ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610280157
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEITH POMPEY STAFF WRITER
Maybe the Roanoke Rush would have had better competition during an intrasquad scrimmage.
That's because the first round of the National Minor League Football playoffs was no game either.
Before Saturday night's game at Victory Stadium, it was learned the Carolina Hurricanes had to compete without several key players, who had other commitments. Of the 34 regular-season players, only 21 made the trip.
The Rush took full advantage, whipping the Hurricanes 50-0.
``It was an unexpected easy victory,'' said Roanoke fullback Dee Thompson, who carried the ball five times for a game-high 80 yards and a touchdown. ``It just came real easy for us. When you think of a playoff team coming, you don't expect their top players to sit out.''
But Roanoke (10-1) didn't feel sorry for its opponent, limiting Carolina's offense to 61 yards. In fact, the Hurricanes (7-5-1) got beyond midfield only twice. To make matters worse, they couldn't find a way to keep the ball away from Rob Majors.
The Rush defensive back had three interceptions - two of which he returned for touchdowns covering 66 and 30 yards. As a result, the 5-11, 200-pounder was voted the game's Most Valuable Player.
``To be quite honest with you, I don't think this was my best game because of the talent we were playing against,'' said Majors, who leads the NMLF with 14 interceptions. ``They were missing their best players. So the competition was easy.''
On the Rush's first play from scrimmage, Thompson scampered 43 yards to the Hurricanes' 12-yard line. Two plays later, tailback Anthony Merchant scored a 2-yard touchdown. Quarterback Darren Graham's two-point conversion pass to T.J. Jackson made it 8-0 with 11:31 left in the first quarter.
Roanoke went on and scored at will, including an 81-yard kickoff return by Chad Long to start the second half.
``We don't like playing playoff games like this,'' said Tim Leavelle, a Rush receiver. ``We were up for a tight playoff game and the other team didn't put out. After playing an easy game like this, you could come in too over-confident next week. Now we have to regroup and stay focused.''
Roanoke faces the winner of the Knoxville-Savannah game next Saturday at Victory Stadium.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB