THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 26, 1994 TAG: 9411260201
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
All week long the talk centered on Hampton freshman quarterback Ronald Curry. But in the end, it was Curry's counterpart at Deep Creek who stole the show.
In a bit of last-second heroics worthy of any seasoned veteran, sophomore signal caller Arnie Powell stole the show by directing a 43-second, five-play drive that gave the Hornets a thrilling 48-42 win over the Crabbers in the Division 5 Eastern Region championship.
``(Before the drive) I told him that in the 11 games up until now, he had done only what he had to do to get the job done,'' Deep Creek coach Jerry Carter said. ``But this . . . this was his time to shine.''
Powell did more than shine - he eclipsed all expectations during a drive that may go down as the finest in Deep Creek history.
Starting at his own 41 and trailing 42-41, Powell connected with Jason Waters for a 24-yard completion to the Hampton 39. With 36 seconds left, Powell found Dee Harrell for a 23-yard gain that put the Hornets within kicker Joe Verdi's field goal range.
But Powell wanted to go for the jugular.
After an incompletion and a quarterback sack pushed Deep Creek back to the 22, Powell found himself with 9 seconds left on the clock. After the snap, Powell stayed in the pocket for what seemed like an eternity until he spotted a Hornets receiver making a break for the right corner of the end zone.
Powell threw into the end zone and Harrell made a diving grab for the winning touchdown.
``I was looking for Dee all the way,'' Powell said. ``I knew we were going to come out and throw on that drive, but I didn't really feel any pressure because I know we have good receivers.''
Powell finished with six completions for 185 yards, an average of nearly 31 yards per catch.
Powell also came up big as the first half was dwindling down. With Deep Creek trailing 20-14, Powell took the snap from his own 42. He rolled out of the pocket and spotted Waters blazing down the field.
Waters split the defense, and Powell laid a touch pass on his fingertips for the go-ahead touchdown with 47 seconds in the half.
And as for Curry, who finished with 13 completions for 222 yards?
``I know him from summer basketball, so I know he's a good athlete,'' Powell said. ``I feel bad for him, because I know it doesn't feel good to lose.''
But happily for Deep Creek, at 12-0 as a starter, Powell doesn't know that feeling at all. by CNB