Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 24, 1994 TAG: 9411040016
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DANVILLE LENGTH: Medium
An attempt to rally from 18 points down never reached completion, but not for lack of effort as host George Washington-Danville held off the Patriots 34-30 Friday night in a non-district match.
PH (2-1) closed to the final margin after recovering an onside kick then following that with a 49-yard drive that ended in a 7-yard scoring run by quarterback Donnie Smith with 3 minutes, 42 seconds left.
The conversion kick was botched, but that followed form on an evening in which special teams implosions were especially galling to the coaches.
GW (3-1) recovered another PH attempt at an onside kick then ground out the clock, a 23-yard pass from quarterback Nathan Poole to running back Theomone Brooks on third and 9 being the final poison pill for the Patriots.
The Eagles improved to 15-4-1 all-time against their guest from Roanoke, who have never won here. This despite six fumbles, three of which were lost, and two failed attempts to execute a punt.
The first of those was blocked by Enoch Williams and recovered by Montrice Smith in the end zone for a touchdown that shaved the PH deficit to 28-16.
``Our punting game, I'm ashamed,'' GW coach Ed Martin said. ``We really haven't had to punt yet. Then we get into a pressure situation against a good team and we can't handle it.''
Another butchered punt happened when Eagles kicker Jacob Scism dropped a snap in a play that ended up in a PH recovery at the Eagles' 44. On second and 19, Donnie Smith connected with Montrice Smith for a 54-yard score that made it 34-24.
In all, 24 of the Patriots' points came courtesy of either fumbles or poor execution of a punt.
PH had its problems as well, particularly 85 yards worth of penalties, an interception, and a lost fumble.
``We gave it away a lot,'' PH coach Ed Scott said. ``We got some of them back.''
PH led 10-7 thanks to a 33-yard Montrice Smith field goal and a 36 scoring run by running back Kevin Washington. But GW came right back with a 6-yard run on a pitchout to Brooks with 7 minutes, 3 seconds left in the first half.
GW added to its advantage on the Patriots' subsequent possession. On third and 11 from the PH 15, Donnie Smith rolled to his left looking downfield. But with linebacker Chris Clark in thundering pursuit, Smith attempted a pass that never left his hand until defensive end Tyrone Robertson snatched it and rambled into the end zone.
PH trailed the rest of the way.
PH did manage 124 yards rushing with Washington leading the way with 66 yards in eight carries. Donnie Smith also had a big night with 162 yards total offense including 123 yards on 9-for-15 passing (one interception).
``I know this sounds silly with them scoring 30 points, but I felt like we played pretty good defense,'' Martin said.
The GW wing-T offense had PH on its heels most of the night, but all Martin could think of was the errors.
``Fumbles, special teams breakdowns. I don't know,'' he said. ``We have nine starters back from a team last year that averaged 40 points a game, so I know we can do it.''
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB