Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 28, 1995 TAG: 9510300090
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WADE KENDRICK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DALEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
With Michael Berry as the Terriers' primary pass-catching threat, Anderson has had to take a back seat to Timesland's third-leading receiver.
But Friday night, Berry had to share the spotlight.
Anderson, a 5-foot-7, 130-pound senior, snared two touchdown passes to lead Byrd to a 31-8 victory over Lord Botetourt in the Blue Ridge District to keep the Terriers' playoff hopes alive.
``They figured they could double-team Michael and shut down our passing game, but David stepped up big tonight with the two touchdowns,'' said Frank English, William Byrd's quarterback.
For the second consecutive week, the Cavaliers found themselves in a hole early when English faked a dive play to Daniel Wagner and scampered 65 yards to score on the Terriers' first play from scrimmage.
``We pulled a guard who kicked out their defensive end, and that left the turn wide open,'' English said.
``Another bad start for us - one play and one touchdown,'' said coach Andy Ward, whose Cavaliers were coming off a 38-0 loss to Northside on Oct.20.
To add to Botetourt's woes, Wesley Cox, Timesland's fifth-leading rusher, pulled a hamstring while attempting to run down English on the play. Cox remained in the game and rushed for 195 yards, including a 95-yard touchdown in the closing minutes, but was limping noticeably.
``I felt something pull while trying to catch their quarterback. After that I could run straight, but I couldn't cut on it,'' Cox said.
After the Cavaliers stopped Botetourt on the ensuing possession, Berry turned in two outstanding plays that triggered an 87-yard drive culminating in Anderson's first touchdown.
First, Berry, in punt formation, was able to avoid a heavy rush and elected to run on fourth down. Not only did Berry pick up the needed yardage for the first down, but three plays later he snagged a 42-yard pass to the Cavaliers' 31-yard line. Five plays later, English drilled a 20-yard strike to Anderson in the end zone.
``They were doubling up on Michael and that left me wide-open,'' Anderson said, explaining the play. ``Frank was able to read me open in the end zone.''
Berry's 31-yard field goal with 3:15 left in the first half gave Byrd (7-1 overall, 3-1 district) a 17-0 lead.
The Terriers, rebounding nicely from a 35-3 loss to Salem on Oct.20, picked up the pace to open the second half.
English capped a 54-yard scoring drive with a 25-yard run to open the third quarter. After stopping the Cavaliers on fourth down at Byrd's 25, the Terriers drove 75 yards with English passing to Anderson for the final 30 yards.
``I didn't know how we would react tonight after losing last week,'' said Jeff Highfill, Byrd's coach. ``We needed to put that game behind us and focus on this game.
``I thought we sputtered a bit in the first half. After we scored on the first play, we sort of said to ourselves, `No problem.'''
With two games remaining, Highfill has one eye on the Group AA Division 4 playoff picture.
``We're rated fourth right now under the current point system, and they'll take the top four teams,'' he said. ``If we win out, I'm pretty sure we'll be there.''
The loss left Botetourt 1-7 overall and 1-3 in the district.
NOTE: Please see micorfilm for scores.
by CNB