THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 21, 1995 TAG: 9510210410
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Tallwood thrust itself into the Beach District title hunt Friday night by doing the things it does best.
The seventh-ranked Lions (6-1 overall, 5-1) limited previously unbeaten Kempsville to four first downs and 87 yards total offense and beat the Chiefs 16-0 at Tallwood.
The victory left Tallwood and Kempsville (6-1, 5-1) tied for second place, one game behind Green Run.
The Lions entered the game ranked second in total defense and second in scoring defense in South Hampton Roads. The Chiefs were first in rushing offense.
But Kempsville's longest run from scrimmage was only seven yards and the Chiefs had 25 carries of two yards or less.
``Their defense is as good advertised,'' said Kempsville left guard Hans Beene. ``They have a lot of quick guys and they play as a unit.''
The Lions' defense was tested early. Three times in the first quarter Kempsville started drives inside Tallwood territory, including once at the 15 after TaRon Anderson tried to field a punt at his feet and fumbled.
On fourth-and-1 at the 6, Trey Simkins tried to follow Alex Lleces and Chip Faulkner off the right side. But the Lions got penetration inside slowing down the play and Simkins was stacked up for no gain.
``I filled the hole,'' linebacker Alvin Wilson said, ``and the rest of my teammates came up and pushed him back. It was a total team effort.''
Kempsville (6-1, 5-1) came back after a short punt and drove to the Tallwood 20, but on third-and-8 Simkins fumbled and the Lions recovered.
Tallwood then put together its only sustained drive. Gilbert Harris completed passes of 24 yards to Anderson and of 16 yards to Waymond Favors as the Lions marched 76 yards in eight plays.
Anderson scored from the 3 and Mike Nagelin tacked on the extra point making it 7-0 with 9:43 left in the first half.
Anderson, whose mother Gloria passed away Tuesday, led all rushers with 71 yards in 14 carries.
``TaRon is real strong,'' quarterback Gilbert Harris said. ``He missed only one day of practice. We dedicated the game to him.''
The score remained 7-0 until the Chiefs snapped the ball over the head of punter Corey Niepraschk, who fell on it for a safety with 11:45 to play.
Tallwood added an insurance touchdown on a 45-yard pass from Harris to Favors with less then five minutes remaining. Favors had to wait on the ball, which hung up in a stiff breeze, but still scored untouched.
``Ugly wasn't it?'' Harris said.
The pass was, but not the victory. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER\ Tallwood running back TaRon Anderson
leaps to avoid two teammates. He finished with 71 yards rushing.
by CNB