Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 30, 1995 TAG: 9509300013
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This game ``is very important,'' said head coach Denie Marie. ``We're treating every game as a must-[win] game.''
Roanoke (2-3) is in fourth place in the Mid-Atlantic division, but could move up with a victory over the third-place Washington Stonewalls (3-2) at 7 p.m. today at Victory Stadium.
The top three teams in each of the five divisions earn a playoff berth. In order for the Rush to play into November, Roanoke could help itself by stringing together consecutive victories - something that has not happened this season.
``We can't look at standings. We can only control ourselves,'' said tailback Anthony Drakeford. ``Right now, the Stonewalls [game] is the most important game. Next week, the [Washington] Chiefs [game] will be the most important.''
The Rush, coming off a 35-7 victory over the Washington Chiefs two weeks ago, defeated the Stonewalls 9-8 on Aug.19 in Washington, D.C. Kicker Tony Powell made a 45-yard field goal as time expired to give the Rush the victory.
According to coaches and players, the game was very physical - a department which defensive back Robert Majors believes favors his squad.
``Defensively, I think we have them intimidated,'' Majors said. ``Their tailbacks were scared to run and their wide receivers were scared to catch [the ball].''
The Rush is the top-ranked team in the division in points allowed (66). However, Marie's squad is second from the bottom in points scored (74).
With injuries to tailbacks Ranall White and Jamie Warren, Roanoke will start Drakeford in the backfield for the second straight game. Drakeford, a converted wide receiver, ran for 153 yards in the game against the Chiefs.
``It's easy to get yards when everybody is picking up his assignment,'' Drakeford said. ``It seems like we're really in sync in what we're trying to do and in what we want to do.''
What the Rush wants now is a playoff berth and the only guaranteed way of achieving that goal is victories.
by CNB