Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 17, 1994 TAG: 9411010057
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
That allowed the Cougars to pull away to a 24-6 victory over previously unbeaten Bluefield, W.Va., in the annual renewal of this interstate high school rivalry.
The defense had staked Pulaski County (2-1) to a 7-0 lead. And it maintained the advantage by forcing the Beavers (3-1) into turnovers.
With Bluefield possibly on its way to a tying score late in the first half, the Cougars' defense struck again. Running back Yubrenal Isabelle broke through the line, shed several would-be tacklers and moved inside the Pulaski County 20 with just under three minutes left in the first half.
Once there though, linebacker Mike Rupe knocked the football from Isabelle's hands and Jamar McNair fell on the fumble.
"We just had to go after them," said McNair, characterizing the Cougars' gang-tackling approach to stopping Bluefield. "We knew we needed a break. I saw the ball lying there. So I took advantage of it."
At the time, the turnover appeared only to delay an inevitable tying score by Bluefield. At that point, the Beavers had outgained Pulaski County 93 yards to 27.
Instead, the play became the turning point.
"You can't fault Isabelle," said Bluefield coach Freddy Simon. "We played well and the running back was trying for extra yards. But against a good football team, you can't give up the ball like we did and come out on top."
Pulaski County used some different tactics with its running game over the final 2:49 of the half. The changes worked as the Cougars moved from their own 20 to the Bluefield 20 over the next 21/2 minutes.
That drive set up a 36-yard field goal by Shawn Graham that extended the Cougars lead to 10-0 at intermission.
And Pulaski County more than doubled its offensive total on the march with 55 rushing yards (the other five came on a Bluefield penalty).
"We starting shifting and I think that gave them some trouble," said Pulaski County coach Joel Hicks. "And we started running away from their slants. By the end of the second quarter, we figured their slants. We started calling plays accordingly."
With its new-found knowledge in hand, Pulaski County made some additional adjustments during halftime.
Then they took the kickoff and marched 73 yards in six plays to all but put the game. The climax came when Jawan Clark swept around left end 33 yards for the the touchdown that made it 16-0. It was Pulaski County's first offensive touchdown in six quarters.
"I've been waiting for my chance and it came tonight," said Clark. "I got great blocking. The line really did it."
The defense put the first touchdown on the scoreboard for the Cougars, ending a four-quarter touchdown drought.
Andre Eaves picked off a pass by Bluefield quarterback Keith Pruett, cut across to the left sideline and went 85 yards for the score.
"I had to beat two or three guys to get going but once I got passed them it was wide open to the end zone," said Eaves. "And I wanted the touchdown. I hadn't scored in two games. So I made sure I gave it the second effort."
Another Bluefield miscue set up the Cougars' last score. On the last play of the third quarter, a low snap eluded punter Shawn Lusk. Lusk was able to cover the ball but possession turned over on downs to Pulaski County at the Beaver 3.
Two plays into the fourth quarter, Tim Davis burst into the end zone to make it 24-0.
The Beavers avoided a shutout when Isabelle scored on a five-yard sweep midway through the final period.
The touchdown was set up by a 36-yard pass from Pruett to Reginal Simmons. However that was one of the few times that Pruett and his receivers hooked up as he completed just four of 22 passes against the Cougars' pass defense.
see microfilm for box score
by CNB