Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 18, 1995 TAG: 9511200110
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
Unexpectedly dragged out of an early winter vacation because of a snafu in the setting of the field for the Group AAA Division 5 Northwest Region playoffs the Pioneers were more ready for Thanksgiving than they were for Pulaski County on Friday night in the frost.
=r4 The host Cougars plastered the Pioneers 31-0 in a game that wasn't as close as it might have looked by the score.
True, the Pioneers (6-5) had backed into the regional because E.C. Glass forfeited its last two games for using an ineligible player. Out went North Stafford, in came the Pioneers.
Two days of practice was good for four Heritage first downs and 54 total yards, 15 of that in the second half. Might some extra preparation time have made a difference?
"No, sir,'' Heritage coach Pem Apperson said. "No excuses.''
The Pioneers played as hard as they could, but they were outsized, outmuscled, and outclassed up front.
"That was the difference in the game,'' Pulaski County coach Joel Hicks said. "No question. We blocked and we tackled. That was the best the defensive line has played, four guys as a unit.''
They knew it, too.
"I am real proud of everybody,'' lineman Jay James said.
Much had been made of Heritage's improvement since losing to Pulaski County 23-6 Sept. 29, particularly a 21-13 overtime victory over powerful George Washington of Danville two weeks ago.
"Coach Hicks told me that he thought we had the most improved team in this part of the state,'' Apperson said. "But I think he's the one who has the improved team.''
The Cougars (8-3) will have to gear up for another rematch next Friday. E.C. Glass beat Brooke Point 32-0 for the right to invade Dobson Stadium for the regional final.
The Cougars got 112 yards in 18 carries from fullback Jawan Clark, two rushing touchdowns from quarterback Ron Branch, 21 or more yards from six different ballcarriers, and seven points from place-kicker Shayne Graham.
Graham, who hammered a 42-yard field goal through at the end of the first half to make the score 17-0, now has 16 field goals and 75 points in 11 games. Letters from fawning college recruiters arrive daily.
The blocking was such that just about any Cougar whose play was called found considerable success.
"They were firing off the ball and knocking people backward,'' Branch said of his forward wall.
Changing gears in midweek wasn't easy for Pulaski County, either. Scouting reports had been prepared and studied on Brooke Point, which would have entertained the Cougars had not the mixup with Glass have happened.
"The coaches did a great job for us,'' James said. "They had us ready for everything.''
Pulaski County had 150 yards rushing in the first half and 161 in the second half. In fact, the Cougars were the only ones who successfully stopped the Cougars. Three lost fumbles did it.
Pulaski County made up for that with interceptions from Jamar McNair, Derrick Hunter, and Clark.
"I thought we were pretty sharp tonight, although we did lay the ball down too much,'' Hicks said. "I don't know what the story on that was.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB