THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 27, 1994 TAG: 9411270224
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
For a football player who wasn't even much of a factor on Nansemond River's junior varsity, Anthony Jones is sure making an impact on the Warrior varsity's run toward a Group AA state title.
The 6-4, 195-pound receiver, who began the year on the JV but missed most of the campaign with an injury, made key receptions on both Nansemond River scoring drives as the Warriors held off York, 10-6, for their second straight Group AA Region I title Saturday at Nansemond River.
Jones, who had a clutch catch in last week's playoff victory over Greensville, also filled in at outside linebacker Saturday.
``My team needs me,'' Jones said. ``I have to step up.''
Late in the first half, Jones and Porter hooked up on a quick slant over the middle for a 17-yard gain. The play helped the Warriors get kicker Drey Asbell in range for a 35-yard field goal with 29 seconds remaining in the half, which cut a 6-0 York lead in half.
And in the fourth quarter, Porter found Jones open over the middle again for a 15-yard completion on a third-and-12 from the York 23. On the next play, DeJuan Gambrell blasted in from eight yards out for the winning touchdown.
``He's just a pure athlete,'' Nansemond River coach Jerry Varacallo said. ``We're fortunate to have that type of player here.''
NOTES: Donald Turner's interception with 56 seconds remaining wasn't the only big defensive play by the Warriors on York's final drive. Wilvern Flythe sacked Falcons' quarterback Brian Ginn on the second play of the series, and LaShawn Pugh and Leon Porter combined for another sack one play before Porter's interception. . . . Varacallo took responsibility for the 48-yard field-goal attempt that Asbell booted well off line and short. ``We set him up on the wrong hash,'' the coach said. ``He can make it from there on the other side.'' . . . Last year, Nansemond River celebrated hard after knocking off Tabb for their first regional crown, and Varacallo made good on a promise to shave off his beard. Saturday, though, the Warriors dispensed with the post-game revelry. No one even dumped water over the coach's head. And Varacallo's beard isn't going anywhere. ``Our goal is a state title,'' Varacallo said. ``We'll worry about all that stuff then.'' by CNB