Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410280054
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
To be more specific, the Indians called on running back Tucker LaForce, who did not disappoint. LaForce, a junior, scored on a 33-yard touchdown run and the ensuing two-point conversion, with eight minutes and 20 seconds remaining, to propel Blacksburg to a 29-28 victory and the inside track to the NRVD title.
"It was just an off-tackle play," LaForce said of the 33-yard run. "I ran up the middle, came through and saw a few blockers. The play was only designed to pick up five or six yards, but it turned out to be more."
"We had some pretty good blocking up front from the line, and he had the speed to get there," said Blacksburg coach Dave Crist
Still trailing by one, the Indians lined up to kick the extra point, but a Christiansburg penalty moved the ball inside the two-yard line, and Blacksburg elected to go for two points and the lead.
Once again the Indians called on LaForce, who finished the game with 120 yards on 19 carries, to run the ball off tackle.
"It went off tackle again, and the line went through," LaForce said of the decisive two-point conversion. "I just followed them in."
The victory was a big one for the Indians, who now have to defeat Carroll County to capture the NRVD title.
"It boosts our confidence as a team," LaForce said. "It makes me more confident that maybe I can do it again in a close game."
Though the game was a big one statistically for LaForce, his contributions to the team run deeper than statistics.
"He comes to practice with a real strong work ethic, and he is admired for that," Crist said. "He never complains, he accepts his role for that game no matter how many carries he gets. He is a team player in the truest sense of the word."
Other notable performances:
Christiansburg's Andra Beasley carried the ball 19 times for 247 yards and two touchdowns, including a 77-yard jaunt, in the loss to Blacksburg. Steven Hunt scored three touchdowns, two through the air and one on the ground, for Blacksburg.
Raypheal Milton turned in a typically stellar performance, rushing for 224 yards and three touchdowns, in leading Giles to a 32-11 win over Bland County.
Pulaski's Eric Webb and Tim Davis turned in outstanding performances in a 51-19 victory over William Fleming. Webb rushed for 119 yards on 15 attempts in addition to catching a 40-yard touchdown pass, while Davis gained 151 yards on only eight carries, including a 71-yard touchdown run.
by CNB