THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 22, 1994 TAG: 9410220453
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Two unlikely players became heroes Friday night as the Kempsville Chiefs knocked Tallwood High from the unbeaten ranks.
Reserve sophomore fullback Alex Lleces ran for 123 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown, and Nicole Frey booted a 23-yard field goal as the Chiefs won their sixth in a row, 17-0, in front of a capacity homecoming crowd of 4,200.
The victory left Kempsville in a tie for first in the Beach District with Green Run, a 34-9 winner over Cox. Both are 6-0 in the district and meet in the final game of the regular season Nov. 10.
``If we're not in the driver's seat, then there aren't many in the car with us,'' Kempsville coach John Bowles said.
While Tallwood came in sporting the area's top-ranked defense, it was Kempsville that flexed its defensive muscles, limiting the Lions (6-1, 5-1 in the district) to 20 yards total offense.
The Chiefs, 6-1 overall and ranked No. 5 in South Hampton Roads, rambled for 243 yards rushing behind the three-pronged attack of Lleces, Mike Pishioneri and Aaron Shock.
After a scoreless first half, Pishioneri bulled in from 5 yards out with 5:21 remaining in the third quarter. The touchdown was set up when Lleces went off right guard on a counter-trap play and raced 59 yards.
Lleces had just entered the game to give Shock, a two-way starter, a breather at fullback.
``Alex Lleces is a player,'' Pishioneri said. ``We just got to keep him healthy. Tallwood's got a good defense, but our line was excellent tonight.''
Particularly right guard Brandon Reed and right tackle Donald Scott. Lleces, who carried seven times, would later add a 35-yard run on a similar counter-trap, with Reed and Scott opening the hole again.
``When I saw all those people in the stands tonight, I just thought, `I hope I don't fumble and give anyone any reason to pick on me at school Monday,' '' said Lleces, who has been limited by a shoulder injury this season. ``On that first one I was just trying to find some daylight and not get clobbered.''
Fourth-ranked Tallwood, meanwhile, found the going a bit slippery for their speedy offense. The Kempsville field was still damp following Thursday night's rain and standout freshman tailback TaRon Anderson had troubles cutting on the soft turf. He was limited to 44 yards on 13 carries, his second-lowest total of the season.
With their rushing attack pinned down, Tallwood sophomore quarterback Gilbert Harris went to the air with no success. Inaccurate on his first four attempts, his last five were dropped by his receivers.
And Kempsville increased its pass rush, sacking Harris four times.
``We've got no excuses,'' said Lions linebacker/fullback John Vann. ``They executed better than we did. Hopefully we'll see them again.''
Again meaning in the playoffs, which is a possibility. Both teams are in line for at least wild-card Division 6 playoff berths, barring complete collapses.
The Chiefs added a 23-yard field goal by Frey, who joined the team four weeks ago, to take a 10-0 lead with 3:47 remaining.
``She was great tonight,'' Bowles said of Frey, who also upped her extra-point accuracy to 11-of-14 on the season. ``I think if conditions are right she can kick a 40-yarder. They weren't right tonight, but I think that would have been good from 35.''
After stopping the Lions' next desperation possession, Kempsville took over at Tallwood's 20-yard line with 1:30 left. Two plays later the Chiefs added their final points as Lleces broke up the middle with 33 seconds left. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by L. Todd Spencer, Staff
Tallwood quarterback Gilbert Harris and coach Ken Barto were unable
to solve the Kempsville defense.
by CNB