Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 13, 1993 TAG: 9311130206
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
An aroused Northside team thoroughly whipped Salem 42-12 on Friday at Salem Stadium in what was one of the Vikings' best moments under coach Jim Hickam. It was 35-6 at halftime, and the only thing that stopped Northside's offense in the opening half was the clock, which ran out on the final drive.
The victory gives Rockbridge County the Blue Ridge title and puts the Wildcats in the Group AA Division 4 Region III playoffs in only the school's second year in existence.
Salem is in the playoffs as a wild-card team after Amherst County beat Brookville 24-0. The Spartans will visit Rustburg next week. Northside is finished, content with the knowledge that it gave Salem a loss the Spartans won't soon forget.
The Vikings ended a 10-year drought against Salem. Northside last beat the Spartans 28-0 in 1983 and gained a tie two years later. Other than that, it had been all Salem since Willis White took over as the Spartans' coach 11 years ago.
"This is one of our greatest victories, especially because we've been shut out in wins so many times by Salem," Hickam said. "It's always the last game of the season and is a focus of that year."
Brian Powell, rushed for 162 yards on 20 carries and scored the first three touchdowns for the Vikings (5-5 overall, 3-2 district). Junior running back Karim Thompson added 139 yards and became the first back under Hickam to rush for more than 1,000 yards as he unofficially finished with 1,059.
Northside's defense, which has given up some points at times this year, was nearly as good as the offense. Northside held Salem to 197 yards total offense, and the Spartans didn't get a long drive going until it was 28-0.
"This is the ultimate way to end the season," said Viking lineman John Huffman. "We proved we're the best team in the district. We just got off to a slow start [in a loss at Rockbridge County]."
Not many people who saw the game would argue. Powell dominated on the first drive, which went 68 yards in nine plays. He ran four times, the last one a 49-yard touchdown run that was a sign of things to come for Salem (7-3, 3-2).
"I'm a senior and we've never beaten Salem. I said, `We're going to beat Salem,' " Powell said of the Vikings' determination.
It didn't stop there. The Spartans' offense went over and out in six plays as Derrick Hollins picked off a Salem pass on the Spartans' 20. Two plays later, Powell scored from the 7 to make it 14-0.
Salem still wasn't sure this was real. The nightmare continued in the second period as the Spartans punted after three plays netted 5 yards. For the second time on a Salem punt, the Vikings fumbled but recovered. For the night, Northside would fumble seven times, but luck was with the Vikings as they lost the ball only once.
Northside's third drive went 53 yards. Powell scored from the 1, but Thompson started the march with a 16-yard run.
"There wasn't a whole lot we could do," White said. "It got out of hand early and there weren't a lot of adjustments to be made."
The next offensive play Northside ran after Powell's three touchdowns proved that it was a full moon for Salem. Vikings quarterback Shane Whisnant, who ran the wishbone to perfection, went to his right and was trapped.
Whisnant faked a pitch, spun and the Salem defender bit. All of a sudden Whisnant was open and he rambled 37 yards for Northside's fourth touchdown.
After Salem's Jomo Nelson accounted for 53 yards and scored to end a three-play drive, the Vikings countered almost as quickly. On the fourth play, Thompson rambled 62 yards as Northside made it 35-6. Moments later, Whisnant would go down with an ankle injury and the Vikings' offense wouldn't be as menacing in the last two quarters.
"I always thought we could win the game," Hickam said. "At the half, I told them we had to stay focused and play four quarters of football. Our seniors deserve credit for their perseverance and dedication to go out winners and give something to the younger kids."
The second half was mostly a necessary evil and Salem players, not used to being blown off the field, lost their cool. Nelson, Timesland's fifth-leading rusher, was ejected in the final minute, meaning he'll miss next week's playoff game.
White expects little trouble getting his team ready for a shot at Rustburg.
"It's a pride thing," he said. "No senior wants to go out on a game like this. The coaches shouldn't have to say a word this week."
by CNB