Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 25, 1993 TAG: 9309250232
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WADE KENDRICK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Taylor, the All-Group AAA quarterback in 1992, fired two spectacular touchdown passes to Adrian Moore and ran 5 yards for a score.
But Taylor's most important play was a defensive contribution from his end position early in the first quarter.
With Albemarle deep in Patriots territory, quarterback Mike Wicks' pitch to Jay Brown was mishandled. Taylor picked up the loose ball at the 15 and raced 85 to give PH (1-2) a 7-0 lead.
"I was lined up opposite the quarterback and our end, Vince McGee, crashed hard on him to force a bad pitchout," Taylor said. "The ball hit their tailback in the helmet. I picked up the ball and got a good block from Rod Akers and I was off to the races.
"I think that set the tempo and Albemarle got down on themselves and never got back in to the game," Taylor added.
Taylor, who had been in an early-season slump, received plenty of support from Moore, who was making his first start at H-back.
Moore had been alternating with Akers at tailback, but coach Ed Scott wasn't happy with the production the Patriots had been getting from the H-back.
"It's a tight slot position that's always been our strongest position in our passing game," Scott said. "We need an athlete in that position - one that can go inside or outside. Adrian gave us that tonight."
Both of Moore's TDs should wind up on the Patriots' highlight film.
The first gave PH a 13-0 lead in the second quarter. Though he was chased out of the pocket, Taylor heaved a strike to Moore in the end zone. Moore had two Albemarle defenders draped over him, but somehow managed to come down with the ball. The score covered 27 yards.
"It was up for grabs and I was just focusing on the ball" Moore said.
Moore's second TD pass (34 yards) early in fourth quarter made it 28-0.
"I felt comfortable at H-back. I line up just off the tackle and 2 yards in the backfield," Moore said. "I move to help the team."
Taylor finished 8-of-13 for 177 yards with no interceptions, and Scott said he thought the Patriots passing game was much improved.
"We went back to our running game and that opened up our passing," Scott said. \
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB