ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 14, 1996 TAG: 9609170029
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Sometimes the best plays are the old ones.
Halifax County coach Larry Smith pulled out an oldie-but-goody Friday at Victory Stadium to get his Comets going as they held off William Fleming 24-21 for a non-district football victory.
The Colonels' defense had halted Halifax County in the first half. When Fleming dropped Michael Chappell for a loss of six yards on the second play of the third quarter, Smith pulled out his halfback pass.
Diante Medley made it work as he hit a wide open Greg Wilson for a 59-yard touchdown pass that tied the game 7-7 with 10:08 left in the third quarter, giving a jump-start to both offenses.
When the game ended, both teams had scored two more touchdowns, but the difference was a 48-yard field goal by Halifax County's Jeremy Kerley with 5:55 left to break a 24-24 tie.
``We hadn't used that halfback pass in 10 years,'' said Smith. ``But Fleming had been coming up on the corner all night. They knew they had to take our sweep away, so their safety probably couldn't get our man [Wilson] over there.
``In the first half, we couldn't throw it at all. I know we have to get more perfection in our passing game.''
Fleming had the only score to that point on a defensive play in the first half. Halifax County's Carlos Jackson was about to pitch on the option when the Colonels' Josh Taylor hit his arm, knocking the ball loose. Defensive back Charles Burnette was waiting for the ball and it resulted in a 52-yard touchdown fumble recovery.
``I picked it up and knew I had to go with it,'' said Burnette.
In the second half, Burnette passed for 102 yards, with 63 going to Richard Wilson. Fleming's other offense came from running back Demare Gill, who took over for injured Lee Suggs, the Timesland Sizzlin' Sophomore offensive player of the year last fall. Gill rushed for 119 yards and scored the Colonels' last two touchdowns.
After Halifax County tied the score, the Comets (2-0) scored on their next possession as William Ballou carried 44 yards from midfield to set up a 1-yard plunge by Michael Chappell to make it 14-7.
Fleming (1-2) was far from finished. Burnette burned the Comets with a 41-yard pass to Wilson and Gill scored from the 4. However, Tito Stone's extra point was blocked, leaving the Colonels down by a point.
Fleming's defense held, though, and the Colonels marched 53 yards with Burnette's passing sparking the drive. Gill scored from the 1 with 29 seconds left in the third quarter for a 21-14 lead.
``In the second half, I was more patient. I was getting good blocking from the line and I felt more comfortable,'' said Burnette.
Halifax County tied the score on its next series, going 56 yards on the ground. With third down at the 6, Jackson threw a screen to Chappell who scored for the tie.
Burnette, scrambling on Fleming's next drive, fumbled to the Comets at the Colonels' 40. However, Fleming's defense stiffened and forced a fourth down when Kerley came in to hit the winning field goal.
``It's the longest one he's made, but he's hit some that are longer in practice,'' said Smith.
This ended a frustrating evening for Fleming coach George Miller, who had hoped to have Suggs back from a sprained ankle. He's supposed to return for E.C. Glass next week.
``Anytime you have to look for a sub to go in, it's hard. But don't take anything away from those guys [Halifax County]. They played a great game. We didn't get tired [on defense]. They just outplayed us.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 linesby CNB