THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 22, 1994 TAG: 9406210164
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: 940622 LENGTH: Long
Salem finally knocked the door down, capturing a 14-8 come-from-behind victory over previously unbeaten Landstown at the Great Neck Middle School stadium.
{REST} A crowd of about 300 witnessed Salem foil Landstown's bid to repeat as city champions. It was the Lancers' lone loss in the last two seasons. Salem came into the game with a 5-1 record and left with a trophy.
The game featured two number 40s, both two-way players, both multitalented. Salem's Reco Clay left the field glowing in victory. Landstown's Arsha Gilchrist was tearful in defeat.
Salem was shut out in the first half by a Landstown defense that allowed only six points all season. The Sharks managed only one first down in the first half and that came on the opening drive of the game.
A slight drizzle and possible championship jitters may have contributed to fumbles and stalled offense early in the game.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Landstown took over at midfield to start the second quarter. Quarterback Charles Wilson completed a 19-yard pass to take the Lancers to Salem's 31-yard line. Two plays later, Wilson dropped back, looked to his left and found Gilchrist open on a post pattern.
Wilson threw a strike, Gilchrist caught the ball in stride and raced untouched into the end zone. Backup quarterback and punter Jason Brady passed to Johnson for the 2-point conversion for an 8-0 Landstown lead.
Salem coach Tim Eldredge later said that he didn't say anything special at halftime.
``We didn't yell at them, just told them to play their game. We did see some things we thought we could adjust to - take advantage of,'' Eldredge said.
One of the things Eldredge saw and his team took advantage of was Landstown's use of an eight-man front on defense. Eldredge's Sharks responded with the first of the two pivotal plays that turned the game around.
Salem started its first possession of the second half on its 30 yard line. Quarterback Mike Harrison passed to Clay for a 15-yard gain to the 45. Harrison then hit wide receiver Hunter Von Ryan with a perfect 20-yard strike.
Von Ryan had a step on the defender when he caught the ball and he didn't lose it. He streaked into the end zone to complete the 55-yard touchdown play. Kevin Miller kicked the extra point and Landstowns' lead was cut to 8-7.
Uncharacteristic errors proved to Landstown's undoing. Russell Douglas bobbled Salem's kickoff in the end zone and was tackled on the 9-yard line. The Lancers were called for a personal foul on their first offensive play and moved back to the 5-yard line.
On the second play, a Salem defensive end crashed through the line, caused a bad handoff and pounced on the resulting fumble on the 2-yard line.
Second big play.
Clay then ran off-tackle and into the end zone to give Salem the lead. Miller added the extra point.
Salem 14, Landstown 8.
The Lancers tried to pass their way back into the game in the fourth quarter. But a pass glanced off Gilchrist's hands and Clay intercepted at the Salem 28.
The Sharks attacked from the power-I to run the clock down. Clay carried the ball left and right and up the middle and over tacklers. Salem executed perfectly, and time ran out on Landstown's repeat effort with the ball on its 18-yard line and the Sharks driving.
Gilchrist stood quietly at midfield, helmet in hand, and watched Salem celebrate. Tears welled in his eyes.
Told how well he played by classmates and others, Gilchrist tried to smile.
``It's a tough way to lose,'' he said.
He will move on. He wants to play ``cornerback or running back, either one,'' he said.
Clay's smile was as big as Gilchrist's pain. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound eighth-grader said: ``I couldn't believe it,'' about the pass that slipped from Gilchrist's hands into his arms. ``I just wanted to not drop it.
``We've come a long way. It feels good to be champions.''
Eldredge stood at midfield in drenched shorts and T-shirt - the result of the obligatory water-cooler dumping.
``Landstown's a great ball club. We're grateful to get by them,'' he said. ``They beat us earlier, our only loss of the season. I'm so proud of our kids for coming back. They really sucked it up and didn't quit.''
Landstown coach Andre Vickers was disappointed about the loss. He said, ``You can't turn the ball over inside your own 5 and expect to win.''
He is optimistic about next season, though.
``It was our first loss in 13 games and it was supposed to be a rebuilding year,'' he said. ``We have five players returning, two of them starters. If we do as well in our rebuilding year next year, I'll be happy.''
by CNB