THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510260219
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 34 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
A big win for Manteo over Southeast Halifax this past weekend made the wild Northeastern Conference football race even wilder.
The conference is taking three teams to the 2A playoffs this year. Plymouth, a state powerhouse, is a virtual lock for first place. The other two spots are being fought for by Southeast Halifax, Manteo, Currituck County, and Edenton-Holmes. Each has a solid chance.
Danny Davis' 32-yard field goal with 5:51 to play was the difference in Manteo's 23-21 win.
With the Redskins trailing 21-20 and Southeast Halifax driving, Manteo's Brandon Butler picked off an errant pass at the Manteo 40 to set up Davis' field goal.
The Trojans had a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter, but for Manteo there was a God. The heavens opened up and the field became slick. Manteo's Joel Daniels recovered a loose ball with about a minute to play and the clock ran out.
``I was awful happy to see the rain, I'll say that much,'' said Manteo head coach Steve Basnight. ``It just opened up. You could hardly see across the field.''
Manteo trailed 14-6 at the half but scored on the opening drive of the second half. Davis caught a 56-yard touchdown strike from Pat McNeely. Manteo missed the two-point conversion and the Halifax lead stood at 14-12.
The Trojans added another score to up their lead to 21-12. But Manteo rebounded once again when McNeely plunged a yard and a two-point pass from McNeely to Davis made it 21-20.
McNeely and Davis also connected on a 79-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. McNeely was 11-for-16 for 268 yards through the air.
The win for Manteo sets up a playoff scenario not unlike two years ago. The Redskins needed a win over Plymouth the final week to win the conference. A loss would drop them to fourth place. Manteo lost to the Vikings in overtime and missed the playoffs. This time Basnight hopes the tables will be turned.
``You've got to love this conference. It's been real competitive,'' Basnight said. ``We're just happy to be in the position we're in right now.'' by CNB