THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512030233
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENNIS HUGHES, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: EASTVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Led by the running of Sam Ames and a stiff defense, Region A champion Northampton trounced visiting Stuarts Draft, 26-6, in a state Group A, Division 2 semifinal football game Saturday.
The Yellow Jackets (12-1) will play Powell Valley, a 28-6 victor over Giles, for the Division 2 title Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Nandua.
Ames ran for 187 yard and two touchdowns. His second score, a 47-yard burst, gave Northampton 26-0 fourth-quarter lead.
But it was the defense that really came through. Three times Cougars failed to convert turnovers in Yellow Jacket territory into points. On a fourth occasion, after fumbling at the Stuarts Draft 8, Northampton forced the Cougars to punt and scored on a the ensuing 45-yard drive. Jeff Wayman's 1-yard touchdown run made the lead 20-0 with 7:31 to go.
``It's tough to win against a tough team when you turn the ball over as often as we did,'' said Northampton coach Jim Conrow. But the defense stepped up and got it back for us every time.''
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Yellow Jackets marched 73 yards on eight plays, capped by a 9-yard run by Ames, to grab a 7-0 lead with 8:06 left in the first half.
Just 43 seconds later, Andre Satchell read a David Branch screen pass perfectly, stepping in front of Spencer Nice for the interception, which he returned 25 yards for a touchdown a 14-0 lead.
``We were keying on him (Nice),'' said Conrow. ``Half the time they throw the ball, they throw it to him.''
`We were nervous going up against their multiple offense,'' said cornerback Damian Nottingham. ``But Andre's interception gave us momentum and a boost of confidence.''
Milton Custis rushed for 89 yards on 14 attempts for the Yellow Jackets. Johnson gained 106 yards on 14 carries for Stuarts Draft.
Strasburg 22 Windsor 13
STRASBURG - Caleb Hart connected with David Hamrick on a 15-yard touchdown pass with six minutes remainings as the Rams advanced to the Group A, Division 1 championship game.
Strasburg (12-1) will visit Bath County, which defeated Appalachia, 36-14, in the final Saturday.
Trailing by three midway through the fourth quarter, the Dukes (10-3) failed to convert on fourth down inside their 20, setting up the deciding score.
Chuck Haines ran for 107 yards on eight carries, one a 69-yarder that gave the Rams a 6-0 lead in the second quarter.
Wayne Briggs rushed for 166 yards and both Windsor touchdowns. by CNB