ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 26, 1996 TAG: 9610280140
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: DALEVILLE
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
For the first half of the Lord Botetourt-Rockbridge County football game Friday night, the opposing offenses were advancing the ball like NFL contenders.
Seven combined touchdowns, nearly 300 yards rushing and better than 60 percent on passing completions (a combined 13 of 24 for 202 yards with no interceptions) was the story of the first half.
In the second half, Botetourt continued its ways, but Rockbridge was unable to maintain the pace.
Lord Botetourt prevailed 43-22 in this Blue Ridge District matchup, improving its record to 7-1 overall, 4-1 in the district, and remains in a tie for the district lead.
The Wildcats are now 4-4 overall, 2-3 in district play.
The Cavaliers were again led by running back Wesley Cox, who rolled up 300 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries.
``This was his last home game, and we wanted him to get 30 carries,'' Botetourt coach Andy Ward said. ``We wanted him to get enough carries to contain their defense.''
Mission accomplished.
``This wasn't one of my best games because we wanted to shut them out, and they ended up with 22 points,'' said Cox, who played both offense and defense.
Rockbridge jumped out to an early 8-0 lead when sophomore Clay Hobson took the opening kickoff in his own end zone and bolted 100 yards to the astonishment of everyone. The Wildcats then faked a kick and scored a two-point conversion.
The teams traded touchdowns throughout the first half, and when Rockbridge parlayed a roughing the passer penalty into a touchdown with 28 seconds left in the half, it appeared the score would be 22-22 at intermission.
But Botetourt put together a two-play, 56-yard drive for what turned out to be the decisive score. Cox rambled for 28 yards, and then Botetourt quarterback Seth Myers, who finished the night 8-for-16 for 139 yards, found Chad Farmer for a touchdown pass.
``We made a few defensive adjustments at halftime,'' Ward said. ``I told our team we didn't want to get in a shootout with them.'' Rockbridge County made just two first downs in the second half and did not score again.
Wildcats junior quarterback Travis Clark was particularly sharp in the first half, and passed for 145 yards in the game, but was repeatedly sacked in the second half, as Botetourt contained his receivers.
The Cavaliers' passing game was led by Jeremy Conner, who caught six passes for 107 yards.
Hobson finished with 123 yards rushing for Rockbridge, 93 of them in the first two quarters. John McCoy snared five receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown.
see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 60 linesby CNB