Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 4, 1993 TAG: 9309040269
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
In the latest installment of this one-sided series, the Cougars looked like the seasoned state champions they are as they drubbed their guests from Washington D.C. 49-12.
Don't be deceived by that final score. It wasn't that close.
Pulaski County led 42-0 at the half, 49-0 with eight minutes left in the third quarter. Anacostia's (1-1) two touchdowns came in the game's final 4:25, while the Cougar starters stood on the sideline and watched.
"I don't think that Anacostia is that bad," Pulaski County coach Joel Hicks said. "We were sharp, especially in the first half."
Two quarters of football were all the Cougars (1-0) needed in proving that they won't be content to rest on the laurels of their Group AAA Division 6 state title.
A half was all junior quarterback Andre Eaves needed to score three touchdowns, one coming on a wacky 80-yard fumble recovery return. Junior cornerback Tim Davis had two first-half interceptions that led to Pulaski touchdowns, and little-known running back Timmy Kimbrough scored a touchdown in the first half.
All of the Cougar running backs ran well, although none of the 11 who ran the football had more than six carries. Carl Lewis led the way with 65 yards on four attempts, and he scored the Cougars' final touchdown in the third quarter. Kimbrough had 48 yards on four carries, and C.A. Burkes gained 37 yards.
So punishing was the Cougars' ground game - they had 248 yards - Eaves, who rushed for 34 yards, tossed just three passes, connecting twice for 23 yards. He was, however, responsible for the evening's most memorable play.
In the second quarter, with Anacostia down 28-0 and in the middle of its best drive, Indian quarterback Ricardo Gibson threw a pass that ricocheted off wide receiver Edward Sheffey and landed in the arms of tailback Delonta Tobias, who then had the ball stripped from behind.
The ball rolled freely until Eaves, a defensive back, plucked it off the ground and eluded would-be tacklers all the way to the end zone, making it 35-0 with 7:05 left in the half.
"I never thought about falling on the fumble; I just wanted to pick it up," said Eaves. "I had a good angle when I got to it and I got some good blocks."
Pulaski County scored on each of its five first-half possessions, with two touchdowns following Davis' interceptions.
His first pickoff came on an overthrown ball and it set up Eaves' second touchdown scamper, then he nabbed another Gibson pass and returned it to the 24-yard line. Kimbrough scored from 6 yards out.
The Indians' Gibson completed 13 passes for 133 yards. He hooked up for a 32-yard scoring strike to Sheffey, who had five catches for 87 yards, on the game's final play. Four and a half minutes earlier, Antjuan Awatefe recovered a fumble and ran it back 28 yards for a touchdown.
It was an uplifting ending to what had been a somber day for Anacostia. Before leaving Washington Friday morning, the Indians were told that starting tight end Albert Preston had been killed Thursday evening in a drive-by shooting in front of his home.
"It's a tragedy," said Anacostia coach Willie Stewart, who nevertheless said his team would regroup and play toward winning its third straight D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association title. \
see microfilm for box score
by CNB