THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 19, 1996 TAG: 9610190508
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: 67 lines
Every time Churchland faced a third down Friday night, Norcom assistant coach Robert Jackson would turn toward the bench and yell ``punt block.''
Jackson was alerting the Greyhounds' punt return/punt block team to get ready to go on the field. But the way things played out he could have been making a prediction.
The third-ranked Greyhounds (6-1, 4-0) blocked two punts and got a hand on two others in rallying to beat No. 5 Churchland 18-14 to remain undefeated in the Eastern District.
Both blocked punts led to touchdowns as Norcom scored twice in the final seven minutes to overcome an 8-point deficit.
The second block, by junior end Genoa Everett, gave Norcom possession at the Churchland 8 with 6:26 remaining.
Everett brought down punter Kurt Straub, who had to field a low snap and never had a chance.
``I hit him right in the numbers,'' Evertt said. ``We work on that every day.''
One play later quarterback Kevin Jones hit tight end LeShaun Britt in the right corner of the end zone to pull the Greyhounds to within 14-12. The two-point conversion failed, however, leaving Churchland with the lead and the ball.
The Truckers (5-2, 2-2) returned the ensuing kickoff to their 31, but failed to get a first down. Facing their most crucial punting situation, the Truckers' Jamin Elliott - subbing for the injured Kurt Straub - got off a 23-yarder.
Norcom took over at its 48 with 4:52 to play.
TaRon Anderson, who sat out last week with a bruised shoulder and didn't start against the Truckers, ripped off runs of 15 and 12 yards. The second run gave Norcom a first down at the Churchland 16.
On third-and-1 at the 7, Jones bulled his way to a first down at the 1. Two plays later - following a 3-yard loss by Anderson that was cut in half by a facemask penalty against Churchland - Jones sneaked in from the 2 with 1:04 to play.
``We called the play during the timeout,'' Jones said. ``Coach said if I saw it I could take it, and I saw it.''
The touchdown ruined an impressive performance by Churchland, which held Norcom to 96 yards rushing and got a solid effort from freshman quarterback Brandon Hall. Hall usually alternates with fellow freshman Chatame Ward. But Ward broke his arm last week and Hall had to go the distance.
Hall completed 6 of 14 passes for 77 yards and kept his mistakes to a minimum. He got plenty of help from Elliott, who scored both Churchland touchdowns on runs of 59 and 3 yards.
But the punting woes were too much to overcome.
Churchland coach Ken Taylor said he didn't anticipate the problem and gave Norcom credit.
``They just executed better than we did,'' Taylor said.
Norcom led 6-0 after the first blocked punt and appeared ready to take control only to have two touchdowns nullified by penalties on its second drive. That ended on downs at the Churchland 15.
The Greyhounds, perhaps sensing some bad karma toward punting, were 1 for 5 on fourth down plays and never attempted a punt. They had a first down at the Churchland 5 wiped out by holding late in the first half and another drive ended at the Churchland 17 when the Truckers' Tee Styles and MattAllen combined to stop James Lavender on fourth-and-4 at the 18. ILLUSTRATION: L. TODD SPENCER
Norcom's TaRon Anderson tries to dodge Churchland's Jamin Elliot.
The Greyhounds got just 96 yards on the ground, but took the win. by CNB