Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 9, 1995 TAG: 9509110045
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In past weeks, the Roanoke Rush was relatively unaware of its opponents.
But tonight, Roanoke knows exactly what it faces. Now the question is how will it stop National Minor League Football foe, the West Virginia Lightning, and quarterback Major Harris?
"They have a good football team," Roanoke head coach Denie Marie said.
Roanoke (1-2), coming off a 20-6 loss to the Central Pennsylvania Pirahna last Saturday, faces the league's top offensive team tonight in a 7 p.m. game at Victory Stadium.
West Virginia (4-0) has scored 160 points and given up only 53.
"Basically, we know they have an excellent front line and they're going to come at you," Marie said.
That offensive line's main priority is to protect Harris, a former Heisman Trophy finalist at West Virginia University.
Harris left college following his junior year after the 1989 season and later played in the CFL and the Arena League.
Now, the former Mountaineer is directing the Lightning offense.
This season, Harris is 33-of-67 for 559 yards and six touchdowns through the air. On the ground, he has rushed for 225 yards and three touchdowns.
In a 64-22 victory over the D.C. Chiefs last weekend, Harris was 12-of-23 for 238 yards and three touchdowns.
"We have to try our best to contain Major Harris," said defensive lineman Jerome Preston, who had a sack and nine solo tackles in last week's game. "You're not going to stop him. People know that from his college days."
Preston, a former Virginia Tech captain, played against Harris once in college. The Hokies prevailed 12-10 in a 1989 contest at West Virginia.
"We just have to keep him from hurting us," Preston said.
At this point, the Rush probably should be more concerned with hurting itself. Roanoke drove into Pirahna territory a half-dozen times last week and had only a 1-yard touchdown pass from T.J. Jackson to Eddie Sloss for its efforts.
Two drives were ended with missed field goals inside 30 yards.
"We shot ourselves in the foot," Marie said. "When you're in the scoring zone, you have to be focused."
The Lightning will see a familiar face when it walks onto the field tonight.
Fullback Billy Pate, who joined the Rush this week, played for West Virginia earlier in the season.
But trying not to ruffle any feathers with his former team, Bates was low-key about describing the Lightning offense.
"I plead the fifth," Bates said in reference to ways on stopping the Lightning.
by CNB