The Daily News Leader from Staunton, Virginia • 13

Sunday News Leader, November 19, 1995 1 i. Druckenmiller leads Hokies comeback By STEVE COX Sports Writer few 'J7 HOKIES CELEBRATE Virginia Tech standout defensive end Cornell Brown Is hoisted above the crowd as the Hokies celebrate their come-from-behind win over the Virginia Cavaliers Saturday at Scott Stadium. (Photos by Ken Bosserman) Mason holds off Wilson for Region crown run Saturday against Virginia Tech. Barber's 3rd-quarter TD gave the Cavs a 29-1 4 lead. FINDING A HOLE Virginia running back Tiki Barber heads to the end zone on a 9-yard scoring man Todd White and the Cavs had possession in Tech territory.

A pass interference penalty moved the ball to the Tech 34, but the Hokies defense stiffened and forced the Cavs to try a 46-yard field goal. Rafael Garcia's attempt was just wide to the left and the Hokies still had life with just over two minutes remaining. Druckenmiller then engineered the game-winning drive. The series started with three incomplete passes, but on 4th-and-10, Druckenmiller hit Cornelius White for 13-yards across the middle to keep the drive alive. Druckenmiller completed four more passes to move the Hokies to the Virginia 32 and set the stage for his game-winning toss to Holmes.

Holmes ran a stop-and-go pattern and the Virginia secondary bit on Druckenmiller's pump fake, allowing the Hokie wide receiver to spring free for the touchdown. Larsen tacked on the important extra-point, giving Tech a 30-29 lead. "Virginia has a very agressive secondary and if you have time to throw and we did on that play, you have a chance to make the play," Beamer said of the game-winning pass play. Druckenmiller was thinking of running the play even before it was called from sideline by Tech assistant Ricky Bustle. "We tried the play earlier in the game but I had some pressure and we couldn't make it work," Druckenmiller explained.

"I wanted to call that play myself and I couldn't have been happier when Major completed a three-point play to make it 13-12. The Hornets held the Mustangs to just l-of-17 field goals in the period, but their inablitiy to navigate the Mason press prevented them from taking advantage. Wilson closed out the frame with five turnovers, and only a Tiffany Lucas stickback at the end of the half kept them close, 20-16. i The Mustangs extended the lead early in the third, but a Perry three-point play pulled Wilson to within 24-22 at the 4:30 mark. Moments later, Lucas tied the contest as she converted an offensive rebound, but the turnover bug again cost the Hornets as they committed four consecutive miscues and the Mustangs went up 31-24.

Mason couldn't shake Wilson, as free throws from Lucas and Perry, and a jumper from Melinda Swisher kept it close at 31-28. Wilson continued to remain close in the last quarter until the final spell of turnovers took their toll. "The girls tried their hearts Hornet coach Kirk Johnson. But when you have 27 turnovers and shoot just 16 of 30 from the free throw line, it hurts your chances." Johnson pointed to Tuesday's opening round of State A play, saying, "We're going to get excited all over again, and regroup and get back in sync." By BILL KRAMER Sports Writer MADISON The undefeated George Mason Mustangs took advantage of a rash of Wilson Memorial turnovers to claim the Region championship 57-43 Saturday night. 4 ti Trailing only 38-35 with 4:24 left in the game, the Hornets were outscored 19-8 in the game's final minutes.

After Melinda Swisher hit a free throw to pull Wilson to within three, center Erin Perry picked up her fifth foul that spelled the beginning of the end for the Hornets. Wilson managed only one more field goal, a trey at the buzzer by Dawn Major, the rest of the contest. Despite the loss, Wilson qualifies for the State Group A tournament, and will hit the road Tuesday and play at the home of the Region A champion. The winner of Saturday's Essex-Nandua game will host the Hornets at 7:00 p.m. The Mustangs, now 25-0 on the year, held a 12-9 lead at the end of 4 the first period, as Wilson commit ted mne turnovers the quarter.

