Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 21, 1995 TAG: 9510230127
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Epperly played on both sides of the line of scrimmage, throwing a pair of scoring passes and taking part in a defense that held archrival Blacksburg at bay most of a Friday night of frightful weather as the Blue Demons came from behind to beat Blacksburg 19-12 and win the last New River District football championship.
``This was such an impoortant game for us,'' Epperly said after composing himself. ``This was such an important win.''
No doubt about that for Christiansburg (4-4 overall, 2-0 in the New River District), which hasn't had much chance to stage this sort of celebration, much less on Blacksburg's field.
The big play of the night, as far as Christiansburg was concerned, was Epperly's tipped pass to Ricky Williams that turned into a 61-yard scoring play with 9 minutes, 56 seconds left in the game.
``The tipped pass was pure luck,'' said Epperly, who completed only three passes (in 10 attempts), but two of them for touchdowns.
There wasn't a whole lot of luck to it after Williams snagged the wet ball and cut back across the field to outrun everybody in sight to the goal line. Actually, it might have been fortunate that he kept his feet in the goop produced from a driving rain that began just before kickoff and continued throughout.
The weather seemed to bother the Indians (2-5, 0-1) more than it did Christiansburg. Blacksburg fumbled six times, losing four, and was limited to only 110 total yards and five first downs, one in the second half.
Blacksburg coach David Crist brushed off alibi opportunities.
``I'm not using the weather as an excuse,'' he said. ``[Christiansburg] had to play in it, too.''
The Williams TD was followed by a failed attempt at a two-point conversion and that left Christiansburg with a 13-12 lead. Blacksburg could do nothing in its next possession then coughed up a blocked punt at its 24. Christiansburg stalled at the 3, though.
The Indians moved to its 17, but on fourth down, quarterback Tommy LaForce was sacked forcing a fumble the Rocky Gravley carried in from 7 yards away for an insurance TD with 2:27 left.
Christiansburg had scored first with 5:16 left in the first quarter when Epperly threw 9 yards to Larry Carter for the score.
``He told me to look for him,'' said Epperly, who booted the subsequent extra point.
Blacksburg answered with a 5-yard Tucker LaForce score that had been made possible by a fumble recovery on the Christiansburg 9.
Late in the second quarter, Christiansburg embarked on a long drive to set up for a 36-yard field goal attempt with 1 second left. However, Blacksburg's Steven Hunt broke through to block the kick then picked up the loose ball and raced 70 yards for a touchdown as time expired.
``We had everything going our way,'' Crist said.
see microfilm for box score
by CNB