ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610220017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEITH POMPEY STAFF WRITER
ROANOKE TOPPED KNOXVILLE to earn the home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
John Miller titled his game-winning catch ``Redemption.''
That's because the Roanoke Rush wide receiver dropped a first-down pass in the National Minor League Football season finale against the Knoxville Crusaders on Saturday night.
``There was no way that I was going to let the pass get away,'' he said.
The 5-foot-9, 168-pounder was a man of his word, snaring a 21-yard touchdown pass to give the Rush a 12-6 overtime win at Victory Stadium.
``I just saw [the ball] coming and I saw the free safety, so that's when I dove, hoping to catch [the ball] in the end zone,'' Miller said. ``Winning the game makes me feel better about missing the earlier pass. Oh man, I want to thank God for this game.''
His teammates are also thankful. With the victory, Roanoke (9-1 overall, 8-1 South Atlantic Division) captured the 1996 divisional title and earned home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, which begin Oct.26.
The Rush's opponent will be announced later today. Meanwhile, the Crusaders (7-4, 6-4) have to wait for the results of other games to see if they make postseason play.
``The kids really came through this year,'' said coach Duke Strager, on Roanoke's first division title. ``We had an up-and-down season, with us not getting paid and a lot of the other stuff. But when the chips were down they came through.''
Neither team, however, seemed capable of making the playoffs Saturday night.
Knoxville committed five turnovers and was penalized 17 times for 135 yards. Roanoke was a little better with two turnovers and 12 penalties for 100 yards.
``I think we had a lot of penalties because we were a little bit too relaxed,'' said Roanoke quarterback Darren Graham, twho completed 2 of 11 passes for 43 yards and two scores. ``[The Crusaders] were a tough team and your mind can't wander against a team like that. But we made the big play when we needed to.''
Roanoke took a 6-0 lead when T.J. Jackson caught a 22-yard TD pass from Graham with 8:59 left in the first half.
Knoxville answered on running back Eric Claridy's 3-yard touchdown run, making it 6-6 with 5:40 left in regulation.
After neither team moved the ball the rest of the half, Miller's catch made it 12-6 in overtime.
``That was a heck of a catch,'' Graham said.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB