Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 21, 1993 TAG: 9311200170
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Rockbridge County's storybook season came to an end Friday night when the Wildcats failed to convert a late two-point conversion and dropped their opening playoff game to Amherst County, 14-13.
The Wildcats scored their second touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run by Andy Cline with only 2:31 to play. Given the choice of going for a single-point conversion to tie, or a two-point conversion to win, Rockbridge coach Jamie Talbott never hesitated.
"Ties are like kissing your sister," Talbott said. "We don't play for ties."
Wildcat quarterback Scott Rogers was throwing for Cline on the two-point attempt, but the Lancers' defenders seemed to sense the play was coming. The pass was deflected by a lineman and defensive back Larry Hunter intercepted it.
"I wouldn't say we knew what they were going to do, but our defensive coordinator coached up here last year," Amherst coach Mickey Crouch said.
Rockbridge successfully employed the Rogers-to-Cline two-pointer to upend Northside in a similar setting in the season opener.
"I'm extremely proud of our team," Talbott said of his Blue Ridge District champion squad, which finished 7-4. "I think everyone had written us off before the season began."
Rockbridge is in its second year of high school existence.
Amherst's victory set up an all-Seminole District rematch for the regional championship. Next Friday, the Lancers (10-1) will travel to Rustburg and face the only team that has beaten them this year.
The teams played to a 7-7 draw - with comparable total yardage - in the first half. Rockbridge scored first, moving the ball 68 yards on a diversified 15-play drive.
Six Wildcat backs carried the ball on the touchdown drive, and on their only pass play of the march, Rogers hit Kenny Lewis with a 15-yard completion on a fourth-down situation. Rogers scored on a quarterback sneak.
Amherst quickly retaliated. Three Cameron Kinney rushes netted 28 yards, and then Hunter burst through the line for a 55-yard TD gallop.
The Lancers had the ball in good field position twice during the second quarter, but holding penalties thwarted the respective drives.
Kinney finished with 122 rushing yards on 15 carries.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB