ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 13, 1996 TAG: 9610150077
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEITH POMPEY STAFF WRITER
A STRONG SECOND HALF makes the Celtics think they should have beaten Lynchburg Christian.
It was a bit too late for the Roanoke Catholic football team.
After trailing Lynchburg Christian Academy 28-6 at the half, the Celtics' offense came alive, scoring 19 points. However it wasn't enough as the Bulldogs won 36-25 Saturday in a Virginia Independent Conference game at Victory Stadium.
"We looked like we could have won the game in the second half," said Roanoke Catholic coach John Cooke after the Celtics fell to 1-12 against Lynchburg Christian. The Celtics' only victory (26-0) of the series came two years ago.
"I'm disappointed that we didn't put the two halves together,'' Cooke said. ``But I'm happy with the way we came back. It could have been worse and we didn't give up. We fought back like men. Lynchburg Christian is a good team. After coming back like that, we know that we have the ability to beat them."
Cooke was especially happy with the performance of P.J. Moyer. The running back-defensive back rushed for 191 yards, scored three touchdowns and recorded a sack for Roanoke Catholic (5-2 overall, 1-1 VIC).
His yardage moved him into second place on Timesland's all-time rushing list with 5,337 yards. Former Bath County running back Tim Williams has the record with 5,797. And Virginia Tech's Brandon Semones, formerly of Glenvar, fell to third with 5,257.
"It's nice that I came out of my slump," said Moyer, who averaged 78.3 yards during his past three games. "I had to do what I had to do to get back on track. But I would have rather won the game than finish with 191 yards."
Early on, even breaking out of his slump seemed impossible. The Bulldogs (6-0, 4-0) kept the ball out of Moyer's hands with their ball control offense.
Led by tailback Jeremiah Camarata's 191 yards, Lynchburg Christian scored on its first four possessions to take a 28-6 halftime lead.
Roanoke Catholic closed the gap to 28-12 on Moyer's 20-yard touchdown run with 2:15 left in the third quarter.
The Celtics scored again after Glen Ratcliffe recovered a Lynchburg Christian fumble. Seven plays later, Moyer's 7-yard touchdown run capped a 56-yard drive, making it 28-18 Lynchburg Christian with 6:42 left.
Camarata's 21-yarder made it 36-18 with 3:36 left.
Moyer caught a 25-yard halfback-option pass from Mark Buchy with seven seconds remaining. Buchy's extra point made it 36-25.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 54 linesby CNB