ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 26, 1996 TAG: 9610280138
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Patrick Henry ran into the ides of Jerry Little and Franklin County homecoming Friday.
The Eagles, playing their second game since relieving Horace Green of his head coaching duties, pulled one of the year's big shockers by rolling up the Patriots 38-22 in a Roanoke Valley District football game.
It was the second game for Little as the Franklin County coach, but his third against PH's Ed Scott. Little's teams when he coached at Cave Spring in the early '90s beat Scott's PH club twice. Then Little left to become Franklin County's athletic director in January 1992.
He was named the Franklin County interim coach 10 days ago.
This was Franklin County's first victory against PH since homecoming 1990. Oddly, it was also homecoming this year.
``The kids did a great job. What an effort,'' said Little.
The Eagles offense mixed it up all night and kept the Patriots (6-2 overall, 1-1 RVD) off balance.
``You have to do that. They're too good to let them know what you are going to do,'' said Little.
Franklin County quarterback Bobby Basham threw two touchdown passes and ran for the Eagles' last score with little over a minute left. Just before his run he had connected with Travis Kent on a 16-yard scoring strike that gave Franklin County (3-6, 1-2) a 31-22 lead with 3:36 left.
``I had all the time and the receivers were open,'' said Basham. ``We've always had a high-powered offense. We just hadn't put it together until tonight.
``After that touchdown pass [to Kent] I pretty much thought it was over. After my touchdown, I knew it was over.''
The Eagles defense also stood tall by intercepting five passes from two PH quarterbacks and containing the Patriots in the second half. The only score for PH after intermission came on a safety when Tiran Stewart tackled Franklin County's Henry Eggleston in the end zone after Boo Battle punted the ball to the Eagles' 4.
PH's Shaun Akers and James Hickenbotham rushed for 205 yards between them. However, they were never able to get the big runs and dominate the game as they had against so many other teams.
The first half was wild as Franklin County used a no-huddle offense, reverses and onside kickoffs against the Patriots.
PH nearly self-destructed in the first quarter with three fumbles, one that was lost, and a pass interception. Despite all this, the Patriots led 14-10 as Dennis Dunnaville scored from the 4 and Akers from the 13. One PH score was set up by an odd onside kick by the Eagles following a 40-yard field goal by Matt Maxey to give Franklin County a 3-0 lead.
The kickoff didn't travel 10 yards, but bounced back toward the Eagles, with PH eventually taking over at the Franklin County 23. Akers scored two plays later.
Patrick Henry led 14-3 after Battle got 42 yards on two running plays to set up Dunnaville's touchdown.
However, the Eagles scored the next three touchdowns. First Brad Jordan scored on a 25-yard run to make it 14-10.
Following a PH punt, Basham uncorked a 57-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Gibson that put the Eagles ahead for good 17-14.
After holding the Patriots, Franklin County marched 53 yards with Travis Ferguson scoring from the 7.
The Patriots' only long drive of the game was a quick 73-yard march that Akers capped with a touchdown run from the 28. However, Kent blocked the extra-point try, leaving the Eagles with a four-point margin. see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 1. ERIC BRADY STAFF James Hickenbotham (22) of Patrickby CNBHenry looks for running room as teammate Justin Crawford (62) tries
to get a block on Franklin County defender Steve Furrow. color
2. ERIC BRADY STAFF Brandon Smith of Franklin County picks up
yardage against Patrick Henry. color