By By Brian Craig Robinson / special to The Star
Aug. 30, 2002
NOXAPATER After a tough fought first half in which the Noxapater Tigers defense confused the visiting Weir squad, the Lions capitalized on five second half turnovers to dominate the homestanding Noxapater squad, 40-0.
Weir started the second half with a 12-0 lead and the ball, but quickly fumbled, giving Noxapater the ball and the momentum, but Noxapater gave it right back. After a Weir punt, Noxapater fumbled for the second time in the half; turning the ball over at the Noxapater 24 yard line. Antonio Young followed by running the ball to the 25. Weir's next score came on a pass play from Larium Miller to Flanker Eric Hoskins who streaked to the endzone giving Weir a commanding 18-0 lead. Weir converted the extra point to make it 19-0.
Weir workhorse Charles Docher returned a punt 40 yards for another score.
After the extra point, Weir was up 26-0.
Although Noxapater could not handle the tough Lions squad, everyone was very impressed with senior linebacker Sed Eichelberger. "If you want to talk about a sure enough good ballplayer, you need to look no further than No. 11 (Eichelberger)," Edge said.
One of the few bright spots came in the first quarter when Eichelberger stood tall from his linebacker position and advanced the ball from the Tiger 44 to the Weir 38 (4:46 first quarter). Noxapater managed to gain a first down on a quarter back keeper to the Weir 28, but eventually stalled, turning the ball over on downs.
By the time the dust had settled, Noxapater had had committed enough turnovers to give Weir a short field for the entire half, as evident by Weir's total of only 90 yards on the ground.
Weir's pair of running backs, Charles Docher and Macedric Pratt controlled the ball, running up the gut, and Ben Henson tossed a pair of touchdowns to pace the visiting Weir Lions.