THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512100191
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENNIS HUGHES, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ONLEY, VA. LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Thomas Jones broke Terry Kirby's state career touchdown record as Powell Valley ruled the line of scrimmage to win its second consecutive Group A, Division 2 state title, with a 36-6 victory over Northampton at Nandua Saturday.
Jones ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries to surpass 3,000 yards for a second straight season. With scoring runs of 2, 12 and 7 yards, Jones finished with 3,001 yards and 49 touchdowns and brought his career totals to 7,103 yards and 104 TDs.
Kirby, the Miami Dolphin running back and former University of Virginia standout, scored 103 touchdowns at Tabb High School.
Jones entered the record books as Powell Valley (14-0) won its sixth state title and its second straight on a swampy field. Because of snow Thursday and rain Friday and early Saturday, officials postponed the kickoff 90 minutes to 3 p.m..
The Vikings defeated Sussex Central 33-12 under similar conditions in 1994.
``Maybe I'm a mudder,'' said Jones. ``But good teams do the job no matter what the conditions are.''
Powell Valley went up 16-0 when Jones scored from 12 yards out with 4:48 left in the first quarter. Earlier, he went in from the 2 two plays after Kevin Brooks returned a shanked punt 31 yards to the Yellow Jacket 3. In between Jones' runs, defensive end Oliver Friedrick tackled Northampton quarterback Jeff Wayman as he rolled into the end zone on third and long, notching a safety.
``Both lines beat us off the ball,'' said the Yellow Jackets linebacker Nick Bravo. ``Jones is a good back, but their line did a good job for him.''
The Vikings expanded the margin to 28-0 as Ryan Witt threw two touchdown passes, the second a 10-yarder which Zirkle caught just inbounds with two seconds left in the half. by CNB