Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 9, 1995 TAG: 9509120020
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Colonels fumbled the opening kickoff on their 37-yard line. Five plays later, Petersburg capitalized to take a 7-0 lead.
But Fleming responded with 22 straight points and the Colonels caused three Crimson Wave turnovers en route to a 22-15 non-district victory Friday night at Victory Stadium.
Most of Fleming's (1-1) offense was by way of sophomore tailback Lee Suggs. Suggs scored on touchdown runs of 90 and 25 yards and finished with 196 yards on 22 carries.
The victory was the first for Miller, who replaced former Colonels coach Sherley Stuart. Fleming lost to Heritage 22-19 in overtime last week.
``We appeared to come out somewhat flat,'' Miller said. ``But we played more like we are capable of playing later in the game.''
Petersburg scored its first touchdown on a 31-yard run by Dajuan Coleman.
``We had a good opening series,'' Petersburg coach Tony McKee said. ``After that, we had miscue after miscue.''
Petersburg lost three fumbles in the first half, setting up two Fleming scores.
The Crimson Wave fumbled on the first play of consecutive possessions following Coleman's touchdown.
The second turnover, a fumble recovered at Petersburg's 9-yard line, led to Fleming's first score.
Joseph Brown scored on a 5-yard run to tie the score at 7 with about three minutes left in the opening quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Fleming was backed up to its own 10, facing third-and-long. But Suggs took the handoff and didn't stop running until he had raced 90 yards to give his team the lead for good, 13-7.
``This week, I had a little bit more blocking and the offensive line did a good job,'' said Suggs, who finished with minus-4 yards on four carries last week.
On the next Crimson Wave (0-1) turnover, Garrett Lancaster connected on a 27-yard field goal to give Fleming a 16-7 lead.
The Colonels' final score came on Suggs' 25-yard run with 6:04 left in the third quarter.
After Petersburg scored to close within a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, Suggs carried on five consecutive plays. The possession then ended on a reception by Word for negative yardage. However, the Colonels successfully had killed four minutes off the clock.
On Fleming's last possession, sophomore fullback Tito Stone fought for 2 yards on fourth down with 1:50 left in the game which kept the ball on Fleming's side. Once Petersburg got the ball back with 25 seconds left, the Crimson Wave got off only one play.
``I am feeling sky high,'' Stone said of the team's first victory. ``I like to see the smile on Coach Miller's face.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB