
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, December 7, 1993                   TAG: 9312070072
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BROKEN JAW HAS STATUS OF PULASKI Z-BACK IN DOUBT

After nearly two years of having everything go right, the Pulaski County Cougars have run into a serious injury jinx as they prepare for their Group AAA Division 6 state championship football game Saturday against Annandale at W.T. Woodson in Fairfax.

Eric Webb, a junior running back and defensive end, suffered a broken jaw in the Cougars' 24-7 semifinal victory over Indian River last Saturday. Last year, when Pulaski County won its first state football championship, injuries were never a factor.

This year, the most serious injuries struck center Reggie Page (neck) early in the season and quarterback-defensive back Andre Eaves (hip) in the middle of the year. Eaves didn't miss any playing time because of his injury.

"[Webb's] jaw has been wired shut and we'll meet with our team doctor," said Joel Hicks, Pulaski County's coach. "He's not out. He's very questionable, and if he plays, he'll definitely be limited."

Webb, a 6-foot-1, 193-pound junior, gained 101 yards on eight carries last Saturday. He runs the criss-cross of Pulaski County's Wing T offense. To date, few teams have slowed that play, also a key in springing open Carl Lewis, the Cougars' leading ground-gainer. Webb is also regarded as one of Pulaski County's strongest defensive players.

Hicks said Webb's jaw was broken with about eight minutes left against Indian River. He left the game and then came back to finish the last four minutes after doctors checked him out.

Originally, Webb's problem was diagnosed as having his teeth jammed and "we felt like what we needed to do was send him to the dentist," Hicks said.

While Webb played in the final quarter, he never ran the ball. His last run was a 30-yard jaunt on the final play of the third quarter that set up a Pulaski County field goal to give the Cougars a 17-7 lead.

Hicks said Billy Ingles will run Z-back and play defensive end. John Lilly will also work some at Z-back, while Tim Kimbrough will help on defense.

"He got a crack back block on the side of the jaw," said Hicks of Webb's injury. "It was a perfectly legal block."

Pulaski County officials were also concerned about the site of Saturday's game. Woodson has assured Pulaski County that it is working on the field.

"Seating-wise, it was the only place [in that area] that you could place a large crowd," said Pulaski County athletic director Ron Kanipe.

"The concern was that they played their regional final in a big rain storm and the field was roughed up pretty good," Kanipe said. "Then they had the big rain this past weekend. The field is drying slowly, but they're reconditioning it the best they can."

The time of the game has been moved to 2 p.m., in order to allow Pulaski County fans more driving time to get to the game.

by CNB