Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 25, 1995 TAG: 9511260009
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
Given that it is much more difficult to lose a close game than a rout, the Pulaski County players will have much on their minds after an emotionally wrenching 28-24 loss to visiting E.C. Glass in the final of the Group AAA Division 5 Northwest Region playoffs Friday night.
Glass didn't lead until Chris Matthews pounded over for his fourth touchdown of the game with 1 minute, 44 seconds left. Pulaski County did not mount a threat in the remaining seconds, but it came that close to pulling the upset of the playoffs.
``The first time we played them it's 35-3 and it wasn't that close,'' said Pulaski County coach Joel Hicks, adding that he'd never had a team play any harder.
E.C. Glass (9-2), which many regard as the best team in the state in any classification, advances to a home game next Saturday with the winner of the Lee-Davis-Highland Springs game that will be played today. Pulaski County finishes 8-4.
``You guys played a great game,'' Hicks told his team afterwards. ``I want you to smile.''
The game boiled down to the final Glass drive after Pulaski County failed to keep alive a drive that had started on its 12. The Cougars had thrown back the Hilltoppers just prior to that, stopping a potentially killing Glass drive.
But after gaining a pair of first downs - its only two of the second half - Pulaski County had to punt. Glass made big play after big play on its way to the winning scores. Among the biggest were a 15-yard completion from quarterback Andre Kendrick to Silas Harrington and a 17-yarder to Marcus Banks.
``I've said all along: Andre Kendrick is the best quarterback in the state of Virginia,'' Glass coach Bo Henson said.
Kendrick showed his considerable skills by accounting for 240 yards total offense, including 143 yards passing on eight completions in 15 attempts (he also threw a pair of interceptions).
``Kendrick was the difference in the game with his scrambling,'' Hicks said.
Matthews wasn't bad with 98 yards rushing and the four TDs.
Pulaski County wingback Matt Hull thought that the game was settled by the Glass defense.
``In the second half, whenever they needed to stop us, they stopped us,'' he said.
Pulaski County put together a 4-yard Ron Branch quarterback keeper, a 5-yard Derrick Hunter sweep, and a 2-yard Jawan Clark scoring run to take a 21-14 halftime lead.
But Glass came back to tie it on a Matthews TD with 8:39 left in the third. The Cougars answered with a 43-yard Shayne Graham field goal a little over two minutes later.
Glass played considerably better in the second half than it did in the first.
``I wouldn't have wanted my mother to have been in that locker room at halftime,'' Henson said.
NOTE: Please see micorfilm for scores.
Memo: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.