Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: SATURDAY, October 23, 1993 TAG: 9310230232 SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: WADE KENDRICK STAFF WRITER DATELINE: DALEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
But the stingy Vikings defense, led by linebackers Donnie Leininger and Chris Askew, held Botetourt at bay as Northside cruised to a 35-6 victory.
Northside (4-3 overall, 2-2 Blue Ridge District) scored on its first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead, but looked anything but impressive for the next two quarters.
Seven fumbles (four lost) and a snap that sailed over the head of punter Mike Dillon's gave Botetourt hope, but the Cavalier's couldn't take advantage of the turnovers.
"It was one of those ballgames that deteriorated into a sloppy game," said Jim Hickam, the Northside coach. "Sometimes when you score early it takes the edge off and you start to coast, and it's hard to get out of neutral while the other team is fighting to come back."
Leininger made the most spectacular play of the game when he picked off Chris Deweese's pass at Northside's 1-yard line and returned it 99 yards for the Vikings' final touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
"That's the greatest feeling I've ever had," said Leininger, a sophomore who also had an interception in the third quarter. "I got a little tired running down there, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
After quarterback Shane Whisnant's 16-yard touchdown run and Karim Thompson's two-point conversion gave Northside an 8-0 lead, Askew intercepted a Deweese pass and returned it to the Cavs' 7. Chris McLain then ran in for the first of his two touchdowns.
Darin Harris recovered a fumble at Northside's 34, and the Cavaliers promptly drove to the Vikings' 3. Botetourt appeared to score on the next down, but the play was nullified when the Cavs were caught with 12 players on the field. Two sacks and a clipping penalty moved Botetourt to its 49. Although a pass-interference penalty gave Botetourt a first down at Northside's 36, the Cavaliers eventually were forced to punt.
"I thought that was the biggest play of the game," Botetourt coach Andy Ward said of the nullified touchdown. "It was a miscommunication between the players and the coaches. Things just got ugly from there."
Botetourt (5-2, 0-2) played without Chad Sayers, who re-injured an ankle on the first play and may be done for the season, Ward said.
"When you lose your middle linebacker and tailback, it puts you in the hole," Ward said. "He was the star of the team."
Because of Sayers' injury and a heavy pass rush that sacked Deweese several times, the Cavaliers were held to minus-13 yards rushing.
Brian Powell, who lead Northside in rushing with 100 yards, scampered 67 yards early in the fourth quarter as the Vikings took a 28-0 lead.
Botetourt averted a shutout on Tim O'Quinn's 34-yard pass from Deweese.
\ see microfilm for box score
by CNB