Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 29, 1994 TAG: 9410310059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: GALAX LENGTH: Medium
When plays had to be made in the fourth quarter Friday night, Radford made them.
Larnell Lewis broke a tackle and scored. Jameel Hendrick came up with a drive-ending sack. And Foster Ridpath intercepted a desperation pass on the last play of the game.
Those three plays were crucial as the Bobcats downed Galax 13-7 in a non-district high school football game.
The victory keeps Radford (6-2) in the chase for a Division 2 Region C playoff spot.
Despite the loss that ended its three-game winning streak, Galax (3-5) remained in the Division 1 Region C playoff hunt.
Lewis broke a tie on the first play of the fourth quarter. He broke free from the grasp of Maroon Tide linebacker Larry Testerman in the backfield and scampered 7 yards into the end zone.
``I had good blocks from Jameel and the line,'' Lewis said. ``When I went over [to the Radford sideline] at the change of the quarter, the coaches told me to smell the goal line. I smelled the goal line and that's how I got in.''
After taking the lead, the Bobcats had to hold it.
That was no easy feat, because Galax's balanced running attack had been grinding out yardage all game.
Once again, the Maroon Tide methodically rolled downfield. The drive started at the Galax 25-yard line with 11 minutes, 55 seconds left. The Maroon Tide reached the Radford 6 with less than four minutes to go.
Faced with fourth-and-three, Galax tried to pass. But Hendrick was there to take down quarterback Andy Ashworth before he could throw.
``I was looking for a dive,'' Hendrick said. ``Then, I read it and moved in and got him.''
Temple Kessinger, the Maroon Tide's coach, took the blame for the drive falling short.
``We didn't get it in at the end,'' he said. ``It was poor play selection.''
Radford took over with 3:31 left and came up about a minute short of running out the clock. Chuck Hubbard fielded a low snap and got a punt away.
Galax had once last chance, taking over at its 46 with 58 seconds left.
A reverse yielded nothing. Then, the Maroon Tide tried a flea-flicker pass as time wound down. But Ridpath stayed at home in the secondary and picked off the pass as time expired.
``We were in a deep coverage,'' Ridpath said. ``I recognized the play. I've seen other teams run it and we have it. So I just stayed on my man and hoped I could come up with something.''
What he came up with was the interception.
Galax's running game, which brought the Maroon Tide close to a possible tying or winning score was most effective on its first possession.
The hosts took the opening kickoff and marched 84 yards on 19 plays. Ashworth capped the 10:48 possession with a 1-yard keeper, and the conversion kick made it 7-0.
Galax marched deep into Bobcats territory on its second possession. But a 25-yard field-goal attempt by Paul Orton hit the right upright and bounced back.
Radford pulled even in the last minute of the first half as Lewis scored on a 1-yard plunge. But it was Marlon Wesley who set up the score, carrying seven times for 54 yards during the drive.
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB