THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 25, 1995 TAG: 9511250343
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Several weeks ago, T.J. Morgan realized that the Hampton Roads Sharks had suffered from the organization's attempt to land a Canadian Football League franchise.
So in preparation for today's Mason-Dixon League semifinal against Richmond, Morgan scheduled a tuneup against the Petersburg Hornets last Saturday.
It's a good thing he did.
``This CFL thing was very distracting to everybody - including the players,'' Morgan said. ``It was very demanding and there was an entire organizational thrust towards it. Everybody wanted to make it happen. But after a few practices to get ready for the playoffs, I realized we needed to redirect.''
Hampton Roads (12-1) escaped with a 20-13 victory over the Hornets that Morgan hopes will serve as a wake-up call.
``As usual, the defense played outstanding,'' Morgan said. ``And I saw one of the greatest plays I've ever seen.''
That play occurred late in the fourth quarter, with Petersburg trailing by seven. Hornets linebacker Ollie Gaiters stole the ball from Maurice Harold on an end-around with nothing but open field ahead. Sharks wide receiver Charles Mott took off after Gaiters and ran him down 89 yards later at the Sharks' 2, and the defense held on four plays to prevent a tying touchdown.
``It was the most incredible thing I've ever seen,'' Morgan said. ``The guy had a 30-yard lead on him. Pure speed, that's all it was.''
The Sharks will need another outstanding defensive effort today against the Ravens (8-3), who will be attempting to avenge a 33-16 regular-season loss to the Sharks.
``They have nothing to lose and they want to come down here and be the spoiler,'' Morgan said. ``We want to get to the championship.''
That game would be next Saturday, against the Peninsula-Fredericksburg winner.
And should the Sharks win the Mason-Dixon title, they would host the winner of the Carolina Football League in an American Football Association East Region bowl game Dec. 9.
The winner of that game will play the Columbus Battle Stars in the minor league version of the Super Bowl Dec. 17 at the Center for Effective Learning in Virginia Beach.
``(AFA director Ron Reals) gave me the rights to this thing, and we have already lined up sponsors,'' Morgan said. ``We have a contract with Columbus and the game will be played here.'' by CNB