THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 8, 1994 TAG: 9410080455
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
The stats were right there in front of him, but Michael Basnight refused to take credit for his four touchdowns, 154 yards rushing and 7.7 yards per-carry average Friday night, which led Booker T. Washington to a 36-26 Eastern District win over Granby at Harbor Park.
``The offensive line did it all,'' Basnight said. ``It wasn't me, they did it.''
The Bookers' big front, led by Delvin Young, also provided quarterback Michael Beverly with enough protection to complete 5-of-12 for 105 yards and two touchdowns, including a 70-yard hookup with Basnight in the first quarter.
``Delvin Young is playing all-Tidewater football right now,'' Bookers coach Larry Stepney said. ``Our offensive line did a great job. I can't say enough about how they played.''
The Booker T. defensive line did its share by sacking Granby's Anthony King four times and keeping the pressure on him all night, but it wasn't enough to make the 5-9, 161-pound quarterback falter. King was an impressive 11-of-15 for 166 yards and three touchdowns to keep the Comets in the game to the end.
``You won't find a more elusive quarterback than King,'' Stepney said.
Granby took a 26-21 lead with 8:42 left in the game. Basnight was lined up for the Bookers' only punt of the night on his own 26, but the snap sailed over his head. He managed to tip the ball, but Granby's DeShawn Griffin grabbed the fumble and jumped into the end zone.
But on the ensuing possession, Granby's attempt to grab Basnight got the Comets nothing but a shredded jersey.
After rushing for 17 yards on three carries, Basnight's jersey was torn off and he had to leave the game momentarily. Swapping his No. 35 for No. 15, he returned and scampered up the middle for a 43-yard touchdown.
Beverly connected with Marlos Thomas for the two-point conversion and the Bookers, who sit alone atop the district at 2-0 and 4-1 overall, owned a 29-26 lead with 5:51 remaining.
It only took the Bookers three plays to get the ball back when Dennis Patterson intercepted King on the Granby 40.
Five plays later Basnight was in the end zone again when he capped the drive, which included rushes of 13 and 14 yards, with an 11-yard run to seal the win.
Granby, dropping its first district matchup of the season, fell to 3-3 overall.
``We wanted to come at them with short passes and little runs,'' head coach Dave Hudak said. ``It was effective, but we made some mistakes and you can't make mistakes.'' ILLUSTRATION: CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/Staff
Booker T. Washington's Delvin Young grabs Granby's Anthony King for
a loss. Despite the heat, King was 11-of-15 with three TDs.
by CNB