Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511280015
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PEARISBURG LENGTH: Short
In the process of whipping Lebanon 35-14 for the Group A Division 2 Region C championship, the Spartans lost defensive leader Brandon Steele with a twisted right knee. The results of an X-ray at Giles Memorial Hospital will not be known until Monday. Giles coach Steve Ragsdale was trying to arrange an appointment with an orthopedic specialist for Steele today, the coach said.
Steele's knee was the same one he had surgery on before the 1994 season. The 5-foot-10, 235-pound senior recovered sufficiently to have an All-Timesland season last year.
``It hurt worse today than when I did it then,'' said Steele, who was in clear misery while being assisted from the field in the second half of Saturday's game. ``They were chop blocking me low all game and finally, my foot was planted and didn't move when my body was twisting.''
Team doctor Brad Nicholson, who gave the knee a preliminary examination on the bench, gave Steele reason for hope.
``He told me that the knee felt stable and that with therapy, I might be able to play next week,'' Steele said. ``I hope so.''
Giles will play at Powell Valley in the state semifinals next Saturday. The Vikings hammered Haysi 55-30 Saturday.
``It doesn't look good,'' Ragsdale said. ``When your stud leaves on crutches, it never looks good.''
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB