ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 09, 1996 football TAG: 9611110119
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEITH POMPEY STAFF WRITER
Three weeks ago, the Patrick Henry High School football team laughed at the thought of playing archrival William Fleming. However, the Patriots walked out of Victory Stadium crying Friday night.
That's because the Colonels, who were supposed to provide an easy victory for the Patriots, defeated PH 19-9 and knocked it out of contention for the Northwest Region Division 6 playoffs.
``I'm very disappointed,'' said coach Ed Scott, whose Patriots lost their final three game of the season to finish 6-4 overall and 1-3 in the Roanoke Valley District. ``We haven't fought for three weeks. I thought that we would against Fleming, but we just didn't play well. I don't know what went wrong.''
What went wrong was PH couldn't find a way to contain the Colonels' offense. Fleming (5-5, 3-1) amassed 349 yards, had 17 first downs and only punted the ball three times.
``These guys are definitely deserving of this victory,'' said coach George Miller, whose Colonels finished their season with three consecutive victories. ``We have overcome a lot of adversity this season. But they finished the last three games with a lot of class.''
Leading the way were Lee Suggs and Charles Burnette.
Suggs, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound All-Timesland tailback, carried the ball 30 times for a game-high 201 yards and a touchdown.
``I knew I was going to get a lot of yards this game,'' said Suggs, who was Timesland's Sizzlin' Sophomore Offensive Player of the Year in 1995. ``The line was blocking and everybody on offense was giving 100 percent. I just felt like something was going to happen.''
Meanwhile, Burnette, who plays quarterback and defensive back, had an interception, three pass deflections, a touchdown pass and 84 all-purpose yards.
But early on, it looked as if the Colonels might let this victory slip away.
Fleming fullback J.R. Word fumbled the ball at the Fleming 22-yard line.
PH took advantage. Five plays later, Gouss Joseph's 25-yard field goal gave the Patriots a 3-0 lead with 4:34 left in the first quarter.
With 7:19 left in the half, Suggs lost the ball on the PH 2-yard line. Three minutes later, Richard Wilson's 28-yard touchdown reception was wiped out by a clipping penalty.
But Fleming quickly regrouped as Suggs rushed for a 16-yard touchdown, putting his team in front 6-3 with 5:21 left in the half.
The Colonels increased their lead to nine points when Burnette hit Word for a 6-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
After both teams were unable to move the ball, PH mounted a comeback.
Patriots tailback James Hickenbotham scampered 72 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, making it 12-9 Fleming.
But the Colonels responded when tight end Josh Taylor scored on a 16-yard end around. After Taylor kicked the extra point, Fleming led 19-9.
``It feels good to beat them,'' said Colonels nose guard Derrick Ruben. ``They have been walking around Valley View Mall all week talking about how they were going to beat us three times in a row. Now we are going to go to the mall and brag. We can walk around bragging about how we knocked them out of the playoffs.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY\Staff. 1. PH's James Hickenbotham breaksby CNBloose for some of his 124 yards rushing Friday. color. 2. William
Fleming running back Frank Jones (36) is brought down by Patrick
Henry defenders including Paul Veras (44).