Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 4, 1995 TAG: 9511060059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Berry caught five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, leading William Byrd to a 7-0 victory over Blue Ridge District opponent Rockbridge County.
Berry also was one of five Terriers to intercept Wildcats quarterback Greg Stubblefield, as sustained Rockbridge drives repeatedly backfired in Terrier territory.
Byrd ran its record to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the district and extended its hopes of qualifying for a playoff spot. The Wildcats dropped to 5-4, 2-3.
It was the first time in the four-year series that Byrd has beaten the Wildcats.
Berry's touchdown came on a 5-yard pass from quarterback Frank English with 15 seconds left in the first half. After narrowly keeping his feet in bounds for the score, Berry then booted the extra point.
With 91 points this season, Berry holds a commanding lead in the district scoring race.
The Wildcats controlled the ball for the first 141/2 minutes of the game, moving 59 yards on 16 plays until English intercepted his counterpart on the Byrd 14-yard line.
The Terriers then mounted a time-consuming drive of their own, until Berry failed on a 37-yard field-goal attempt midway through the second period.
Two plays later, Stubblefield fumbled after a 14-yard run, and Byrd parlayed the mistake into a touchdown.
Every time the Wildcats had the ball after intermission, Stubblefield was intercepted.
``We played good defense all night other than the first quarter,'' Byrd coach Jeff Highfill said.
In addition to Berry and English, Byrd defenders Jamie Fuqua, Daniel Wagner and Gerald Pratt snared interceptions.
Highfill was pleased that English completed seven of 12 passes with no interceptions.
``He did an especially good job throwing into the wind,'' Highfill said.
English also was the leading rusher, picking up 80 yards on 22 carries. Freshman Troy Riley paced the Wildcats with 47 rushing yards on seven attempts.
Total offense was virtually even (198-194, Byrd), but the Terriers did not have a turnover. Rockbridge County did not punt, but it never penetrated the end zone, either.
Berry attempted a 53-yard field goal in the fourth period. The kick was long enough, but it was wide right.
``Michael has kicked them from 60 yards in practice,'' Highfill said. ``In fact, it's a ritual at Thursday practice that we don't leave until he makes one from 50 yards.''
``We moved the ball well from the 20 to the 20,'' Rockbridge County coach Jamie Talbott said. ``But we turned over the ball too many times. Our defense played well, but they got us on that one TD.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
Memo: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition<.