THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 7, 1996 TAG: 9609070487
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 52 lines
Freshman quarterback Chatame Ward took command for Churchland on Friday night, leading the Truckers to a 21-13 overtime victory over Oscar Smith.
Ward entered the game in the second half and proved to be a capable rusher from the pocket. He attempted only three passes, completing two for 14 yards, but rushed for 81 yards, two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.
After breaking free for a 29-yard touchdown to tie the game, Ward became the overtime hero. He rushed across the goal line on the first play of the overtime, then slipped around the right side on the conversion.
Fellow freshman Brandon Hall played the first half, completing 3 of 8 for 38 yards.
``We had a lot of young kids,'' Churchland coach Ken Taylor said. ``The two freshmen quarterbacks both had big plays. The offensive line broke through when it had to, and the defense made the big stops when it had to.''
The Truckers had to in the second half. The youth and inexperience showed as the team fumbled four times, three resulting in turnovers. However, the rushing of Ward and the defense, led by Tee Styles, overcame the Tigers.
The Truckers were in a hole early. Oscar Smith struck swiftly and efficiently, building a 13-0 first-quarter lead. Lavar Griffin powered the attack, completing 6 of 7 passes in the half, for 67 yards. He sailed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Latron Cox at 7:22, then followed with a 7-yard scoring strike to Terrance Stubbs with 1:56 remaining.
The Truckers responded in the second quarter. The defense opened up the middle and the Truckers marched through holes in the Oscar Smith defense, but were unable to score.
The Truckers were in position to score when they fumbled in the end zone with 1:47 left in the third quarter and Oscar Smith recovered. The Truckers' defense then stepped up, forcing the Tigers to punt four plays later. However, the Truckers had too many men on the field on the punt, giving Oscar Smith a first down at their own 40. Oscar Smith again failed to capitalize.
The Tigers had one last chance to win in regulation when William Downing recovered a Truckers fumble with 4:30 remaining. The Tigers took over on their own 17, then slowly advanced to the Truckers' 44.
Griffin rushed 30 yards to the 14, then threw a pass that bounced away from Marcus Burton in the end zone. Two plays later, the Tigers fumbled and Churchland's Kenny Lokie recovered, forcing the overtime.
The Truckers' defense shut down Oscar Smith in overtime.
``I give a lot of credit to Churchland,'' Oscar Smith coach Bill Lyons said. ``They believe the same way our kids are going to believe. We'll come back.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by HUY NGUYEN/The Virginian-Pilot
Churchland's Mike Allen and Justin Scott bring down Oscar Smith's
Lavaughn Rice after a short gain. by CNB