THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 15, 1994 TAG: 9410150383
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
When Salem football coach Billy McTyre was asked whether he wanted to play in Friday's torrent of wind and rain, there was never any doubt.
Last year, such conditions got hold of Bayside and Lake Taylor and the Sun Devils showered off the mud having taken upset wins.
Against Green Run Friday, the scenario nearly repeated itself.
Despite controlling the game, the Stallions were unable to put the ball in the end zone, but somehow managed to escape with a 2-0 victory.
That's right, 2-0.
The entire game came down to a six-minute segment of the third and fourth quarters.
Top-ranked Green Run (6-0 overall, 5-0 in the Beach District) set up a drive with Plaxico Burress' block of an Eddie McDonald punt, and the Stallions took possession at the Salem 37.
In four plays, Green Run earned a first and goal at the Salem 2, but managed only to go backwards. Facing a fourth and nine, backup quarterback Edward Cuffee lobbed a pass to Burress who was covered by three defenders. He appeared to slip, but the near official threw a flag for interference and Green Run was awarded a first and goal from the 4. Cedric Warren took a handoff up the middle, but fumbled. Salem recovered at the 1.
The Sun Devils (1-5, 1-4) got to their 5 in two plays, before a quarterback Jeff Bates, on a botched play, scrambled and was sacked in the end zone by Antonyio Artis and two more Green Run defenders.
From there on out, neither team was able to move the ball with any effectiveness.
Considering the conditions - ankle-deep mud, a steady rain and winds of about 25 mph with gusts - Green Run coach Elisha ``Cadillac'' Harris wasn't too upset about the fact that his team failed to register a touchdown.
``That's right, but the most important thing was to win the football game and that's what we managed to do,'' he said. ``We told our team before the game that this would be a game of who could run the football and who would not have the most turnovers.''
Green Run was clearly the better running team, rushing for 204 yards on 52 attempts - with fullback Larry Jordan leading the way with 137 yards on 22 carries.
And despite fumbling the ball seven times, Green Run only gave up the ball once.
Salem had one fumble loss, but managed only 37 yards on 26 attempts. by CNB