Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 30, 1993 TAG: 9310300214
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Patriots won their sixth consecutive football game to set up a showdown with the No. 1-ranked Cougars in a matchup of Roanoke Valley District co-leaders next week.
At halftime, though, Patrick Henry (6-2 overall, 2-0 RVD) had a 13-0 lead after one of the strangest plays seen in years. With three seconds left, Patriots quarterback Shannon Taylor tried to pass and had the ball batted back into his face.
Taylor, who stands 6 feet 5, caught it, reloaded and threw again to Eugene Cook for a 16-yard touchdown. Though many questioned the legality of two forward passes on one play, referee Don Linkous and his crew certified it as legal.
According to the high school rules defining a legal forward pass, the National Federation rulebook says "more than one forward pass may be thrown during the down."
The play was created by a constant blitz on the part of Franklin County to keep Taylor, Timesland's leading passer, off balance.
"They had a good surge, but I've got a good jump," said Taylor, who also is a standout basketball player. "I just let it fly to Eugene in the corner."
After halftime, Taylor and Ike Williams, who had a career-high 197 yards rushing, took over to score three touchdowns in the first 4:21.
First, Taylor threw 53 yards to Jamie Price to set up a 1-yard touchdown by Williams. Then Taylor ran 44 yards for a touchdown to make it 27-0. After Chris Combs recovered a fumble, Williams ran for 12 and 10 yards for another touchdown.
"We challenged our offensive line at the half. Physically, we were bigger than Franklin County. The offensive line didn't have consistent intensity the first half," said PH coach Ed Scott.
The PH coach also helped with an adjustment.
"The second half, they shifted [the defense] the other way and we found something on the other side," said Scott.
The first PH touchdown also was the result of a unusual play. The Eagles blocked a PH punt with Shannon Smith grabbing it. He tried to lateral but lost it, and Williams for PH.
"You preach for kids to try things so you can't get on him. If he makes something happen, it's different," Franklin County coach Horace Green said of the play.
Getting the ball back on their 18, the Patriots gobbled up 82 yards in nine plays with Williams turning in two 11-yard runs. Taylor passed to Adrian Moore for a 7-yard touchdown.
Patrick Henry had one last strange play, this one involving Williams. The 211-pound fullback took off on what looked like a 78-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Nearing the goal line, though, he slowed and was stripped of the ball. The Eagles recovered at their 4.
"I was gassed and they knocked it out of my hands," said Williams. "But that's the best night I've had and it'll get better."
If PH's offense struggled, the defense was strong. Franklin County (2-6, 1-2) had a lot of yards but the Patriots snuffed out threats at the 9 and 24. The Eagles finally scored when Stacy Helms went 40 yards midway in the final quarter.
Taylor admitted the Patriots were thinking about their meeting with Pulaski County. "But Franklin County isn't a bad team and they played a very good first half," he added. \
see microfilm for box score
by CNB