THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 12, 1996 TAG: 9610120607
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By Paul White
STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 60 lines
The play is known throughout football circles as the ``Hail Mary'' pass, but in this case, it ought to be called a ``Hail to the Chief.''
Kempsville's Trey Simpkins bobbled but hung on to Matt Lemm's 45-yard bomb on a 4th-and-18 play with 23 seconds remaining, setting up Zeb Clark's two-yard touchdown plunge and propelling the Chiefs past No. 3 Tallwood, 21-20, Friday night at Tallwood.
The victory knocked the stunned Lions (5-1, 4-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten while boosting the Chiefs (5-1, 4-1) into a first-place tie in the Beach District.
``We're back on the dance floor now,'' said Kempsville coach John Bowles. ``We've got a chance again.''
Prior to his dramatic, last-minute heave, Lemm was just 2 for 16 on the night with one interception. Furthermore, his pass was hauled in by a man who wasn't even the primary receiver.
The play was supposed to go to Eric Garrett, Simpkins said. ``But just before I left the huddle, Matt said, `Watch for the ball.' ''
``Hey, Matt,'' Garrett said. ``Nice read, baby!''
Simpkins bolted down the left sideline, got behind three Tallwood defenders, then bobbled the ball twice before finally securing it as he hit the ground. The senior immediately bolted upright and began pleading his case to the referee before realizing the official had ruled it a catch all along.
Clark then blasted over left tackle for the second of his two fourth-quarter scoring runs, and with 16 seconds to play, Kempsville had its first lead of the night.
Prior to that, the Lions appeared to have done just enough to remain unbeaten. Tallwood quarterback Gilbert Harris made what appeared to be the play of the night late in the third quarter when he rolled to his right, waited to the last second a la Joe Montana, then fired a strike through traffic to the back of the end zone to Damion McGhee from 11 yards out. The score allowed the Lions to take a 20-9 lead into the fourth quarter.
Clark's two-yard scoring run with 2:50 left brought the Chiefs to within five. Then, in a nod to the stingy Chiefs' second-half defense, Bowles had Ryan Quinn kick into the end zone instead of trying an onsides kick.
The Chiefs defense made Bowles look good - but barely. Harris' keeper on third-and-four came up two feet short.
Tallwood freshman Jon Brady ran for 123 yards and one touchdown, but was held to only 13 yards in the second half. Clark finished with 83 yards; fullback Alex Lleces pounded out 102 yards on 24 carries. ILLUSTRATION: HUY NGUYEN
The Virginian-Pilot
Tallwood's Kiko Toxey, right, stops Kempsville's Trey Simpkins after
he hauled in a pass and picked up yardage Friday night.
HUY NGUYEN
The Virginian-Pilot
Tallwood's Ronnie Clark returns a kick in the first half against
Kempsville. The Chiefs knocked the Lions from the unbeaten ranks,
while boosting the Chiefs into a first-place tie in the Beach
District. by CNB