Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 1, 1994 TAG: 9410220039
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WADE KENDRICK SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Led by their potent wishbone attack, the Vikings controlled the line of scrimmage while pounding out 303 yards rushing in a 28-14 Blue Ridge District win over Byrd.
``Our goal is to pick up a first down on every snap and then the touchdowns will take care of themselves,'' Northside coach Jim Hickam said. The Vikings didn't quite pick up a first down on every play but they did manage to keep the chain gang busy, grinding out 20 first downs while limiting Byrd to 63 yards rushing and forcing the Terriers to go to their passing game.
Karim Thompson gave Northside a 7-0 lead on a 13-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter. Then the Vikings got a break on their next possession when quarterback Mike Dillon had the ball stripped loose deep in Byrd territory, only to have teammate Darius Henderson pounce on the loose ball at the 7 and scamper in for the touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
``My man had hit me to stop the option and when I had slid off him I saw the ball right in front of me rolling on the ground,'' Henderson explained. ``I just scooped it up and ran with it.''
Byrd closed to 14-7 on a 12-yard TD pass from Matt Bryant to Michael Berry with 23 seconds remaining in the half. Berry had set up the score moments earlier on a 59-yard reception to the Vikings' 7.
Byrd appeared primed to make a run early in the second half, stopping the Vikings on three downs to force a punt. But a clipping penalty stopped the Terriers, forcing them to punt. John Doss took the Byrd punt at the Vikings' 12 and quickly shed a Terrier defender, rambling 46 yards to Byrd's 42.
Thompson scored his second of three touchdowns moments later on a 14-yard run on a pitchout from Dillon.
``We had them hemmed in on the punt return and he slipped away,'' Byrd coach Jeff Highfill said. ``That play took our momentum away. Our kids didn't back down when we got down 14-0. We had come back to make it 14-7, then stuffed them on three straight plays to open the second half. It would have been interesting if we had been able to make the tackle to pin them deep in their end.''
Northside was able to stop Byrd's Barry Myvett, who had been averaging more than 150 yards a game. Myvett was no factor, gaining 50 yards on 11 carries.
With its running game shut down, Byrd (2-2 overall, 0-1 district) had to rely on its passing attack. Quarterback Matt Bryant was 11 of 21 for 171 yards.
``All their big plays came off the pass,'' Hickam said. ``We hadn't seen anyone throw that much. We kinda got acclimated to what we've seen so far. We've got Blacksburg next week and I know they'll put the ball in the air.
Northside (3-1,2-0) got its final touchdown midway in the final quarter on Thompson's 3-yard run . The score was set up by the Vikings' only pass completion of the game - a 27-yard pass from Dillon to Brian Sells.
Byrd closed it to 28-14 late in the game on a 1-yard sneak by Bryant.
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB