BATTLE OF BRIDGE GOES TO ST. ALBANS

Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 10/10/1987
Page: P1B
Headline: BATTLE OF BRIDGE GOES TO ST. ALBANS
Byline: DOUG HOBBS

- LThe St. Albans Red Dragons used a unstoppable running game,
311 yards, to win the "Battle of the Bridge' against the Nitro
Wildcats, 38-6, at Crawford Field on Friday night in St. Albans.
The Red Dragons scored on their first three possessions of the
game setting the tone for the contest.
"Our kids came to play, we got some breaks and things went our
way,' said St. Albans coach Stan Smith.
St. Albans' first score came with 6:02 remaining in the opening
quarter when tailback Eric Wiley leaped into the end zone from three
yards out. The score capped an 86-yard drive.
On their second possession, the Red Dragons drove 60 yards with
Dean Williams bulling his way in from the one. The touchdown was set
up by a 56-yard bomb from Chris Williams to Wiley on a third and
20 play.
After the game, Dean Williams said, "I knew it was going to be
a tough game but felt if we jumped on them at the beginning we
could control the line of scrimmage.'
Nitro scored on a 40-yard scoring strike from senior Scott Dixon
to sophomore Matt McNeel on the first play of the second quarter.
The drop kicked extra point was blocked and St. Albans lead 14-6.
St. Albans took the ensuing kickoff and drove 63 yards on 6
yards with Wiley scoring on a 6-yard run to make it 21-6.
After a nine-yard punt, St. Albans got the ball on the Nitro 21
.Chris Willilams passed to Tony Dunlap for the score and a 28-6 lead
only 36 seconds before halftime.
The Wildcats were able to move the ball in the first half but
they were plagued by turnovers. The Red Dragons intercepted three
passes.
"They were more ready to play than we were,' said Nitro coach
Pat Vance. "They controlled the line of scrimmage and ran the ball
well.'
St. Albans started the second half with a 56-yard, 7-play drive
. Dean Williams went up the middle for 17 yards and the score.
Williams finished with 111 yards on 11 carries.
Down 35-6, Nitro then put together its longest drive, going 70
yards to St. Albans' 12 before a Dixon pass was picked off by Shawn
Lucas.
St. Albans put its running attack in full gear to run the clock
down. The Dragons moved the ball from their 7 to the Nitro 29 before
missing a 46-yard field goal.
Nitro fumbled the ball away on its next possession and St.
Albans, behind sophomore tailback Tony Williams, moved into position
for a 40-yard field goal by Tim Willard, making the final score 38-6
St. Albans, 5-2, travels to East Bank next week while Nitro,
4-3, enjoys a week off before playing at home against Duponton the
23rd of October.ST. ALBANS3B St. Albans 3B
D.WILLIAMS