THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509170178
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Booker T. Washington upset sixth-ranked Lake Taylor for the second year in a row Saturday night.
But unlike last year, when the Bookers prevailed in overtime, this one didn't look or feel much like an upset.
Booker T. got a big game from sophomore quarterback Dominic Perry and the defense held the Titans to 28 total yards in a 19-0 thumping at Harbor Park.
It was the first Eastern District game for both teams and stamped the Bookers (2-1 overall) as favorites to repeat.
``We have a good football team when we come to play,'' Booker T. coach Larry Stepney said. ``I told our guys if the real Booker T. team showed up we'd beat them.''
Stepney's defense has been stellar for years, but this might be his best unit. The Bookers never let Lake Taylor cross midfield and dropped Titans quarterback Mario Elliott for 47 yards in losses.
In one three-play sequence in the third quarter, Elliott lost 27 yards with Young finally chasing him out of the end zone for a safety.
That made it 16-0, but the outcome had been decided much earlier.
``They quit in the first half,'' Young said. ``We knew it when they started talking smack and trying to get us to do stupid stuff.''
It was the Titans (2-1) who made the most mistakes, however, beginning with a roughing the passer penalty on third and 10 at the Booker T. 19 in the first quarter.
Perry called it a cheap shot and had to leave the game for two plays. But he returned to find Michael Wilson with a 34-yard completion that kept the drive alive and fullback Chester Jones did the rest.
Jones carried four times for 26 yards and scored the first touchdown on a 2-yard burst off right tackle.
Perry stepped up again on the Booker' next possession. He teamed with Kevin Fuller on a 67-yard touchdown strike and then found Marlos Thomas for the two-point conversion pass that made it 14-0.
Fuller beat cornerback Ronyell Whitaker on the TD. Whitaker lunged for the ball at the 39 and missed allowing Fuller to score untouched.
Perry, a sophomore making his third start, was only 7 of 24 passing entering the game and the conditions were hardly suitable for a big passing night.
It began raining 90 minutes before game time and there were showers throughout. But Perry hit 5 of 9 passes for 151 yards.
The Bookers also rushed for 141 yards. Shawn Minter did the bulk of the work carrying 23 times for 92 yards.
The elements may have contributed to two Booker T. turnovers that kept the game from becoming a complete rout. The Bookers fumbled at the Lake Taylor 10 and the 3 in second half.
Whitaker began the weekend as the leading rusher in South Hampton Roads with 292 yards. He carried 10 times for 53 yards to lead the Titans. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
VICKI CRONIS/Staff
Booker T. Washington receiver Shawn Minter, center, and two Lake
Taylor defenders go for a tipped pass.
by CNB