POCA BLANKS NITRO
Publication: THE
Published: 09/17/1994
Page: P 1C
Headline: POCA BLANKS NITRO
Byline: JIM WORKMAN
POCA _ For a team that lost three
fumbles and was whistled for nine penalties, the Poca
Dots appeared
to have performed flawlessly in comparison to the effort by visiting
Nitro.
The Dots rolled over the mistake-prone Cats 31-0 Friday night at
O.O. White Stadium in Poca.
The Dots' offense was led by Jimmy Cooks, who ran for 145 yards
on 22 carries, As a team, Poca
totalled 329 yards on the ground and
controlled the clock for most of the game.
Both teams sputtered coming out of the gate. Poca
fumbled on
its fourth play from scrimmage and Nitro recovered. Nitro was forced
to punt, then held the Dots, only to give up the ball itself on
a fumble.
All told, five fumbles were lost in the contest and the first
quarter was scoreless.
Poca took advantage of the first Nitro miscue,
scoring when back
Charlie Hartley hit Heath Null for a 4-yard touchdown on a halfback
option.
"We capitalized on their turnovers,' said Poca
head coach Bob
Lemley. "Our quarterback really came of age
tonight, too.'
Poca quarterback Chris McClanahan rose to the
occasion, carrying
11 times for 87 yards while completing 3-of-5 passes.
"Chris made good decisions,' added Lemley.
"He's not real
big, but he's a real competitor, a gutty player.'
"I guess I did mature tonight,' said McClanahan. "But we
played as a team. We were fired up.'
McClanahan's performance stands out when you consider it was
only the senior's fourth varsity football game. McClanahan hadn't
played football since middle school.
"I just didn't think I wanted to play football, but my dad and
I talked it over, and I decided to give it shot,' McClanahan stated
. "I didn't even think about playing quarterback. I was going to
play defense.'
Poca added McClanahan's 29-yard scamper for a TD and
a 19-yard
field goal by Seth Lyle before the half to make it 17-0.
Poca's defense is not to be overlooked. Nitro, who
came into
the contest undefeated, was shut down offensively, gaining only 38
yards total. Nitro QB Dan Taylor was 4-for-9 passing, but threw
three interceptions. The Wildcats managed only four first downs.
"Our kids played hard,' said Lemley. "We
contained
and he's their main threat. Our line really did an outstanding job,
too.'
McClanahan tacked on a second-half touchdown run, and Seth Lyle
took a end around over for another late score, sealing
the Dot
victory.
Poca must face another big challenge next Friday as
it travels
to East Bank.
"We have to play with the same intensity that we had
tonight,'said Lemley.
"This was a big win for us because we felt
our backs were against the wall.'
Nitro will host Ripley Friday night.