FIFTH DOWN LOOMS LARGE FOR RIPLEY

Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 11/08/1996
Page: P5C
Headline: FIFTH DOWN LOOMS LARGE FOR RIPLEY
Byline: TOM ALUISE

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Ripley Coach Frank Marino said his team has never recovered from its
fifth-down loss to Nitro.

"It has affected us all year,' said Marino, whose 6-3 Vikings face a
must-win game at Man tonight to keep their playoff hopes alive. "It's
always been in the back of our minds that maybe they would give us
that.'

The SSAC's Board of Appeals, though, voted against Ripley's request to
award Nitro the victory but strike the game from the Vikes' schedule.

Nitro beat Ripley, 20-18, on Sept. 27 at Nitro with the help of an
inadvertent fifth down on Ripley's 9-yard line during the Wildcats'
game-winning drive.

A three-game suspension of the officiating crew, handed out by the
SSAC, was upheld by the Board of Appeals.

Had Ripley defeated Nitro, the Vikings already would have clinched a
playoff berth, while the Wildcats would be battling to get in.

"We're going to have a hard time at Man,' Marino said.