Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 7, 1995 TAG: 9510090042
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MIKE ASHLEY STAFF WRITERo{DATELINE} Dublin
DATELINE: {LEAD LENGTH: Medium
With visiting Franklin County playing well enough to envision its first victory over Pulaski County in eight years, the Cougars got a lift from Derrick Hunter that turned this tight Roanoke Valley District clash into a 41-16 rout.
The Cougars (3-2 overall, 1-0 Roanoke Valley) found themselves tied with the high-flying Eagles midway through the second quarter, but Hunter helped turned the tide. His 11-yard scoring scamper gave Pulaski County a 10-3 lead at 5:16, culminating a lighting strike tow-play drive highlighted by Jabbar Patterson's 40-yard reception from Ronald Branch.
After Jawan Clark recovered a Franklin County fumble at the Eagle 26 with just 4:12 remaining, it took the Cougars just three plays to punch in another score. Hunter carried the ball the final three yards on a nifty move around left end.
Suddenly leading 17-3, Hunter and the Cougars still weren't finished. The 5-foot-10 senior's interception and 32-yard return set up another quick score. Branch found Russell Shockley down the middle on a 23-yard scoring strike to complete a 1-play drive and make the score 24-3 with 1:42 remaining.
When the shell-shocked Eagles couldn't move on their next possession, two judicious Cougar timeouts set the stage for one more scoring opportunity. Sensational senior kicker Shayne Graham didn't disappoint, connecting on a 50-yard field goal into the wind with just one second left.
Franklin County (1-4, 0-1) deserved a better fate. The Eagles soared to 190 first-half yards and nine first downs but were consistently grounded when they ventured near the end zone. An 11-play game-opening 74-yard march went for naught when Matt Maxey narrowly missed a 24-yard field goal.
``We just exploded,'' said Hunter. ``We haven't done anything like that all year, but I expect us to keep it up. We've really come together.''
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB