THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 5, 1996 TAG: 9610050259
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 56 lines
There were two ways to look at Lakeland's 40-19 loss to Western Branch before a homecoming crowd of more than 3,000 Friday night.
An optimist would say the previously unbeaten Cavaliers came within inches of making a first down at the Bruins' 41 midway through the third quarter that would have extended a potential game-tying drive.
A pessimist would say the Cavaliers gave up more points in the first quarter than they had in the previous four games and that any hopes of matching up with the Southeastern District's heavyweights was illusory.
Here are the facts.
Western Branch (3-2, 2-0) rolled up 509 yards of total offense and had three backs rush for more than 100 yards in the most prolific offensive showing by a South Hampton Roads team this season.
The Bruins needed only 10:07 to score more points (14) than Lakeland had allowed (13) all season.
``We executed the Wing-T,'' Western Branch coach Lew Johnston said. ``Except for those two fumbles.''
Ah, yes, the fumbles. The Bruins turned the ball over twice at the Lakeland 5 in the second half and also fumbled a punt in between that led to the Cavaliers' third touchdown.
Western Branch led 27-19 when Marvin Urquhart fumbled and Lakeland recovered at its 5 with 5:02 left in the third quarter.
The Cavaliers (4-1, 1-1) quickly marched to a first down at their 49. But on fourth-and-3 at the Western Branch 44, Daryl Mizelle was inches short of a first down.
``We pretty much knew what they would run in short yardage and we brought our linebackers (Marcus Williams and Anthony Wolfe), and the tackles (Jason Hess and Mike Query) were in there, too,'' said Bruins' assistant Sam Warren.
The key stop gave Western Branch an emotional lift and robbed Lakeland of much needed momentum. Two plays later Keith Burnell burst 30 yards and on the next play Rashad Cook covered the final 20 on an inside reverse to make it 34-19.
Cook led all rushers with 185 yards in 11 carries. Urquhart, the 240-pound sophomore, gained 123 yards in 15 carries and Burnell added 116 yards in 19 carries.
Lakeland's Travis Rawls, who entered the game leading the area in rushing with 734 yards, was held to 72 yards in 22 carries, the first time he's been under 100 this season.
The Bruins scored their first three touchdowns on passes of 10, 7 and 15 yards from David Johnson to Darren Walton. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MIKE HEFFNER/The Virginian-Pilot
Western Branch quarterback David Johnson, right, tries to evade
Lakeland's Matthew Schenk during the third quarter of the Bruins'
40-19 victory Friday night in Suffolk. by CNB