Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 17, 1994 TAG: 9411010059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The experts already are comparing Patrick Henry's defense to its 1973 Group AAA football state champion unit, which held opponents scoreless in the playoffs.
Friday night, it was PH's running game that brought back memories. The Patriots, the top-ranked team in Timesland, rushed for 295 yards and routed winless Salem 28-7 at Salem Stadium.
In two games, the Patriots have outscored their opponents 54-16. Both foes have been AA schools, however.
Junior fullback Dan Ankoma rolled up 127 yards (on 18 carries) and three first-half touchdowns, as PH (2-0) opened a 21-0 lead at the half. The Patriots ground game was aided by speedster Jamie Price (71 yards on 12 carries), and quarterback Donnie Smith (79 yards on 11 attempts).
Coincidentally, PH's quarterback in 1973 also was named Donnie Smith.
Salem, which entered this year with 10 consecutive winning seasons and eight consecutive playoff appearances, dropped to 0-3. It was the fifth consecutive loss for Spartans coach Willis White, who last lost five in a row as head coach at Fort Chiswell in 1968.
PH scored on its first two possessions, marching 77 and 49 yards, respectively. The drives did not feature a single pass, as the offensive line opened huge holes for its backfield.
Ankoma had 66 yards rushing (on seven carries) in the first quarter, all of them between the tackles.
"At first, Salem concentrated on taking away our outside running game,'' said Patriots coach Ed Scott. "Jamie Price is a threat every time he touches the ball.'' Price is the defending state champion in the 100 meters.
It was three-downs-and-out for Salem on its first two offensive series. The next two times the Spartans had the ball, running backs Mike Murphy and Gussie Vaughan fumbled it away. Patriots defensive standout Chris Combs recovered both loose balls.
Salem picked up its first first down of the game midway through the second quarter - on its fifth series - but three plays later Spartans quarterback Seth Moore overthrew his receiver and was intercepted by Nick Saunders.
The Spartans' only touchdown came in the final period. It was set up by a dazzling 53-yard punt return by Aaron Coffey. Salem mounted another potential scoring drive late in the game, but Moore's final pass sailed through the hands of an open receiver in the end zone.
"I thought we played pretty well,'' Scott said. "That punt return was disappointing, but other than that, we looked good.''
The Patriots held Salem to 43 rushing yards. Moore threw for 125, but was intercepted three times.
"Until our offense matures, our defense is our strength,'' Scott said. PH forced five turnovers.
Smith was only 2-of-6 (with one interception), but the Patriots ran the ball 47 times for an average gain per carry of 6.3 yards.
see microfilm for box score
by CNB