Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 22, 1995 TAG: 9510230071
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Both were achieved.
Roanoke scored on four of its six first-half possessions and held the Warlocks scoreless through three quarters. The result was a 40-16 victory in the National Minor League Football season finale for the Rush at Victory Stadium.
"We needed this game to make the Southern Division round of the playoffs," quarterback T.J. Jackson said. "We didn't want to play in the Northern Division."
Jackson cited the difference in the weather as a reason for wanting to play in the south. Another reason, according to other Rush personnel, is less difficult competition.
The top two teams in the Northern Division of the playoffs, the Philadelphia Storm and the West Virginia Lightning, combined for one loss in 17 games going into Saturday. The Atlanta Titans of the Southern Atlantic Division is the only other team in the league with eight victories.
The Rush's playoff opponent is yet determined but Roanoke (7-4) clinched third place in the division by defeating the Washington Stonewalls twice.
Delaware (0-8) fumbled the opening kickoff and Roanoke recovered at the Warlocks' 22. Three plays later, Jackson kept the ball on the sweep and went 18 yards for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead.
Late in the second quarter, the Rush was ahead 20-0 with the ball at Delaware's 36 on first-and-15. Jackson scrambled and launched a pass to wide receiver Bo Campbell. The pass was a few yards short and the defender got his hands on the ball. However, the deflection went right into the hands of Campbell and the Rush was on the board again - 27-0 at halftime.
Delaware got inside Roanoke's 20-yard twice in the first three quarters but couldn't get on the board until fullback Sean Anderson scored on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
Defensive lineman Alton Williams recovered a Rush fumble and returned it 44 yards for the touchdown to cut the deficit to 34-18. But Eddie Sloss scored on a 21-yard reception from Jackson on the next Rush possession to seal the victory.
The Rush now will have two weeks to prepare for its first-round playoff game on Nov. 4. Roanoke's season finale was scheduled for Oct. 28 but the team's opponent, the Carolina Stars, has forfeited the remainder of its schedule.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB