Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 4, 1993 TAG: 9309040302
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Heritage trotted out its version of the Wing T formation, made famous by University of Delaware coach Tubby Raymond and copied throughout the land. The offense was good enough for three Pioneers touchdowns as Heritage tipped the Colonels 28-24 in the non-district football opener Friday at Victory Stadium.
"Hey, we've seen it three or four times the last two or three years and we haven't stopped one yet," said Fleming coach Sherley Stuart.
More frustrating for Stuart was the fact the Colonels' had the game's offensive stars. Eddie Jones rolled up 101 yards rushing, while Al Holland Jr. hit 12 of 20 passes for 178 yards. Ernest Harington caught seven passes for 122 yards.
Heritage didn't have the statistics, but the visitors controlled the ball most of the first three quarters. The Pioneers rolled up a 28-12 lead before the Colonels rallied for two touchdowns in the final three minutes.
"I thought we got tired and we need to work on our conditioning," said Heritage coach Fred Stanberry. "I got in a set mode when I was calling offensive plays. I didn't make adjustments."
Despite the Colonels' comeback, Heritage's lead was safe because two big plays that had little to do with the Wing T went the Pioneers' way.
The first one came on the game's second offensive play. Holland's opening pass was hurried and Marion Tanner intercepted in the flat for a 33-yard touchdown.
Fleming seemed to have Heritage's offense stopped on the Pioneers' second drive, forcing a punt from their 34. Mandell Haskins got a snap that bounced to him and the Colonels' defense closed in for the kill.
Haskins darted through Fleming for 33 yards and a first down. Instead of getting the ball inside the Heritage 30, The Colonels were defending on their 37.
"That was an accident. That happens when you put an athlete back there like Mandell. But then we also put him back there because he's a good kicker," said Stanberry.
The Pioneers didn't score after that break. One possession later, they did, going 57 yards with less than a minute left in the half for a 21-12 lead. Tanner, on third down, got a pitch and threw a halfback pass to tight end John Howard for a touchdown from the 4.
Heritage got the ball to start the second half and went 61 yards. Five backs carried, exhibiting the Wing T at its best. Olin Thorpe scored from the 1 to make it 28-12.
Fleming wasn't ready to give up, though the Colonels failed to pick up a first down on their first two possessions after halftime. Suddenly, Jones, Holland and Harrington clicked, and Fleming went 66 yards in about three minutes for a touchdown.
Jones picked up 47 yards and scored from the 3. It started when he fumbled and recovered for a 1-yard gain. On the drive, Holland hit Harrington on a 13-yard pass.
Fleming's defense forced a punt, and with 2:56 left the Colonels went to work again. Holland found Jones for a 36-yard pass play that Haskins chased down to save a touchdown momentarily. With 24 seconds left, Holland scored from the 1, but it was too late for Fleming. \
see microfilm for box score
by CNB