A pair of treys by Major and a 1 three-point play by Perry kept the Hornets close. Wilson took the lead briefly in the early stages of the second, when CHARLOTTESVILLE The postseason bowl picture is still a bit muddled, but it's looking brighter every day for the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies rallied from a 29-14 deficit with 22 points in the final quarter to stun the Virginia Cavaliers and give the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl committees something to think about in the coming weeks. Quarterback Jim Druckenmiller orchestrated the final drive and capped the comeback when he connected with Jermaine Holmes on a 32-yard scoring strike with :47 left for the game-winning score. The win not only gives the Hokies state bragging rights for the next year, but it furthered Tech's bid to be included in the Bowl Alliance.

"I would think the bowl committees would want a team like Virginia Tech," Hokie head coach Frank Beamer said as he continued to lobby for a major bowl appearance. "Virginia Tech is a team on the move. Other teams have been there (to the major bowls). This team is on the way there. This is a great story.

I would think the bowls would want a team like that." The Hokies engineered the comeback behind the passing of Druckenmiller and a defense that shut down the Cavs in the final quarter. Druckenmiller hit Jermaine Holmes with a 10-yard scoring pass to ignite Tech's comeback early in the fourth quarter. The Hokies try for two points failed and Virginia still led by two scores, 29-20, with over 12 minutes left to play. A pair of penalties against the Cavs on the ensuing kickoff moved Virginia back to its 6 and the loss of field position proved costly. Ya.Tech36,U.Va.29 VlriMaTfct 14 I li-M VkfiwU 15 -M Cnwell 29 put from Oroh (Quo kick) VT Oiendina 1 nm (Uim kick) VTD.Thomai 2 run (Linen kick) Vn Medley 2 put from Sherman (Sherman pin to Neely) Crowell 31 ptn from Sherman (Garcia kick) Va T.Brberrun(Oarcukick) i VT Holmes 10 pan from Druckenmiller (past railed) VT FO Larten 35 VT Holmes 32 pats from Druckenmiller (Larten kick) VT Banks 65 interception return A 43,600.

VT Vs First downs Rushes-yards Passing Return Yards Comp-Att-IM Punts Fumblet-Lost Penalties-Yards Time of Poise uiod 13 29-79 240 134 18-37-3 6-36 0-0 3-49 26:23 22 43-103. 317 I. 21-34-2 9-37 0-0 7-59 33:33 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING Virginia Tech, D.Tnusas i-3t, Oin-dmt 9-26, Pariur 2-7, DrKktuUler 6-4, EdnMadt 2- 4. T.Barhtr la-M, Bnwka 11-41, Medhy 1-9, Sherman 2-7, Grah 7-, team Hmlam 19), PASSING Vlrflnli Tech. Drackeamillcr 17-36-3-230, White 1-1-6-I6.

Virginia, Groh I3-24-MM, Sherman S-104-129. RECEIVING Vlrglab) Tech, SHg 5-125, Holmes 3- tt, OlttHiut M4, WhHt Ml Edmaada Ml, Staewe 1-11, Dnckenmlllir l-l, Jennings 1-7, Parker 1-2. Virginia, Crowell 3-112, Allen MS, T.Barber 3-29, Owen 25, Neely 1-12, Byrd 1-33, Deny 1-9, K. Brooks 1-5, Medley 1-2. scribes of this team write about these days.

Receiver Leslie Shepherd, who could sub for Westbrook and Ellard, has been placed on the inactive list because of injury. So have guard Tre Johnson. Jim Lachey and Vera Smith. Along the offensive wall, the 'Skins are scheduled to start rookie Cory Raymer, who was injured in training camp and has not played in a regular season NFL game, at center. Oh, goodie! And to make things even more peachy, young Mr.

Raymer will go up against Hawks' nose tackle Cortez Kennedy, a Pro Bowler. Regular center John Gesek will move to guard. On defense, there are so many injuries that space will not allow elaboration. But perhaps the most critical is the sprained Achilles tendon suffered by cornerback Darrell Green. Green may play some, but he is not 100 percent.

