ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 14, 1996 TAG: 9609170024
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEITH POMPEY STAFF WRITER
On paper, Friday night's high school football game between William Byrd and Glenvar was nothing but an early season non-district matchup.
That's because the Terriers are a Group AA power. The Highlanders are a Group A squad. And they'll never meet in the playoffs.
But to both team's seniors this was one of the biggest games of the year. William Byrd's 12th-graders wanted to end their scholastic careers 4-0 against Glenvar. And the Highlanders wanted to beat them before they graduated.
Unfortunately for Glenvar, some things don't change. The Terriers (2-1) won 30-7 at Highlander Field.
``It feels great to come out to play Glenvar and always win,'' said Frank English, William Byrd's senior quarterback. ``I knew we were going to win. After losing to us three years in a row, they don't believe they can win.''
That might be true.
Despite the score, Glenvar (1-2) had numerous opportunities to win. But five costly turnovers proved to be the difference.
``Mistakes on offense took us out of the game,'' said Brian Hooker, Glenvar's coach. ``Just about every time we turned the ball over, they went down and put points on the board. We were trying to play aggressive. Then all of a sudden, we would make mistakes. And that was the difference in the game. But we will rebound and do better next year.''
Not if O.J. Thomason has a say.
The 5-foot-7, 181-pound William Byrd freshman running back looks to continue the win streak. He rushed 16 times for a game-high 110 yards and a touchdown.
But heading into the game, Hooker said his ball-control offense would limit Thomason to a spectator.
His plan worked for about four plays. That's when the Highlanders fumbled the ball on the Terriers 45-yard line.
William Byrd took advantage. Eight plays later English, who had 123 total yards, scored from 5 yards out. Chris Dowdy's extra point gave the Terriers a 7-0 lead with 6:14 left in the first quarter.
Glenvar seemed headed for a touchdown of its own. However, the drive was stopped when sophomore quarterback Seth Noonkester threw an interception.
After both teams failed to move the ball on their next series, Glenvar scored its only touchdown of the game. Noonkester, who was 9-for-24 passing with 133 yards and two interceptions, hit Kevin Solesbee for a 38-yard score. Solesbee's extra-point tied the score 7-7 with 3:52 left in the half.
William Byrd scored a touchdown and a field goal in less than three minutes, taking a 17-7 halftime lead.
Neither team could do anything in the third quarter. But the fourth quarter was all Terriers.
With Glenvar trying to make a comeback, English, who also plays defense, intercepted Noonkester.
``I played the receiver to the flat,'' said English. ``The quarterback thought he was open. I broke on the ball and the rest was all end zone.''
Dowdy's extra point gave the Terriers a 24-7 lead with 6:30 left. And Thomason made it 30-7 three minutes later when he scored on a 12-yard run.
``That touchdown felt great,'' said the tailback of his first varsity score. ``I have just accomplished something that I always wanted to accomplish.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 64 linesby CNB