The
Locker Room
November
28, 2001
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Week Fourteen by Ardent Cougar
Friday, November 30, 7:30pm - Marion Scarlet Hurricane (Division 4 State Semifinal, Home): Series:
First meeting.
For a second straight season, the Cougars host a team named after an intense storm, in the state semifinals. The Highlands District Champions Marion Scarlet Hurricane come to town, fresh off of their dethroning of Defending Region IV Champion Magna Vista. They triumphed, despite being outgained, as the Warriors turned the ball over 3 times, and the Scarlet Hurricane lost only a single fumble. Magna Vista was held to 132 yards rushing, and had to use the passing game to erase a 16-0 4th Quarter deficit. Marion's offense is a Wing-T, which of course we are very familiar with. Their coaches came here for a offensive clinic, a few years back. Unlike the way we run it, the wing in their interpretation lines up at an angle towards the offense, instead of directly facing the defense. PC will have a size advantage, on both sides of the line. FB Marshall Doss (No. 20) carries a big load for the team, also playing linebacker. Last week, he gained 130 yards, and scored once. QB Brandon Creasy was responsible for over half the offense last week, rushing for 61 yards (including a 9 yard score), and passing for 89 (including the game winning 44 yard TD, thrown to Senior Joel Blevins). Head Coach Steve Wright said (in the Roanoke Times article on the Magna Vista game), "This is a culmination of a lot of hours, a lot of days in the weight room, a lot of work." Sound
familiar?
Comparing common opponents, we defeated Tazewell 59-7; they beat the Bulldogs 35-14. We edged Graham 35-34 in a pre-season scrimmage/game; they lost to the G-Men 46-12. Since a narrow loss to Richlands, they've won their last six games, including getting revenge on the Blue Tornado, in the first round of the playoffs. (The link is to the Richlands site; you can see the box scores of both games on the page.) Just like the next week against Magna Vista, Marion was outgained, but the Scarlet Hurricane won the battle of the turnovers, getting 2 fumble recoveries and 3 interceptions, while not giving Richlands any freebies. In the first two rounds, Marion is now an impressive +7 in the takeaway/giveaway column, with only one fumble lost, and no interceptions thrown. This team does not seem to beat itself. (Team ratings in parentheses are Gilliam's Ratings for Division 4, not official VHSL ratings.) Semifinals:
Division
4 State Championship:
.
After the Fleming game early in the season, I called Alan Wheeling, 'MVP'. Last Friday night just convinced me even more. In the overwhelming 40-13 (it was 40-6 in the 4th) victory, Alan was 3-for-3 passing, for almost 100 yards, and 4-for-4, if you count the successful two-point conversion to Lucas Nester. Wheeling had a certain connection to Matt Roan on another two point attempt, which a Salem defender spoiled only by interfering. Alan picked off as many passes as he completed, returning one for a spectacular score, as the last seconds ticked off at the end of the first half. The other two pickoffs led to touchdowns on the ensuing drives. His ankle that he severely sprained against Northside, is probably still not 100%. And, one has to wonder how his arm is now, with "all that passing"! (On that note, here's a "tongue-in-cheek" quote from the Roanoke Times story on the game: "I think it caught them off guard there," Pulaski County coach Joel Hicks said. "Passing's a sign of weakness, but we had to do it." ) This game was close early, with both sides playing 'punt'. The Spartans, who saw their great run of titles end, committed 4 turnovers, and were not able to run the ball effectively, save one long score by Reico Jordan. Their young team will no doubt be back strong next season. Jeremy Porter rushed for 128 yards, and Josh Calfee gained 100 yards on the ground. Porter had a trio of scores, and Calfee one, a 63-yard 3rd Quarter romp which squashed Salem's comeback hopes. Josh also caught a pair of passes, for 46 yards. Derrick Burks hauled in a 50 yard TD pass. The Cougars looked very sharp overall, and did not turn the ball over. The whole setting in Dobson Stadium felt better than the week before. The band sounded crisper, the stands were full, and the fans were truly up for the only playoff matchup in the whole history of the Cougar-Spartan rivalry. I hope to see that same support and enthusiasm this week. I wish to address the next comments to a certain young man, who is apparently (to the best of my knowledge) no longer a member of the team. I make these comments, assuming that knowledge. If this is true, I can't say I know precisely why this has come about. I don't know all of your circumstances, and do not wish to say anything critical of you. I am
sorry that you will not be able to share any possible future success this
team might have. Thank you for the positive things and plays you
made happen for the team, while you were on the squad. Good luck.
Previous 2001 Articles: FTB
Week One
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