Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 17, 1994 TAG: 9411010058
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NARROWS LENGTH: Medium
Of course, Narrows, just seven miles down the road, would not be expected to give the Spartans a breather. The Green Wave certainly did not let up Friday before falling 30-16 in a non-district match of old rivals.
The game turned on one play, an interception by Raypheal Milton of Giles inside the Spartans' 10 when receiver Keith Morris fell down and quarterback Bryan Pruett forced a pass into the teeth of a fierce rush.
Given the one opening they needed, the Spartans marched 74 yards in four plays, the last a 33-yard Milton sprint around right end, to seal the game with 3 minutes, 14 seconds left. Milton threw to Matt Tawney for two points to complete what well could have been a 16-point turnaround.
``We were driving,'' Narrows coach Don Lowe said. ``We had them where we wanted them. We had them confused.''
So hats off to Milton and the defense.
``It was a huge play, huge,'' Giles coach Steve Ragsdale said.
Milton had a huge game, which is getting to be rather routine (but never dull) for him. His numbers: 307 yards total offense including 164 yards rushing; 9-for-12 passing; 28 of his team's 30 points; and the play of the game.
``We threw everything we could throw at him,'' Lowe said. ``I'm impressed with how tough he is. He's a man.''
And a humble one at that.
``The key to the game was our offensive line,'' Milton said. ``Narrows has the best defense we've played against. They have four down linemen who are quick, stay low, and don't quit. Our line answered the challenge.''
After taking a 22-8 intermission lead thanks to 197 yards in total offense and 20 points scored by Milton, Giles (3-0 overall, 1-0 in the Three Rivers District) found itself in a ferocious second-half struggle.
Narrows served notice with a 47-yard bomb from Pruett to Morris, who ran through a Milton tackle on the way down the left sideline to the end zone. Pruett then connected with Robbie Stafford for two points to make the score 22-16 with 9:31 left in the quarter.
After an exchange of punts, Narrows began its advance from its 20. With Norman Perkins rushing for 20 yards and Morris for 16, the Green Wave (1-2, 0-0 in the Mountain Empire District) faced a third-and-5 from the Giles 35.
``We'd saved a special play for that situation,'' Lowe said. ``We knew they'd be looking option and the cornerback would come up.''
Which was what happened, but Milton stayed home as Pruett sought Morris for another bomb.
``I was getting burnt in the front half and not reading my keys,'' Milton said. ``I adjusted, started reading my keys, and I happened to be at the right place at the right time.''
Others for Giles weren't at the right place at the right time. Maurice Milton, Raypheal's twin brother and the starting fullback and place kicker, didn't play at all. In his stead, 245-pound junior Brandon Steele steamrolled for 63 yards in six plays and Giles never attempted a conversion kick.
The receiving corps took a severe blow when end Anthony Myers, who caught four balls for 58 yards, was lost with what appears to be at least a badly sprained right knee. He was to have X-rays late Friday. Mark Farrier had four catches for 59 yards.
``Narrows has a darn good football team,'' Ragsdale said. ``We feel very fortunate to have won that game.''
The Spartans were similarly fortunate to have Raypheal Milton on their side.
see microfilm for box score
by CNB