SA'S FIRST WIN COMES IN OT VS. NIRTO 27-21

Publication: THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE
Published: 09/18/1999
Page: P2B
Headline:SA'S FIRST WIN COMES IN OT VS. NIRTO 27-21
Byline: NOT AVAIALBLE

Despite six turnovers and despite trailing much of the way, St. Albans
hit the win column Friday night.

Mike Keiffer scored on a 10-yard run in the second overtime at
Crawford Field to lift the host Red Dragons to a 27-21 victory over
neighboring rival Nitro.

St. Albans (1-3) went first in the second OT and scored on Keiffer's
run, then wrapped up the win when the Wildcats (2-2) fumbled it away
on their second play.

"Any way is a good way to get your first win,' said SA coach Greg
Cyrus. "When you turn the ball over six times and win, that's not
bad.'

Nitro led 7-0 in the first half and went up 14-7 in the fourth quarter
on a 19-yard run off a reverse by Clarence Joyner. But SA tied it at
14-all with just 3:26 left in the fourth quarter on an improbable
81-yard pass from Dustin Campbell to Dusty Herscher.

Both teams are given first downs at their opponents' 20 to start the
OT periods.

Nitro grabbed a 21-14 edge on a TD pass from Derek Midkiff to tight
end C.J. Stewart. St. Albans tied it at 21 on a 2-yard run by Keiffer.
A pass interference call in the end zone helped keep the drive alive.

Keiffer finished with 99 yards on 30 carries. Campbell completed
2-of-8 passes for 96 yards.

For Nitro, Chris Creamer piled up 165 yards on 35 carries, while
Midkiff hit on 8-of-13 passes for 112 yards and was picked off twice.
Nitro had three turnovers and matched mistakes much of the way with
SA.

"That's been a bugaboo for us all year,' Cyrus said. "We fumbled once
at their 1 tonight.

"We felt we were better than them and we thought we could beat them.
We knew we could come back if we got field position.'

Nitro entered the game tied for 12th in the Class AAA playoff ratings.