Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 27, 1994 TAG: 9411120029
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
It was Pulaski County versus Salem, a game that almost always assures a crowd in excess of 10,000.
This year, forget 10,000. Salem fans, according to the story after the Pulaski County game Oct.14, may back off a little if their team isn't at or near the top of the standings.
Pulaski County, as usual, filled up one side of the stadium. That's understandable since Pulaski County has lost only four games the last 21/2 seasons. Maybe Salem fans didn't have faith after their team was blasted 45-6 by the Cougars last year. That game, though, was played in Dublin against a Pulaski team that might have been the best in the school's history as far as sheer talent goes.
``The only disappointing thing of the night is that Pulaski County had more fans than we had,'' said Salem coach Willis White.
OK, Pulaski County is a Group AAA school with roughly 400 more students than Salem. Still, Salem pride for a home game has always counted and the Spartans, who seemed to be on the way back with two consecutive wins after four opening losses. The Spartans' big victories seemed to give their fans all the excuses they needed to come to a game between Salem and Pulaski County.
The game was fantastic. Salem took it to Pulaski County before losing a 21-18 thriller that is arguably the best game played in Timesland so far.
``I was really disappointed because our kids have battled back from a lot of adversity. It kind of seems it went unappreciated,'' said the Salem coach.
White says he doesn't usually notice the size of the crowd. He's busy with game plans. ``The only reason I noticed is that I heard two of our kids, when they came off the field [after warmups], say, `Where are our fans?' We've been having good crowds. I'd hate to think our fans are front runners,'' said White.
``I know we have some [front runners] like everyone. You like to think a majority of fans are diehard and they'll back you no matter what.''
AIR TIME: Roanoke Catholic uses its passing game sparingly, so the Celtics rarely hit the air waves. That will change Saturday, Nov.6 when Catholic plays arch rival North Cross at Victory Stadium at 2 p.m.
The game will be carried on a tape-delayed basis by WROV-AM, which regularly does a high school game of the week. By that time, Catholic may be trying to finish an unbeaten regular season and score the school's first victory over the Raiders since the 1970s.
Meanwhile, North Cross needs a victory to assure Coach Jim Muscaro of a 22nd consecutive non-losing record. During that span, North Cross has enjoyed 21 winning seasons with the worst record coming in 1991 when the Raiders finished 4-4. With Catholic looming as the final game, this week's home contest against Randolph-Macon might be North Cross' best chance at keeping the victory streak alive.
ELUSIVE VICTORY: Parry McCluer coach Bob Williams has 198 career victories with only contests left against unbeaten Bath County, Covington and Group AA rival Rockbridge County.
Williams might make the 200 mark because the Fighting Blues will be underdogs in two of the three games.
Williams, who is stepping down as football coach after the season, leaves with five state championships to his credit - the most of any Timesland coach by a large margin. He is likely headed to the Virginia High School Coaches' Association Hall of Fame where he'll join his old mentor, former Lexington coach Pete Brewbaker who was inducted last week.
READ THE PAPER: Because Donald Williams, who was Lord Botetourt's leading boys' basketball scorer last year, reads the paper, he'll be able to play for the Cavaliers this year.
Williams, who will be 19 prior to the cut-off date set by the Virginia High School League, would have been ineligible this year even though he has a year of school left.
He read in this column several weeks ago where a player from Granby had regained his eligibility even though he was a 19-year-old and that the judge who heard the case had told the Virginia High School League to put their rules in writing. Prior to that, the VHSL had ruled arbitrarily case-by-case.
Williams called this writer and asked if the new rules might apply to him as he is a senior at the Daleville school. He was told to contact either Botetourt principal James Sledd or athletic director Larry Carter, who would look at the new guidelines that make 19-year-olds eligible when they are held back in the lower grades.
Last week, the VHSL executive committee heard Williams' case and ruled he is eligible for this season. It will help the Cavaliers, who lost more players to graduation last year than any other Blue Ridge District team.
BAD POLICY: When the Radford City school board grudgingly approved the Bobcats to drop to Group A status for athletics a year ago, the members put in the ruling that Radford High School could no longer play Group AA schools in contact sports such as football and basketball. This wiped out two old rivalries with Christiansburg and Blacksburg on the football field, costing Radford some money.
As it turns out, this move that no other Group A school follows, might cost Radford a spot in the VHSL playoffs. After losing to Giles, Radford should still finish 8-2, but won't win the new Three Rivers District championship.
Thus, Radford must make the Region C Division 2 playoffs as a wild card. This will be nearly impossible should Patrick Henry-Glade Spring or Rural Retreat beat Lebanon and win all their other games. If that happens and George Wythe wins all its games as it is favored to do, Radford is out while PH-Glade Spring or Rural Retreat, Lebanon, Wythe and Giles are in the playoffs.
Had Radford played and beaten either Blacksburg or Christiansburg, it's likely the Bobcats would have had enough points to make it as a wild card without worrying about PH-Glade Spring losing to Lebanon.
The people who run the Radford schools were overly cautious. Many schools play teams with bigger enrollments without dire consequences. By not allowing Radford to do so, the school board might cause heartache for some youngsters and coaches.
by CNB