ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 12, 1996 TAG: 9610150027
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
The first meeting between Blacksburg and Christiansburg high schools in the Blue Ridge District Friday night added new spark to an old rivalry. The game lived up to its billing, as Christiansburg escaped with a 22-21 win, its first in the Blue Ridge.
Blacksburg (2-4, 1-2) had a chance to win at the end. The Indians had a first-and-goal on the 5-yard-line with less than a minute to play. Two attempts by running back Michael Davis gained just three yards. On third-and-goal from the 2, quarterback Tommy Laforce fumbled the snap and Christiansburg's Eric Schmucker recovered in the end zone to seal the victory.
"I think we played our hearts out, both teams did," Blacksburg coach David Crist said. "I guess this one we just weren't supposed to win."
Leading Christiansburg (3-3, 1-2) 21-14 to open the fourth quarter, Blacksburg was plagued by numerous penalties. In a sloppy game that saw the teams combine for 15 infractions, the Indians were whistled twice for a delay of game on their opening fourth-quarter drive.
"Both of us had a lot of penalties, particularly in the third quarter," Crist said. "Each of us just got excited. I told our kids whichever one of us can settle down first would take control and they did. That's when they scored their touchdown."
Taking over at their own 20 with 7:43 to play, the Demons mounted a seven-play drive that ended with a 26-yard run by senior running back Mike Scott.
Trailing 21-20 with more than five minutes left, Demons coach Mike Cole opted to go for the tie. The kick by Matt Wright was good, but there was flag on the play as Blacksburg was called for interfering into the snapper. Christiansburg accepted the penalty and went for two.
Scott took it straight up the middle for the game-winning points.
"Mike can be a fantastic runner," Cole said. "When he is in his zone I don't know that's there is too many guys better. And I tell you what else, the offensive line did everything they had to do tonight to give us the win. They came through on some crucial plays."
The score was the third of the night for Scott, who broke free on an 80-yard scamper in the second quarter for the Demons' first touchdown and added a one-yard tally late in the second. Scott finished the night with a game-high 164 yards on 25 carries.
"I was real proud of our kids tonight," Cole said. "We got down 14-0 and battled back. Then got down again and we again battled back to the lead. The character the kids showed was tremendous."
Blacksburg jumped to the 14-0 lead behind the running of Davis, who ran for 149 yards on 31 carries and added a five-yard touchdown run.
Laforce was responsible for the second score, hitting Brandon Ragsdale in the right corner of the end zone on a nine-yard play. Laforce finished the game seven-for-15 for 106 yards, one interception and two touchdowns.
But what the Indians couldn't overcome was their own mistakes. Blacksburg fumbled the ball five times, coughing up three of those to Christiansburg, including the fumbled snap on its last offensive possession.
"We gad a golden opportunity there but the ticket didn't get cashed," Crist said. "But I was proud of our effort."
The schedule doesn't let up for either team, as both squads will hit the road for district contests next week. Blacksburg travels to Rockbridge County and Christiansburg heads to Lord Botetourt.
"I'm just happy to get our first district win," Cole said. "Let's hope we can keep it going."
see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB