title because they defeated the Cougars 26-21 last week.
One of the keys to the Patriots' success this year has been the defensive play of Saunders, a senior who was named all-District last year at cornerback.
``We've come together the last two weeks,'' said Saunders, referring to a 38-22 drubbing of Franklin County and the win over Pulaski, the Patriots' first since 1985. ``I would have to say the Pulaski game was the biggest of my career.''
Those are monumental words, as Saunders has been a three-year starter, and the Patriots posted records of 7-4 in 1993 and 8-4 in 1994.
Pulaski, which trailed the Patriots 26-0, scored the last three touchdowns of Friday's game, and had an opportunity for a fourth until Saunders broke up a couple of passes.
``I got a hand on the ball on the first one,'' Saunders said. ``I almost intercepted it. And on the second one, the dude [Pulaski's intended receiver] jumped really high. I just took out his legs.''
The PH program lists Saunders at 5-7, 160 pounds, but Patriots coach Ed Scott admits Saunders weighs about five pounds less. Still, Saunders is one of the Patriots' best tacklers and has grabbed 12 interceptions over the past two years.
Saunders acknowledges that as his reputation has grown, opposing quarterbacks have looked elsewhere for passing yardage. But while his interception total this year is less than in 1994, Saunders is the Patriots' second-leading tackler.
Prior to the Pulaski game, Saunders was credited with 44 solo tackles, ranking him among the top 20 in Timesland.
``Nick doesn't have great speed,'' Scott said, ``but he knows how to break on the ball. He stays low and has good footwork. He plays strong.''
Saunders feels his best asset is his technique.
``I play the receiver and the ball, and also watch the quarterback's eyes,'' Saunders said.
Saunders' tackling strategy is to go for the legs.
``I like to cut people's legs out from under them,'' he said. ``Legs are most people's weakness. You can't do much without them. And if you hit a person up high, you can get run over.''
Two of Saunders' role models in the secondary are Darrell Green of the Washington Redskins and Ronde Barber of the University of Virginia.
Both are sure tacklers and snare their share of interceptions. And by football standards, neither is particularly large.
``I especially like the way Ronde plays,'' Saunders said. ``He has good catch-up speed. He knows how to keep an eye on a receiver and yet come up and make a hit on a runner before he turns the corner.''
Saunders has been playing football since he was ``five or six.'' He was influenced by his brother Julian, now 20.
``Ever since my brother started playing, I've wanted to follow in his footsteps and do as well - or better,'' Saunders said.
Julian's career ended in the ninth grade, but in Saunders' mind, his brother was a star.
``I'd have loved to see him continue,'' Saunders said. ``He was a great running back.''
Saunders recognizes that Friday's game with Fleming could be the last of his high school career, and he wants to go out a winner.
``I'd love to beat Fleming,'' he said. ``They're always a big rival, plus a win will give us a run at the district.''
Win or lose against Fleming, Saunders hopes to continue his football career in college.
``I took the SATs for the second time this fall on Saturday [Nov. 4],'' Saunders said. ``I'd love to play for Hampden-Sydney.''
Since the college near Farmville has a reputation for hard-hitters with heart, it could be a good match.
by CNB