Rookie Scott Turner will try too fill in for the veteran, and lookout! The Redskin, defense faces not only Joey Galloway, but also Chris Warren, who leads the American Football Conference in rushing with 841 yards on his way to a fourth consecutive rushing year. Quarterback Rick Mirer is vastly improved and can throw not only to Galloway, but also to Brian Blades. These guys can make sunny prognosticators look silly. As in most of these cases, much of the burden will fall on the shoulders Coach Bustle called it from the sideline. The Virginia safeties like to support hard and I set them up with a little pump fake and Jermaine ran right past them." Virginia had one last chance to pull out the win as it moved from its 19 to the Tech 41 with six second left.

After a timeout, the Cavs elected to throw a quick out to the sideline, hoping to move close enough for a Garcia field-goal attempt. Defensive back Antonio Banks thwarted the plan as he stepped in front of Groh's pass and raced 65 yards to the end zone for the final margin of victory. For the Cavaliers, it was a day of missed opportunities. "White's interception in the fourth quarter should have been the difference," Virginia head coach George Welsh said. "After that play, we had a chance to put it away with a field goal but we couldn't convert.

"I think our kicking game obviously hurt and the penalties hurt us a lot. The game came down to what happened in the fourth quarter. We lost field position with our kicking game and we weren't able to convert on offense. "Even after we miss the field goal, you have a chance to stop them and win the game. We had them fourth-and-10 and let them complete a pass across the middle with four linebackers in the game.

We had our chances to win the football game, but we just didn't convert." Bath increased it margin to 14-0 in the second after stopping a Holston drive at the Bath 25 and marching 75 yards with Jamie Carroll netting the score on a 1-yard burst. Travis Gwin produced his second PAT and the Chargers led at the half 14-0. In the third period, Brandon Woodard broke loose on a 23-yard scoring run and Gwin again nailed the PAT as the Bath lead soared to 21-0. Another Gwin, Chris, provided the final Charger score on a 39-yard left end sweep, shedding four would-be tacklers on his journey to the end zone. Winning coach Steve Isaacs, who netted his ninth victory in 11 starts, began subbing midway of the third period.

Holston's only score came with 5:34 left when Travis Owens capped a 52-yard drive, following an Anthony Pusey fumble, from 1-yard out cutting the lead to 27-6. Holston coach Dennis Webb admitted while Bath failed to provide the unexpected, stopping them was another matter. "They are a well-coached team and certainly the best club we have faced all season. While we have some skilled people, Bath has both skilled people and brute force. You don't stop brute force with skilled people." The Cavs moved out to near mid-field, but a holding penalty against the Cavs and an 8-yard sack on third down put the Cavs in a punting situation from the 25.

Virginia has had plenty of trouble executing the long snap this season and a bouncing snap to punter Will Brice put the Hokies back in business. Brice was unable to field the snap cleanly and under a heavy rush, the left-footed kicker booted a right-footed punt 10 yards and the Hokies returned the punt 14 yards to the Virginia 21. Virginia's defense made the best of a tough situation and forced the Hokies to settle for Atle Larsen's 35-yard field goal which pulled Tech to within six, 29-23 with 6:58 left to play. The Cavs were unable to penetrate the relentless Hokies defense on the next series as Tiki Barber was dropped for a 1-yard loss and quarte-back Mike Groh was sacked on the next two plays for losses of 5 and 7 yards. On fourth down, another low snap forced Brice to rush his punt and the 24-yard effort rolled dead at the Virginia 46.

The Virginia defense once again came up with a huge stop as it forced a turnover which gave its offense a chance to put the Hokies away. The Virginia pass rush flushed Druckenmiller out of the pocket and as he tried to throw he was drilled from behind by linebacker Jamie Sharper. The ball squirted into the waiting arms of Virginia down line and arm of Redskin quarterback Gus Frerotte. He is scheduled to start again, despite press carping by 19-million-dollar man Heath Shuler that he should get his old job back now that he is healthy again. Well, Shuler got back in the lineup two Sundays ago against the Kansas City Chiefs and in a couple of series ended up throwing two interceptions.

