THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 11, 1994 TAG: 9411090134
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY DAN COOLEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
DEEP CREEK entered the final game of the Chesapeake Middle School League football season with a 4-0 record. The only thing standing between the Hornets and an undefeated season was defending CMSL co-champion Indian River.
Not an easy assignment for Deep Creek coach Gene Babb and his players.
After using the first quarter to get a feel for their opponent, the Hornets scored two touchdowns in the final minute of the second quarter and made them stand up to end for a 12-0 win over the Braves.
``We had a string of five undefeated teams in a row at one time, but this championship means more to me,'' said Babb. ``It's been three years since we last won a championship, and this is one of the best groups of kids I have ever coached.''
Although the Braves (2-3) did not figure in the title chase this year, their game against Deep Creek had all the markings of a winner-take-all championship - hard hits, stingy defense, and tense sidelines. It was the stiffest challenge the Hornets faced in their five-game schedule.
``You've got to take your hat off to Indian River,'' said Babb. ``(This game) was a real struggle for us. Physically, they may have been the best team we played. They moved the ball better than anyone we faced.''
From the opening whistle, Indian River's defense kept the usually explosive Deep Creek running attack bottled up. On their first two possessions, the Hornets' drives ended in a punt and a lost fumble.
Luckily, Deep Creek's defense was equally restless, holding the Braves to just one first down in the first half.
It was three big running plays, two by Danny Walton, that gave Deep Creek the edge.
Facing second-and-9 on his own 38, Walton took the ball for the first time and broke loose for a 54-yard gain on an end reverse to give Deep Creek first and goal at the Indian River 8.
The Hornets' drive stalled. On fourth down, Myron Hodge got the ball and appeared to be stopped short of the end zone. But with a tremendous second effort, Hodge twisted forward and extended the ball over the goal line for the first touchdown of the game.
Deep Creek recovered an Indian River fumble on the ensuing kickoff and wasted little time taking advantage of the Braves' mistake.
On the last play of the first half and the ball on the Indian River 34, Walton broke loose on another end reverse. Walton appeared to be stopped around the 15 as four Braves lined up for the tackle. Somehow Walton skittered around and through the defense, speeding into the end zone for the touchdown.
``Walton is one of the best backs I have ever coached,'' said Babb. ``He has great vision and a strong sense of where the end zone is.''
Instead of wearing his usual number 24, Walton suited up in number 39 in hopes of tricking Indian River. Babb said he knew the Braves would be keying on number 24, and that's why he made the switch.
Walton switched back to his familiar number 24 in the second half and finished with 98 yards on six carries.
Despite the Hornets' 12-0 lead at halftime, Indian River gave Deep Creek fits in the second half by moving the ball effectively.
Taking the ball on their own 38 after a partially blocked punt, the Braves threatened to cut into the Deep Creek lead with a first down on the Hornets' 22. But after rushing for 34 yards of the 40-yard drive, Deon Peele coughed up the ball after a bone-jarring hit.
Deep Creek defensive tackle Antoine Butts recovered the fumble to stop the threat.
According to Indian River coach Wiley Lee, giving up the two big running plays and losing key fumbles was indicative of the Braves' season.
``We just mentally let down in certain spots . . . but there are no sour feelings here,'' he said. ``I couldn't be happier than to turn over (the CMSL title) to Deep Creek. They played a great game and they deserved it.''
In other season finales, Western Branch (4-1) defeated Great Bridge (3-2) 24-20 to secure second place in the CMSL. Oscar Smith (1-4) topped Crestwood (0-5). ILLUSTRATION: Photos by L. TODD SPENCER
On the last play of the first half, Deep Creek's Danny Walton, left,
skittered around Indian River's defense and into the end zone for a
touchdown.
Deep Creek coach Gene Babb, left, backs away as Terrell Ricks tries
to administer the victory water treatment after the championship
game.
by CNB