The Locker Room
by Jeff Wolfe

Colonel Miller’s Ground Control

BOX SCORE

10/17/98 - The young Cougars of Pulaski County could not overcome an interception that was returned for a touchdown versus George Miller’s large and experienced William Fleming Colonels. The game was won with rushing offense as Fleming passed only once during the game. Ankle injuries limited the Cougar offense as Josh Calfee was injured early, and Kwasi Scott had to leave the field late in the game.

This Roanoke Valley District game had to contend with some distractions. It was the silver anniversary homecoming for PCHS. More importantly, as the Cougars took the field to play, the mood was somber as armbands were displayed in memory of teammate Lee Cook, one year after his tragic death. As a result, the start of the game was anti-climatic emotionally, and rightfully so.

WF won the toss and chose to receive. The Colonels began a 10 play scoring drive at their own 19. On the third play of the game Jermaine Hardy took the pitch to the right for a 40 yard gain to the PC 33. Three plays later Cougar left corner Calfee injured his right ankle and had to be helped from the field. After having his ankle re-taped he could still only manage to limp on the sidelines, and would not return to the game. Hardy carried off guard to the right for a 4 yard touchdown. Shilo Romantini’s PAT was good for a 7-0 lead.

Adam Roop returned the kickoff 8 yards to the PC 44. Scott carried strait ahead through the defense for 7. Brandon Miller carried the dive for 3 and the first down, confidently replacing Calfee, and returning to the job he relinquished earlier this season. Travis Roop rolled right after play action, weaving past a rusher deep in the backfield and escaping to the flat where he threw to Jeff King for 6 yard gain. Then Miller carried right for seven and another first down.

The inside counter blocking left not one Cougar or Colonel lineman standing, yet Scott found room to run through for 10 yards to the WF 21. On 3^rd and 4, Frank Cobbs carried left after the criss cross to move the chains. Two plays later Scott would carry in from the 2 for a TD. Ashworth’s PAT tied the score at 7.

Devon Turner fielded the kickoff at the 1 and carried out to the 19. Hardy carried right for 8, then Jones took the dive for 3 and a first down. The Colonels started backward as a screen to the right lost yards. Quarterback Cody Wade dropped back to find himself swamped with rushers. He was able to escape but an illegal procedure penalty was assessed on the play. On 3^rd and 15, Charles Corner took the pitch to the left for 13. With 4^th and 2 at their own 32, Wade would punt as the first quarter ended. PC would gain possession near midfield at their own 38.

The defining moment of the game would occur as coach Joel Hicks expressed confidence in his offensive unit by electing to pass on first down. The hand signal for the play came to Roop from the sideline. As he dropped back, he found the rush upon him, but failed to take a graceful sack. Roop showed poor judgement as he fell, throwing in desperation into the hands of a Colonel defensive lineman, who rumbled to the end zone for a touchdown. With the PAT, Miller’s team would take a 14-7 lead and never look back.

Corner was offsides on the kickoff, and a penalty was assessed. Then Scott returned the kick to the PC 29. Brandon Miller took the dive for 4. Cobbs converted for the first down on a 10 yard carry after the criss cross. Scott carried for three, then Miller was stopped for no gain. On 3^rd and 7, King ran a short curl route down the hash mark but was well covered as the pass arrived low to the ground incomplete at his feet.

After the punt, a clipping penalty was noted, walking WF back to their 13. Despite being called for holding, the Colonels managed to get a first down on the next play with a 16 yard gain. Two plays later, Hardy took the pitch right but Shay McMillian scraped in behind the large sweeping linemen for the tackle. Corner took the dive but was stopped short of a first down. The punt was short and took a bounce backwards before being downed at the WF 41.

Scott carried past the inside counter blocking for 5. Porter was stopped for no gain after the criss cross. Then Scott took the quick pitch left for 4 to bring about 4^th and short at the 21.

The Cougars best chance to drive to even the score would be stopped in the trenches. Miller carried on the dive but was stopped for no gain.

WF took over on downs and controlled the ball for 8 more plays to take their 14-7 lead to the locker room.

The first cougar drive of the second half was three and out. On 3^rd and 4, Scott was caught for a 1 yard loss after the quick pitch.

WF was driving down the field when a successful pass completion was fumbled away and the Cougars would recover at their own 34.

Pulaski County needed a big play, but would not get it. Roop dropped back to pass to the post route. Cobbs had a height advantage over the defender, who was right with him as the ball was overthrown by 5 yards. Roop’s next pass was knocked down in the backfield by one of the Colonels’ tall linemen. Scott would carry for no gain before Peaslee would present to punt.

Fleming started deep in their own territory but two Hardy carries created first and 10 at their own 19. From 3^rd and 2, Hardy carried wide left and turned the corner at the sideline. He could not be caught as he sprinted 73 yards for a touchdown. A successful PAT raised the score to 21-7, late in the third quarter.

With 2^nd and 7 at the PC 33, the pass rush caught Roop moving backwards for a tremendous loss, but the excuse of forward progress was used to limit it to only 10. Peaslee would soon punt.

At this point the defense could not find the physical or emotional strength to stop the momentum of the enormous Colonel linemen and their confidence with the 14 point advantage. Corner carried right for 29 yards. Jones contributed 7 more. Then Corner carried right and cut left for a 37 yard touchdown. The snap and hold were poor leaving the lead 27-7.

Coasting along, Fleming did not offer much resistance as Roop led his team to score. A personal foul contributed 15 to the effort. The key play on the drive was a 27 yard gain on a screen play. Scott would carry right from the 3 for the TD. Ashworth’s PAT reduced the deficit to 13.

The defense held WF to 3 plays and out.

The Cougar offense was advancing toward the goal line, but not as fast as the clock was ticking. Scott would leave the game with an ankle injury of his own, with Niki Hoback taking his place in the backfield. With 1:58 remaining, 4^th and 14, Roop carried right on a keeper but was well short of the first down.

The Colonels would take over on downs and run a few dive plays to help the clock expire. William Fleming defeated Pulaski County for a second consecutive year.

BOX SCORE

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