Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 23, 1995 TAG: 9509260111
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The sophomore linebacker pulled two big plays in a row as the Knights reached heights they haven't seen since the 1970s in knocking off Heritage 26-7 in a non-district game at Cave Spring Junior High.
First, Wells downed a punt on the Pioneer 2, putting Heritage in a deep hole midway through the final quarter. At the time, Cave Spring was nursing a 12-7 lead after Heritage's Dewayne Banks had scored on an 85-yard scamper late in the third period.
The play after Wells downed the punt, he recovered a fumble by Heritage's Andre Hunt, who had the misfortune to run into the Knights' Jimmy Fusco. On the next play, Jason Fox, who rushed for 107 yards, scored to clinch Cave Spring's fourth victory for the Knights' fastest start in 20 years.
``When I saw my man pull off [on the punt], I released,'' Wells said. ``Then the ball just happened to fall in front of me. When Jimmy hit the guy [Hunt], I happened to see the ball and picked it up. I was sort of in the right spot at the right time.''
Fortunate for Cave Spring. The Knights' defense was outstanding, except for one play when Banks blew through the middle on a draw for his touchdown gallop. It dawned on Cave Spring that Heritage (3-1) was within one play of winning a game it had been out of for the first 30 minutes.
``We knew about their long-run threat,'' said Cave Spring coach Steve Spangler, whose team failed to beat Heritage a year ago when it had won its opening three games.
``They hit the right play and that kid was off. But I'm as proud as I can be of our defense because they played their hearts out.''
How true that was. Other than the long run, Heritage managed just 36 yards of total offense. The Pioneers never threatened.
Meanwhile, the Knights' offense operated behind Fox, who had a career-high rushing total and scored two touchdowns.
Fox actually should have scored three times, but a not-so-funny thing happened to him on the way for the Knights' first score. The senior running back broke clear for 29 yards and appeared to be headed for a 59-yard touchdown run. But he dropped the ball at the Pioneer 30. Teammate Nathan Manning picked it up and took it the rest of the way.
``I ran into one of my own players, I stumbled and my knee hit the ball,'' Fox said.
Not to worry, for Manning was right there. ``I was trying to get a block and saw the ball. I just picked it up. I had to make a cut [to beat one man],'' Manning said.
After stopping Heritage, Cave Spring came back with a quick 56-yard scoring strike for a 12-0 lead at the half. Quarterback Jeff Lang hit three passes, but the big play belonged to Billy Frantz on a 23-yard reception. The Knight receiver simply took the ball away from Heritage's Brian Harris on a spectacular catch.
After Lang connected with Manning for 14 yards, Fox ripped over from the 4. ``I was running good, but I couldn't have done it without my line,'' said Fox, who operated most of the night behind a forward wall led by Mike Mitchem.
Cave Spring got a late touchdown after Heritage tried and failed on a fourth down from its 21 in a desperation comeback attempt. Mitchem stopped the play, sacking quarterback Hunt for a 16-yard loss back to the 5 and Josh Dowdy scored on the next play.``Jeff was off throwing the ball tonight,'' said Spangler of his quarterback. ``Everyone's entitled. Jason stepped up. Offensively, I'm not as happy. But I'm happy to go away with a victory.''
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB