Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 17, 1993 TAG: 9310160246
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MIKE ASHLEY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Ragsdale and his undefeated Spartans found themselves trailing Radford 21-0 before turning things all the way around for a 30-28 non-district victory over the Bobcats Friday night.
"We needed to forget about winning and losing the football game and just play football," Ragsdale said. "Every team that wins goes through that. We were just afraid of losing."
And with good reason. The 7-0 Spartans also might have the doctor check them for Wesley-phobia, too. Radford senior back Cornell Wesley had a large Giles County contingent very scared early on. His touchdown runs of 89 and 65 yards staked the Bobcats to a quick lead. By halftime, Wesley had 164 yards and Giles had 128.
When Larnell Lewis banged in from the 4-yard line with 5:19 left in the first half, Radford (2-5) led 21-0 and the Giles single wing had accounted for three turnovers and a punt.
"Getting behind like that just gave us more incentive," Spartans wingback Peter Janney said. "Everybody was too hyped up. We finally got settled down. Coach just told us to start playing."
Janney's 34-yard run jump-started the Giles offense and helped the Spartans zip 80 yards in eight plays to cut the deficit to 21-8. Janney carried the final yard for the touchdown, and Raypheal Milton added the two-point conversion after a Radford penalty, one of 10 Bobcats infractions that cost them 85 yards.
Janney and Milton, who combined for 49 carries and 255 yards, led a masterful second-half drive. The Spartans used the first seven minutes of the second half to move 79 yards to the Bobcats' 3-yard line. Radford's defense stiffened but the Bobcats would never get out of the field position hole in the third quarter.
Milton capped a 32-yard drive on Giles' next possession with a 2-yard touchdown run and after a penalty, Janney added a two-point run to make the score 21-16 with 10:53 left to play.
Wesley, who did very little wrong on this night, then bobbled the kickoff, and Radford was stuck back at its own 13. Casey Underwood's only poor punt of the night set up another quick touchdown drive. Milton zipped around left end and leaned the final few yards to score the go-ahead touchdown.
"We had a good first half, but we seemed a little tired in the second half," said Radford coach Norm Lineburg, who has seen his team lose four heart-breakers this year. "So far, we just can't seem to find a way to win."
In Giles, they have a way to win. Keep giving the ball to Janney and Milton. Janney finished with 131 yards on 19 carries, and Milton accounted for 124 yards rushing on 30 carries, scoring 16 points himself. He also completed three of 10 passes for another 61 yards and a touchdown - 18 yards to Reggie Hoston with 4:45 left - after a Janney interception, of course.
But Underwood and the Bobcats weren't done just yet. The senior quarterback orchestrated a 61-yard drive, with Wesley scoring from the 1 with 1:35 left to cut the deficit to 30-28. In the drive, Underwood completed three passes for 51 yards and rushed for another 14.
Underwood's ensuing onside kick was smothered by Patrick Steele and the Spartans were able to run out the clock and preserve the win over a team that will next year be a Mountain Empire District rival. The Radford school board announced this week that the Bobcats will drop to Group A next year and compete in the Mountain Empire District. \
see microfilm for box score
by CNB