ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, August 31, 1996 TAG: 9609040017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: AMHERST
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
At first glance, it appears the Amherst County Lancers, the defending Group AA Division 4 football champions, have a good grasp of what it takes to be competitive at the Group AAA level.
Now if they can just grasp the football a bit more securely.
The Lancers opened a 22-point lead midway through the second quarter, then survived seven fumbles, four of which they lost, and two second-half touchdowns by William Fleming to post a 22-12 non-district victory Friday night in the opener for both schools.
``We don't have any quitters,'' said George Miller, Fleming's coach. ``We just never developed any consistency.''
Amherst amassed 298 rushing yards, as five backs ran for 30 or more yards. The team was led by senior tailback Cedric Ellis, who gained 90 yards on 11 carries, and senior halfback Camm Jackson, who rushed 13 times for 84 yards. Lancers quarterback Dante Christian attempted one pass - and it was intercepted by Fleming defensive back Richard Wilson.
The Colonels' offense rested almost entirely upon the churning legs of tailback Lee Suggs, who gained 167 rushing yards on 26 carries, and a pair of touchdown passes from senior quarterback Charles Burnette to junior wide receiver Doug Taborn.
``They're still the defending state champs - even if it was AA - and you don't come into the state champions' place and beat them by talking about it,'' Miller said. ``We just didn't play the way we're capable of playing.''
Amherst jumped out of the box quickly, moving 55 yards on five running plays on its opening drive. Jackson ran around right end from the 9-yard line for the touchdown.
After stopping Fleming on three consecutive possessions, Christian capped another five-play scoring drive, the touchdown coming on a 3-yard quarterback keeper. Ellis accounted for the 75-yard drive's biggest play, galloping 54 yards before Burnette caught him 6 yards from the end zone.
Amherst then scored again - in an unconventional fashion. Ellis' kickoff was a hard grounder, which ricocheted off the legs of an unsuspecting Fleming lineman - back into Ellis' hands. Another five running plays, another touchdown. Eddie Megginson raced the final 34 yards for the score, raising his right fist as he neared the goal line.
Because of Megginson's gesture, Amherst was penalized 15 yards for taunting. The penalty was assessed on the extra-point attempt, moving the ball to the 18-yard line. The Lancers scored on the conversion anyway as Ellis caught a short pass from Christian at the 15 and eluded several Fleming defenders.
``I'm really excited we were able to win,'' said Mickey Crouch, Amherst's coach. ``But Fleming never stopped. When they were down 22-0 they could have folded, but they didn't.''
Amherst appeared to tire late in the game, as 10 of its starters were playing both offense and defense. ``People might say it was our conditioning, but our problem tonight was fumbling seven times and snapping the ball over the punter's head,'' Crouch said.
Amherst meets another Roanoke Valley District opponent Sept.6, when Pulaski County travels 135 miles to meet the Lancers.
``That should be a whale of a game,'' Crouch said.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB