Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 23, 1993 TAG: 9310230181
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HILLSVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Radford used the big-play running of Cornell Wesley and a couple of defensive stands to remain unbeaten against the Cavaliers, winning 16-12 on Friday night.
In what likely was the last game of a New River District series that has been as one-sided as an old movie set since it began in 1969, the Bobcats ran their record to 25-0 against Carroll County. (Radford is moving to Group A next year.)
"We didn't want to be the first team to lose a game to Carroll County," said Radford quarterback Casey Underwood, "especially since this was probably the last time we'll play them."
The Bobcats (3-5 overall, 2-1 in the district) avoided the second-half breakdowns that had led to defeats in their past three games. After taking a 16-6 lead on Wesley's 10-yard run with 2 minutes, 52 seconds left in the third quarter, the defense had to preserve the victory.
Brad Leonard jump-started the Cavaliers with a 47-yard return of the ensuing kickoff. Carroll County then went 48 yards in 11 plays, including Brian Hawks' nice sideline catch of a Jason Kilbourne pass for an 18-yard pickup, and scored on Timmy Henley's 7-yard run. A two-point conversion failed, but the Cavaliers had cut their deficit to four with 10:12 to play.
"It looked like we were going to be in trouble again," said Norm Lineburg, Radford's coach.
An onside kick failed, but Carroll County got the ball back two plays later when the Bobcats fumbled.
"We knew the defense had to make a stop," said Underwood, a senior who returned to the secondary for one of the few times since his sophomore year. "We had to get the ball back to the offense."
The defense did just that. The Cavaliers gained one first down before losing the ball on downs at the Radford 47. The Bobcats ran out the game's final 3 1/2 minutes by moving the ball to the 8-yard line behind the running of sophomore Larnelle Lewis, who carried six times for 37 yards during the drive.
"Our offensive line took over in the end," Lineburg said.
Early in the game, Carroll County (4-4, 1-1) moved the ball effectively on the ground. The Cavaliers took a 6-0 lead on an epic 17-play drive that covered 80 yards. Nicky Rodrigue, who was averaging nearly 126 yards per game, carried 12 times for 50 yards and scored on a 1-yard dive.
Unfortunately for Carroll, Rodrigue would have to leave the game early in the second half with a leg injury. He gained 65 yards in a little more than two quarters.
"Whenever you lose a guy who's averaging 126 yards a game it hurts," said Dave Haynie, the Cavaliers' head coach.
Radford made it 6-3 on Underwood's 40-yard field goal. On the second play of the Bobcats' next series, Wesley rumbled 60 yards to the 1-yard line. He carried it in one play later. Underwood's kick made it 10-6.
"The line blocking and Larnelle's blocking downfield are letting me get out," said Wesley, who had two long touchdown runs against Giles on Oct. 15.
Wesley finished with 100 yards rushing.
Near the end of the first half, Carroll moved to the Radford 16, but Underwood's goal-line interception on the half's final play squashed the threat.
"We had our chances," Haynie said. "The kids' effort was good. They really wanted to beat them, but we didn't capitalize." \
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB