THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 19, 1996 TAG: 9610190545
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 50 lines
At first, the football game between the Hornets and Lakeland seemed incidental to the circus-like atmosphere of Deep Creek Stadium Friday night.
However, the roar of the crowd soon focused on the seven players who scored touchdowns. And by the third quarter of Deep Creek's 48-7 bashing, the crowd was shouting, ``We want Hampton.''
The players ignored the hoopla and focused on Deep Creek fundamentals - an offensive line that runs over anything in its path and a virtually impenetrable defense.
Highlighting the action was Hornets quarterback Arnie Powell, who was 6 for 6 for 106 yards to increase his uninterrupted completion stretch to 16 in three games. He had one scoring pass to Devondus Neal and ran for another touchdown.
``We've worked with (Powell) for four years and it's really good to see that in his senior year he has matured into the quarterback we always knew he could be,'' Deep Creek coach Jerry Carter said. ``When he's in there, he can do anything.''
Powell's playing time was limited by the Hornets' potent offense. Powell scored the lone first quarter touchdown, but Deep Creek reeled off 21 points in the second and third quarters. Chris Crocker entered the game with three minutes remaining in the third quarter and scored on a 47-yard run on his third play.
Lakeland (5-2, 2-2), currently ranked No. 10 in the Virginia AAA state poll, was held scoreless until the final two minutes.
The Hornets (7-0, 4-0), currently ranked third in the state and first in the South Hampton Roads poll, went ahead 13-0 on a 2-yard Henry Martin run, then stretched the lead to 20-0 when Tyrone Hall streaked 19 yards into the end zone. Hall, who replaced Martin, forced to leave the game with a stinger in his left shoulder, had 54 yards on 10 carries.
``It was good,'' Hall said of his effort. ``I'm sorry my teammate got hurt, but I guess it's my time to step up. It was a little bit more pressure.''
Neal stepped up next, grabbing a 48-yard pass from Powell, then hooking up again from 10 yards out for a touchdown.
``I think we played a pretty good game,'' Neal said. ``The line held them, the running backs had a good game. I think I could have done a little better.'' ILLUSTRATION: MIKE HEFFNER
The Virginian-Pilot
Deep Creek's Richard Rogers grabs Lakeland quarterback Dequinton
Baker during the Hornets' 48-7 win. by CNB