Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 29, 1994                   TAG: 9411140024
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DWIGHT FOXX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT                                LENGTH: Medium

SMITH, PH PASS OVER FRANKLIN CO.

Patrick Henry's junior quarterback didn't start the game after missing two practices this week with strep throat. But he relieved Donna Dunnavile and completed 7 of 11 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns as the Patriots scored 20 points in a three-minute span for a 28-14 Roanoke Valley district win that spoiled Franklin County's homecoming.

The two teams played to a scoreless tie in the opening quarter before Franklin County struck first on a 26-yard run by fullback John Muse on the first play of the second period for a 7-0 lead.

Patrick Henry (6-2, 2-0) showed no offensive life until it took over at Franklin County's 22-yard line with 2 minutes, 25 seconds remaining in the first half. Then Smith and Jamie Price provided a spark.

Price got past the Eagles' defense, then hauled in the pass from Smith, Price's cousin, at the 40-yard line. Price went the rest of the way for a 78-yard score. Donnie Smith's pass to Montrice Smith for the two-point conversion gave the Patriots an 8-7 lead with 2:14 left in the half.

``Coach [Patrick Henry head coach Ed Scott] wanted to get me isolated one-on-one to see if I could beat my man deep,'' Price said. ``I just ran an up pattern and beat him.''

Smith says he had total faith in his cousin on the crucial pass play that turned the game in Patrick Henry's favor.

``It was easy to get the ball to my cousin, '' the quarterback said. ``I just lobbed it over the top of their cornerback. They had no safety over there. It was there all night.''

Defensive end Chris Combs then recovered an Eagles' fumble at the Franklin County 29 with 1:30 left in the half. Fullback Kevin Washington capped a four-play drive when he plunged in from 1 yard out to give the Patriots a 14-7 lead with 43 seconds remaining.

Patrick accumulated 137 of his 185 yards of first-half offense in the final 2:25.

``It [the pass from Smith-to-Price] was a big play,'' Scott said. ``It was a momentum builder.''

The momentum continued into the second half when Smith found Combs wide open on a bootleg left pass for a 69-yard touchdown on the first play of the third quarter to stretch the Patriots' advantage to 20-7.

``He [Donnie Smith] made some good decisions on when to throw the ball long and when to throw it short,'' Scott said.

Smith, who completed six consecutive passes during one stretch, threw his third touchdown on a 13-yard pass to Montrice Smith with 2:30 left in the third period. Price's two-point conversion run gave the Patriots a commanding 28-7 lead.

``I give the credit to the [offensive] line,'' Smith said. ``I didn't get sacked all night.''

Franklin County (2-7, 0-3) fullback John Muse, who was named Mr. Football during halftime festivities, gained 146 yards on 23 carries and scored two touchdowns.