ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 2, 1996 TAG: 9611040119
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: BILL RAY STAFF WRITER
The Lord Botetourt Cavaliers sailed into uncharted waters Friday night, relatively speaking.
By beating Blacksburg 36-7 in a Blue Ridge District game, the Cavaliers qualified for the state football playoffs for the first time since 1984.
"We really feel great about it," Botetourt coach Andy Ward said. "This program has really taken a step up from where it was a few years ago."
Early on, it appeared Blacksburg might squelch Botetourt's playoff hopes, playing the Cavaliers even (7-7) through the first quarter.
The Indians got on the scoreboard after converting a fourth-and-five situation with a 25-yard pass from Tommy LaForce to Joey Carter. Tailback Michael Davis then took the ball in from the 3-yard line to give Blacksburg the early lead, 7-0. Davis finished with 110 yards rushing for the Indians.
But two second-quarter interceptions and the legs of senior Wesley Cox quickly silenced the Blacksburg home crowd.
Less than one minute after Blacksburg got on the board, Cox, who gained 204 yards, took the ball around the right side for a 58-yard touchdown scamper to tie the score.
With four minutes left in the half, Botetourt safety Seth Myers stepped in front of a LaForce pass and returned the ball 65 yards to make the score 17-7.
Less than three minutes later, LaForce was picked off again, this time by cornerback Derek Springer, who took the ball 54 yards to the Blacksburg 22.
A late-hit personal foul on the Indians advanced the Cavaliers to the 8-yard line, setting up a touchdown pass from Myers to Jeremy Conner that made the halftime score 24-7.
The second half proved to be more of the same, with Cox scoring three minutes into the third quarter on a 51-yard run for his second touchdown. Cox sealed the victory with a 68-yard run in the fourth quarter.
"He is just an outstanding player," Ward said. "It seems like he has gotten faster as the season has gone along. He has moves that you just can't teach and is a very instinctive and natural runner. We will really miss him next year."
With the score 30-7, another turnover hampered the Indians, only this time it was a fumble. On first down from the Blacksburg 49, fullback Lee Smith coughed up the ball, allowing the Cavaliers to begin running out the clock.
With 7:35 left to play, Cox broke his longest run of the game, the 68-yarder that punctuated Lord Botetourt's victory.
Defensively, Conner came up big all night for the Cavaliers, making two second-half interceptions.
"Right now we are focusing on next weekend's game with Northside," Ward said. "That is the next step for us before we go into the playoffs. That game will give us at least a tie for the district title."
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB