THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 3, 1994 TAG: 9409030650
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
They say a quality defense is one that doesn't break.
If that's the case, Tallwood's unit showcased the kind of stuff that makes defenses famous in a 14-3 victory over Great Bridge Friday.
The Lions' defense bent, but never broke.
``Defense is the name of the game, baby,'' Tallwood coach Ken Barto said. ``Them boys can play.''
On paper, Tallwood was outplayed, with Great Bridge finishing with nearly 100 more yards of total offense and four more first downs. But the Lions had the big plays when they counted.
Tallwood stopped the Wildcats twice inside the Lions 5, got two big interceptions from Evan Derrick that killed drives and recovered a late fumble that all but ended the contest.
Tallwood, which took a 6-0 lead in the second quarter on a 7-yard run by Taron Anderson, cracked just once, on the first possession of the third quarter, when Great Bridge kicker Steve Weir closed the gap to 6-3 with a 25-yard field goal.
Even that score was a symbol of how good the Tallwood defense was playing.
``They tried it because they didn't feel they could move the ball in,'' Barto said. ``Our defensive unit considers this game a shutout.''
Great Bridge started the third quarter at its own 17 and got a 60-yard run from Tony Felton on the second play that put the Wildcats on the Tallwood 15. Derrick saved the touchdown by chasing Felton down from behind.
But a 4-yard gain, a fumble recovery that ended up netting three yards and a no-gainer on third and a long three halted the drive.
``Our offense did not execute tonight at all,'' he said. ``We didn't play sound football and we've got a lot to work on.''
After Great Bridge held Tallwood, the Lions got their second interception from Derrick.
Tallwood's insurance touchdown came on a two-yard run by Alvin Wilson with 1:22 left. The possession started when the Lions John Vann recovered a Michael Cuddyer fumble at the Great Bridge 38.
``Our offense really sputtered at times,'' Barto said. ``But they came through when they really had to. We had to get the ball in the end zone that time.''
Tallwood, when it was in trouble of its own, got some great punts out of first-year kicker Danny McVey - a select soccer player. McVey had three punts over 40 yards. by CNB