The Redskins' best chance of winning at this point in the season is with Frerotte. He has played consis-tenly well, though he clearly was not at his best against the Chiefs, often throwing high. Other times catch-able balls were dropped by bench-warming substitute receivers. The 'Skins (3-7) need this game desperately against the 4-6 Hawks, for they return to the NFC East the next three weeks, playing the Eagles at RFK next Sunday, the Cowboys in Dallas on Dec. 3 and the Giants in the Meadowlands on Dec.

10. They finish their season against the St Louis Rams on Dec. 17 and the Carolina Panthers on Christmas Eve. A win today could stroke some battered egos and bodies and could put this team in a position to win most of its remaining games. But don't bet the ranch on a Washington victory today.

(Gunter is executive editor of The Daily News Leader.) Will bye week rejuventate Redskins? Chargers roll past Holston in Region Several prognosticators predict 'the Washington Redskins will win their fourth game today in their shootout with the Seattle Seahawks at RFK Stadium. RICK GUNTER I learned long ago to be wary of optimists. On top of that, the past three Redskin campaigns would turn most any optimist into a pessimist. Fact is, I have a bad feeling about this game. Yes, the 'Skins have had a Couple of weeks to mend body and soul after two awful losses and a season gone sour, not to mention more injuries than a MASH unit Could handle.

Given ordinary circumstances, the Redskins should win today. But these are anything but ordinary times for this franchise. But there are bright spots. The squad's leading re- ii tmi .1 A vciver, ncuiy t-umu, i cachcu tsee some playing time. The other Starting wide receiver, rookie Michael Westbrook, also is expected to play after a three-game absence that seems like three years.

Westbrook, both the recipient and victim of lavish praise early in the season, has the potential to become the 1995 version of Desmond Howard, which is no compliment. Howard, you'll remember, came out of Michigan a Heis-man Trophy winner and, for whatever reason, never developed as had been hoped. He eventually was shipped off to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Westbrook is bigger and stronger than Howard, but psychologically he seems about on the same pace at this point. He held out for the big contract got it, finally worked his way into the games and missed one catch after another that could have meant victories for this team before injuries took him out.

Even the diplomatic Ellard has questioned Westbrook's work ethic. Perhaps the presence of another prize rookie, Seattle's Joey Galloway, will motivate Westbrook to step it up a level or two. Galloway was selected in the last NFL draft four places below Westbrook, but he has played heads and shoulders above the Washington receiver. In the Hawks' game last week against the expansion Jaguars, Galloway took a reverse back 86 yards, a run of sheer power and beauty. He scored three times against the Jags in the Hawks' win.

He has caught 39 passes for 650 yards, clearly making him the most exciting rookie receiver of the season. But back to the 'Skins' medical report, which is about the only thing V' By JOHNNY GAZZOLA Sports Writer COVINGTON Robbed of a home-field advantage because of a four-inch Tuesday snowstorm, the Bath County Chargers nevertheless continued their strong football act at Alleghany County Mountaineers' field Saturday afternoon by bombarding Holston out of the Hogoheegee District 27-6 in the first round of the Region Division 1 playoffs. The victory propels the Chargers into the regional championship at home either next Friday or Saturday against BlandRocky Gap, a 27-16 winner over Covington on Saturday. It was a typical Bath County victory that featured 415 yards of total offense, four touchdowns and rock-ribbed defense that limited the visiting Cavaliers to but 83 yards rushing and 118 yards passing. The Cavaliers only touchdown surfaced in the fourth period with 5:34 left and Bath leading 27-0.

Ivan "The Bull" Franklin continued his rushing prowess as he posted a total of 156 yards on 23 carries and got Bath on the scoreboard in the second quarter when he culminated an 87-yard drive with his 2-yard scoring run..