ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 21, 1996 TAG: 9609230123
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: BILL RAY STAFF WRITER
One of the New River Valley's most heated rivalries fired up again Friday night as Radford and Christiansburg met for the first time in three years. Tailback Mike Scott's legs carried the Blue Demons to a 37-25 non-district victory over the visiting Bobcats.
``It was my last homecoming and my last shot at Radford,'' said Scott, who gained 216 yards on 26 carries. ``I came out fired up and wanted to get at them.''
Scott opened the evening's scoring with a 1-yard dive, the first of his two touchdowns on the night, with 7 minutes and 10 seconds remaining in the opening quarter, giving Christiansburg an early 7-0 lead.
The Blue Demons tacked on a Chris Epperly field goal and a Scottie Brubeck touchdown reception to open up a 17-0 lead with nine minutes remaining in the first half.
Just when it appeared as if Christiansburg might run and hide, Radford's offense began to click as quarterback Adam Artrip took to the air, leading the Bobcats back into the contest.
Radford scored 10 points before the half on a Benjy Fry field goal and a 2-yard scamper by tailback Marlon Wesley, cutting the deficit to 17-10.
``I told my guys that we made some mistakes that let them back into the game,'' Christiansburg head coach Mike Cole said. ``Radford has a lot of offensive weapons. [Radford coach] Norm Lineburg is one of the best offensive minds in the state.''
Only 1:18 into the second half, Radford tied the game when Mike Dunbar scored on a 6-yard run off the left side of the line.
But turnovers proved costly to the Bobcats as Brubeck stepped in front of an Artrip pass for an interception, setting up an Eric Beasley 2-yard touchdown. The touchdown gave the Blue Demons a precarious 24-17 lead with 11:56 left.
On the ensuing kickoff, Shawn Cassell's fumble gave Christiansburg the ball back, setting up an Eric Schmucker touchdown.
With time running out and the Blue Demons in a third and four situation, Scott came through again with a 22-yard run to take the Bobcats out of the game for good.
``We are a young team that is going to win some games,'' Lineburg said. ``I am just glad to see them back on our schedule.'' see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB