THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 11, 1995 TAG: 9511110680
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Booker T. Washington got to taste the sweetness one more time Friday before the bitterness sets in for good.
The Bookers, who had the Eastern District championship and a playoff bid revoked when they had to forfeit five games for using an ineligible player, closed out their season with a 28-26 overtime win against Norview as sophomore safety Kevin Fuller broke up a two-point conversion pass in the end zone at Harbor Park.
The Bookers won the coin flip in overtime and took possession at the 10. On their first play Chester Jones took a handoff off right tackle and bounced outside for a touchdown. Shawn Minter ran in the two-point conversion to make it 28-20.
Norview came right back on James Whitley's fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 10-yard strike to David Martin on third down. The Pilots tried the same play on the conversion, hoping the 6-5 Martin could outjump his coverage. But the Bookers switched up, moving Fuller to Martin's side. And though he is only 5-10, Fuller got good position and knocked the pass away.
The record book will say that Booker T. finished 4-6 overall and 2-2 in the district. But that's not what Jones will remember this season. ``We're the true champions,'' he crowed. ``Nine and one.''
Granby (7-3, 3-1), which had a 17-12 loss to Booker T. reversed by the forfeit, will represent the Eastern District in the Division 5 playoffs.
The Bookers' only loss on the field came against top-ranked and undefeated Deep Creek by a 20-7 margin in August. But Norview (4-6, 2-2) wasn't intimidated.
The Pilots led from the 5:15 mark of the second quarter until only 3:07 remained in regulation. Norview had a chance to put away the Bookers when halfback Dwayne Potts caught a pass over the middle and broke it 65 yards for a touchdown that made it 20-12.
But Chuck Barnes' extra point attempt was low and blocked.
The Bookers then took the ensuing kickoff and drove 81 yards in 12 plays. Dominic Perry's third touchdown pass, an 11-yard fade route to Fuller on fourth-and-11, made it 20-18 and Shawn Minter ran in the conversion to tie the score. by CNB