
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, November 18, 1995                   TAG: 9511200111
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: BEDFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

LIBERTY RUNS OUT OF STEAM

The Amherst County Lancers said good-bye to the Seminole District on Friday night, but they weren't quite ready to say good-bye to their 1995 football season.

Inspired by the slashing running of halfback Maurice Clark, Amherst defeated Liberty 20-12 in the first round of the Region III Division 4 playoffs. The victory avenged an 8-7 Minutemen win when the teams collided three weeks ago during the regular season.

Amherst (9-2), which next year joins the Group AAA Western District, advances to play the Salem Spartans in Salem next week.

Clark rushed 20 times for 180 yards and a touchdown Friday. More than half of his yardage total came on a 92-yard scoring burst late in the first half.

``I don't care how many yards I get,'' Clark said. ``As long as we win.''

Both of the Lancers' defeats this year were by one point.

Amherst dominated the first half, holding the home team to 3 rushing yards and three first downs. Only two lost fumbles and an interception prevented the Lancers from leading by more than two touchdowns.

``I told our players [at halftime] they had two more quarters,'' Liberty coach Mike Scharnus said.

The Minutemen changed styles in the third quarter. They forced Amherst to punt twice, and began to move offensively. Liberty moved 64 yards on eight plays to make it 13-6 with 5:23 left in the third period. Wide receiver Gregg Reynolds caught three passes for 38 yards on the drive, including a 10-yarder for the touchdown.

Liberty quarterback J.J. Coles completed eight of 17 passes on the night for 109 yards.

The Minutemen (9-2) closed the gap to 13-12 early in the fourth period when Ryan Stevens returned a fumble 26 yards, but Liberty kicker Lee Fisher's extra-point attempt was wide left from 25 yards.

With 10:35 remaining, Amherst put together a 16-play, 72-yard scoring march that culminated in Mitch White's 1-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown.

Clark carried 10 times for 61 yards on the drive.

``I think that long drive showed what we are made of,'' said Amherst coach Mickey Crouch.

``They just played better than we did tonight,'' Scharnus said. ``We did a good job coming back. We were close, but we just didn't get the job done.''

Amherst's White attempted only one pass, and it was intercepted by Liberty's Corey Gilmore.

NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.

by CNB