Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 22, 1995 TAG: 9510230133
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In the quarter-century that Cave Spring and Patrick Henry have played football, the Patriots have dominated this southwest Roanoke rivalry.
PH has won 75 percent of the time.
The Patriots have posted seven shutouts.
Cave Spring has managed more than two touchdowns just twice.
So when Cave Spring starting quarterback Jeff Lang was suspended for this year's contest, and the Knights offense turned over the ball four times Saturday afternoon, the game's outcome was almost predictable.
Almost.
Sophomore quarterback Corey Paxton, making his first varsity start, guided the Knights to a last-minute touchdown and a 14-7 victory at Cave Spring Stadium. The game was postponed from Friday night because of inclement weather.
The victory raised the Knights' season record to 6-1 (1-1 in the Roanoke Valley District), and assured the team of back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1979-80. Cave Spring has not won seven games in one autumn since 1982.
PH now stands 3-4, 0-1.
``Corey did a super job stepping up,'' Knights coach Steve Spangler said. ``He got thrown into a situation that would be tough for any quarterback. He made some great choices out there.
``We still can win the Roanoke Valley District,'' Spangler said.
Lang was ejected from last week's Franklin County loss after receiving two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The ejection carried an additional one-game suspension with it.
Paxton completed eight of 13 passes (including his final five) for 82 yards. Most impressive, however, was the Knights' last drive, moving 48 yards in an eight-play, four-minute march. The drive culminated with a Josh Dowdy 1-yard plunge with 27 seconds remaining.
Paxton was 3-for-3 on the final series, completing passes to Nathan Manning, Billy Frantz and Darnell Glover. With less than two minutes to play, Glover picked up 17 yards on a third-and-eight delayed screen call that required Paxton to hold the ball until the defensive line was just about to hit him.
Although the score was tied for much of the game, Cave Spring easily won the statistical battle. The Knights held PH to five first downs and 50 yards rushing on 33 carries (a 1.5-yard average). Cave Spring running back Jason Fox gained 82 yards and one touchdown rushing, 68 yards coming in the first half.
Fox has scored six touchdowns this season and has gained more than 600 yards on the ground.
But Cave Spring turnovers kept Saturday's game close. Paxton was intercepted in the end zone late in the first half, and the Knights also lost three fumbles, two times inside the Patriots' 20.
``Turnovers can kill you,'' Spangler said. ``Fortunately our defense did a heckuva job.''
Patrick Henry's only sustained drive came early in the third period, when the Knights' Manning lost a fumble on an inside reverse on his 37-yard line.
PH fullback Dan Ankoma then did the brunt of the running, carrying five times on the drive, and scored from 2 yards out at the 6:10 mark.
The Patriots made a valiant effort to score again in the game's final seconds.
James Hickenbotham returned Jud Poulter's kickoff to his own 45-yard line. After an incompletion, PH quarterback Dennis Dunnaville found receiver Nick Saunders across the middle for a 17-yard gain to the Knights 38 with two seconds left.
On the final play, Cave Spring lineman Matt Berger hit Dunnaville just as he was about to pass, and the ball floated harmlessly to the ground.
Cave Spring's homecoming parade and other related festivities were postponed until next week's clash with William Fleming.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB