Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 8, 1994 TAG: 9410150023
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT LENGTH: Medium
With the heretofore widely criticized back rolling up 280 all-purpose yards, two interceptions and four touchdowns, the Cougars routed Franklin County 44-0 on Friday night to open defense of their Roanoke Valley District football crown.
People were wondering what evil spell Davis had come under after he served as an exemplary starter at cornerback for two full seasons. Suddenly, he seemed to come apart at the seams as a senior.
Fumbled punts, unwise penalties, uncertain play at his new position, fullback. Davis hadn't quite been himself.
Until Friday, when he ran 61 yards for a score the second time he touched the ball and essentially never stopped scooting.
``Timmy Davis had one of those dream nights,'' said Joel Hicks, the Cougars' coach. ``That's the kind of game you dream about since you're in little league.''
Davis finished with eight carries that also included scoring excursions of 72 and 30 yards. In all, he led all rushers with 188 yards. But in all fairness, he must share some of the credit.
``With the holes he had, any back could have gotten down the field like he did,'' said Horace Green, Franklin County's coach. ``He was past our safety when the safety was still in backpedal. And that's not good.''
In short, Pulaski County's blocking was sensational.
``We practiced staying low this week,'' said Cougars guard Chris Lawson. ``It makes us feel pretty good to see a back do that well.''
Davis alone takes credit for some other achievements. Take the two interceptions he snagged (Pulaski County had four in all, two by second-string safety Ronald Branch). The second Davis pick was something to see.
``The ball wasn't thrown well, so it was easy to catch,'' he said. ``I was playing weak side and they usually don't throw to that side. When I caught it, I just kept my legs moving. They couldn't seem to stop me; I don't know why.''
Davis started up the right sideline from the Pulaski County 22-yard line, crossed midfield and cut back, leaving defenders as he went. At about the Franklin County 20, he was hit twice, but somehow managed to spin from the grasp of the tacklers like a dervish and was gone. That was with 18 seconds left in the third quarter, and that was the end of the Cougars' onslaught. The fourth quarter belonged to the reserves.
Pulaski County finished with 386 yards rushing, 244 of those before intermission. Halfback Derrick Hunter accounted for 94 yards in seven carries and wingback Eric Webb added 46 yards.
``We were not prepared, and for that it's the coach's fault,'' Green said. ``The buck sweep, the blast and the trap - that's their offense. You stop that and they try something else. We couldn't.''
Hunter added a 41-yard touchdown slash with 9 minutes, 9 seconds left in the first quarter, and Jawan Clark took one in from 29 yards with 4:21 left before the break. Shayne Graham kicked a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter.
Special teams again were not a Pulaski County strong point. Franklin County had two long kickoff returns, and two Cougars conversion kicks were botched. The defense also was off at times.
``If we executed, we moved the ball,'' Green said.
Franklin County had 200 yards on the ground, 106 of that by John Muse. Most of the offense came in the second half with the Eagles (2-4 overall, 0-1 in the district) rushing for 151 yards and picking up nine of their 11 first downs.
That didn't mean much, though, because Pulaski County (4-1, 1-0) had seven takeaways and did not turn over the ball.
``I think Pulaski County was pretty good tonight,'' Hicks said.
Most especially, that Davis guy.
``I had three bad games in a row,'' he said. ``I felt like I was due. Coach Hicks had confidence in me and he gave me a second chance. He did a lot to keep my self-esteem up and that helped a lot.''
by CNB