THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 18, 1995 TAG: 9511181758
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Indian River turned the tables on the top-rated defense in South Hampton Roads on Friday night, holding Tallwood to a season-low 84 yards for an impressive 27-0 win in a District 6 regional playoff game at Princess Anne High School.
The Braves (9-2) forced the Lions into five turnovers, picking off quarterback Gilbert Harris four times and stripping TaRon Anderson of the ball early in the fourth quarter.
``We had the No. 1 defense in the league and only one kid made All-District. That was a slap in the face,'' Indian River coach Bob Parker said. ``The kids thought we didn't get any respect in our own league.''
No one should be doubting the Braves now.
Tallwood (8-3) had just 37 yards in the first half, all on the ground, but trailed only 7-0 on a 3-yard run by Mike Joyner 18 seconds into the second quarter. Joyner's short run was set up by a 59-yard bomb from James Boyd to Sam Hardy one play earlier.
Indian River forced Tallwood to punt on its first two possessions of the third quarter. On the Lions' second drive, a sack by Boyd and Joyner pinned Tallwood back to its own 21, and after a rolling punt the Braves took over on their own 43.
Indian River drove to the Tallwood 11, where the Lions stiffened. But Boyd broke through on fourth down for a 12-yard scoring run after being flushed out of the pocket.
Anderson's fumble to start the fourth quarter set up Indian River's third touchdown. Boyd burned the Lions with the option again, ducking behind a block from Lance Bishop and streaking 71 yards down the left sideline.
Hardy picked off Harris on Tallwood's next possession, then cashed in on the turnover with a 26-yard reception from Boyd for Indian River's final score.
``We tried to control the ball and slow down No. 7 (Anderson),'' Parker said. ``Our defense really dominated the game. We felt like with a good pass rush we'd get the interceptions.''
Hardy finished with 100 yards on three catches. Boyd was the leading rusher with 115 yards on eight carries.
Anderson led Tallwood with 47 yards on 19 carries. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by BILL TIERNAN, The Virginian-Pilot
Tallwood's TaRon Anderson was held to 47 yards on 19 carries by
Indian River, which yielded just 84 yards in all.
by CNB