THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September, 2, 1994 TAG: 9408310158
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Julie Goodrich
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
Given the way the game started, that Atlantic Shores beat Isle of Wight, 20-13, in its varsity football opener on Saturday is a little bit of a miracle.
Before the first quarter was even a minute old, middle linebacker Nathan Oates collapsed on the field due to heat exhaustion and was taken away in an ambulance. One minute before the first quarter was over, another player, guard John Parr, also fainted in the sweltering afternoon sun. Both boys are fine.
But the loss of two starters and a 13-12 fourth-quarter deficit was not enough to knock the wind out of the Seahawks. Jonathon Keese, playing against doctors orders with bad knees, threw a block on an Isle of Wight defender that sprang running back D.J. Jordan loose for the go-ahead touchdown with 10:21 left to play.
Atlantic Shores drove down the field on its next possession and had the ball at the Chargers' 10 before downing the ball twice to end the game.
``I'm so pleased, because everyone did the best job they could,'' coach Mickey Toll said.
The Seahawks have returned to varsity play after a year's hiatus.
``We go by a simple philosophy - if we work hard, educate ourselves, and have faith . . . at that point it's out of our hands and the Lord will bless us.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
ABOVE: Isle of Wight quarterback Richard Spady tries to outrun
Atlantic Shores Christian defensive end M. Beers during Saturday's
game. Spady was caught and sacked on the play.
LEFT: Atlantic Shores' D.J. Jordan runs through a big hole while
Isle of Wight linebacker Van Williams watches helplessly. Jordan
scored the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.
by CNB