Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 9, 1994 TAG: 9409090038
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PEARISBURG LENGTH: Medium
Giles High senior tailback and safety Raypheal Milton had the game of a lifetime (so far) in a 30-14 victory over Blacksburg. Milton had a school-record 343 yards in total offense including 238 yards rushing, and scored three touchdowns not to mention being in on 10 tackles in his first-ever start on defense.
"What he did speaks for itself," Giles coach Steve Ragsdale said.
Just to make sure that everybody got the point, David Crist, the opposing coach, had this to say:
"I think he ought to be the player of the week. He has my vote. He probably has the vote of all my players, too."
Consider it done, coach.
The only thing that Ragsdale was worried about was whether Milton would have anything left in the fourth quarter after such exertions on both side of the ball against a good team.
"He was fine," Ragsdale said.
So fine that he appeared to have a 56-yard scoring run on the next to the last play of the game. But in an effort to get around a blocker, he stepped out at the Blacksburg 17 and the play was called back.
Give him that 17 yards that he should have had and another 20 or so passing yards he should have had save a dropped pass and a 7-yard heave for a TD that was also dropped and you'd have a mighty nice night under the lights.
What do you think he wanted to talk about later?
"Ever since 10th grade, my dream has been to play defense," he said.
The only hangup to that reverie was a busted-up shoulder that kept him sidelined for the best part of six games. Most of that was when Giles was churning through the late regular season and playoffs on the way to the Group A Division 2 state championship. Milton's duties? Third-down passing specialist, occasional decoy and team manager. You know, the guy who makes sure the showers are turned off and the towels stacked in the proper place.
"I got used to it," he said.
Everybody at Giles was talking about Milton's demeanor the week of the Blacksburg game. They said you could see it in his eyes.
"I was focused in," he said.
Kind of like a magnifying glass that's just about to start a forest fire.
Other performances of note:
Larnell Lewis of Radford rushed for 106 yards, scored three touchdowns, and threw for another in a 34-8 victory over Parry McCluer. Marlon Wesley had 103 yards in 10 carries for the Bobcats.
Jamie Warren of Floyd County rushed for 138 yards and a TD in a 27-24 victory over James River.
Eric Webb had 119 rushing yards and a TD for Pulaski County in a 55-20 victory over Anacostia of Washington, D.C.
Greg Shockley of Blacksburg had 184 yards total offense including 140 passing. and threw for a 49-yard TD to Tony Wheeler in the loss to Giles.
by CNB