ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 19, 1996 TAG: 9610210124
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: DALEVILLE
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
MEMO: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
WESLEY COX scores three touchdowns as the Cavaliers cruise past Christiansburg.
It was homecoming at Lord Botetourt High School on Friday night, and the storybook script for the home team called for a huge crowd, idyllic weather and a big rout of the visitors.
The conditions were lousy and attendance was sparse. But if the Cavaliers had to settle for one out of three, they achieved the one that counted most.
Lord Botetourt crushed Christiansburg 40-12 in a Blue Ridge District matchup. The win lifted the Cavaliers' record to 6-1 overall, 3-1 in the district. The Blue Demons fell to 3-4, 1-3.
``I thought we played really well,'' said Andy Ward, the Cavaliers' coach. ``Our offensive and defensive lines controlled the line of scrimmage. And even though it was windy, our passing game was successful, and that opened up our running game.''
Botetourt running back Wesley Cox once again amassed some staggering numbers: 24 carries for 198 yards and three touchdowns.
But Cox also received support from quarterback Seth Myers, who gained 64 yards on a scramble on the third play of the game to set up the first touchdown for the Cavaliers (6-1 overall, 3-1 district).
Myers also completed three of six passes for 120 yards. All three completions were to wide receiver Jeremy Conner, whose gaudy 40-yards-per-reception average was aided by a 62-yard touchdown strike late in the game.
Conner also caught two of Christiansburg quarterback Matt Wright's passes, snuffing one Blue Demons drive in the end zone.
Christiansburg dug itself a hole quickly, falling behind 20-0 on the first play of the second quarter. The Blue Demons were unable to sustain any offense in the first half and trailed 26-0.
In the third quarter, Christiansburg's Eric Schmucker found a seam in the Cavaliers' defense and raced 44 yards for a touchdown, but Botetourt responded with its own drive late in the period, and when Conner caught the bomb from Myers behind the Demon defense, the game was settled.
Christiansburg managed a second score in the final period when Botetourt was pinned deep in its own territory with reserves in the lineup.
Backup quarterback Keith Anderson fumbled the snap near his goal line, and the Demons' Mitch Price recovered the ball in the end zone.
Gusty winds were a factor throughout the game. Botetourt fumbled the ball five times, losing four of them. Several extra-point attempts were unsuccessful, and Christiansburg's Wright unleashed a wind-aided 59-yard punt.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB