1994 Powell Valley @ Appalachia (Article)

<span style='font-size: 14pt'>The Post</span>
"Published in Big Stone Gap, Virginia since 1890!"
Wednesday, November 16, 1994


<span style='font-size: 14pt'>Vikings Win LPD Crown</span>
PV holds off Appy, 27-26

BY JOHNNY TEGLAS

Keith who?

The question most certainly will be the topic of conversation around town over the next few days. But that's okay. Sophomore defensive tackle Keith Esteppe won't mind.

Grinning ear-to-ear after sacking Appalachia's freshman quarterback Travis Turner and sealing Powell Valley's 27-26 Lonesome Pine District championship victory Friday night, the 6-1, 209-pound 10th grader shyly described his contribution to one of the most prolific matchups between the two high school rivals.

"We just saw pass and rushed in on them," he explained. "I'm only a sophomore and I guess that was my most important play ever."

What an opportune time to introduce yourself to the league. With his teammates swarming around Bulldog receivers, Esteppe powered his way through a thicket of blockers and stormed toward Turner with just a couple of minutes to go. The Appalachia quarterback tried to elude the pressure, pulling up on his first pump and then ducked. Esteppe pressed onward and dragged him down, thwarting the Bulldogs' two-point conversion attempt and preserving the ever-so-slim win.

That play--turned in by a virtual unknown--was a fitting end to a classic clash between conference heavyweights. Billed as a battle between big-name backs and all-state performers, it ultimately came down to role players.

"We have a little more experience but probably not as much talent," Powell Valley coach Phil Robbins explained after his club picked up its first LPD title since 1990 when a star-studded Viking unit marched to the second of back-to-back Division 2 state championships. "But I don't think we've ever had a bunch of kids who played together this well as a team."

"There was too many kids who made big plays, you can't single any of them out," defensive coordinator Barry Jones said after his unit weathered an 89-yard Appalachia scoring drive that led to the crucial try for two. "These kids are great, that's all I can say. They came through when they had to."

And with 2:03 left on the clock, Esteppe did just that.

Thanks to a 15-point third period performance, the Vikings overcame a six-point halftime deficit and edged ahead, 27-20, on tailback Thomas Jones' 1-yard burst and Jason McCoy's PAT. Powell Valley snapped a 20-20 deadlock just before the first half concluded.

Defending three-time district champ Appalachia couldn't move the ball on its ensuing possession but came up with a critical defensive play midway through the fourth when Tony Gollaway darted into the Viking backfield and wrestled Jones to the turf on fourth down at the Bulldog 11.

Gollaway's hit came with 7:25 to play and was just the lift Appalachia needed. Relying on gutsy running by Larry Huff and a couple of key connections between Turner, Todd Jessee and Travis Clark, the Bulldogs marched toward the end zone. A little over five minutes later, Turner rifled a 3-yard touchdown pass to Chris Mabe and closed the gap to a single point.

After both clubs used time outs to size the other up prior to the conversion attempt, Esteppe stepped into the limelight.

"I'd rather have a one-point win up here stopping them on a two-point conversion play as to win in a blowout," an ecstatic Robbins said after clinching the win and finishing the regular season at 8-2, 6-0 in LPD play.

"How many two-point conversions have they made in their lifetime?" he pondered aloud. "Millions!"

Not on this night, though.

Appalachia was 1-for-4 in the conversion department, the only successful two-point try coming just before halftime when Turner hit Jessee after teaming up with Mabe on a 14-yard TD that gave his 8-2 (5-1) club a 20-12 lead.

Robbins suspected the game played in front of more than 5,000 nail-biting spectators could come down to defensive execution. It was especially important since the Vikings had to overcome four first-half turnovers--a fumble, an interception, and two muffed punt receptions.

That wasn't the case early on. Capitalizing on an impressive line surge, Powell Valley quickly turned its opening possession into six points. Jones put the finishing touches on a 77-yard drive, exploding into the end zone off right tackle from two yards out with 5:32 left in the opening frame.

Appalachia wasn't able to take advantage of a 48-yard Sam Sellers return on the ensuing kickoff but benefited from Powell Valley's first turnovers on the punt with Mabe recovering the loose ball at the Viking 25. Six plays later, big Michael Myers--half of Appalachia's twin tandem that plays in the backfield about as much as on the line--burrowed over from the 1. Huff was stopped shy of the goal line on the conversion, leaving the game tied at 6-6.

Sellers snuffed out Powell Valley's initial second-period series by intercepting Ryan Witt in the end zone and then Mabe came up with yet another recovery with 9:10 on the clock when Jessee stripped the ball from Jones near midfield. Still unable to move the ball, Appalachia had to kick away but again made a move when Huff smothered another muffed Viking punt reception.

That final turnover resulted in Appalachia points with Huff following guard Harold Bowman into the end zone with 5:29 to go.

Powell Valley bounced right back thanks to a spectacular open-field run by Jones on a counter trap. The LPD's top rusher, who finished the night with 154 yards on 28 carries, put on a clinic with his 45-yard score that knotted things up, 12-12, with 3:19 left before the break.

Appalachia bounced right back, however, and scored nine plays later when Turner hit Mabe from the Viking 14. The drive covered 65 yards and put the Bulldogs on top by eight, 20-12, when Turner spotted Jessee deep in the end zone on the conversion.

The Vikings capitalized on Appalachia's inability to handle the second half kickoff to even the score. Todd Zirkle's wicked kick bounced in front of and over Appalachia's deep men, leaving the Bulldogs under the shadow of their goal posts at the 3. Taking advantage of a PV bounce on a short punt four plays later, the Vikings set up shop at Appalachia's 20. Facing fourth-and-five at the Bulldog 15, Witt made his major contribution of the night, looking off his primary receiver and spotting Zirkle in the right corner of the end zone.

He then fired to McCoy on a crossing pattern on the conversion to tie the game.

Jones' 1-yard run with under a minute to go in the third and McCoy's kick gave the Vikings the advantage that eventually withstood the test of Appalachia's late-game rally.

"It was just a hell of a game and I loved to play in it," Appalachia's Chris Mabe said.

"I hated losing but I loved playing in it. This game is over and we've got four more to go onto and that's what we're going to do."

One of the best games I've ever seen. And if I'm not mistaken, cold as the arctic that night.

all who was at that game raise your hand !

Present

Yep, remember that game, P.V. should have won it by 10 points, one cornerback for P.V. got burned 2 times resulting in points for Appy.

I got lucky and found that newspaper in a drawer in my bedroom . . must have been one that my dad had stored from years ago. When I found it and saw the year was 94 and that it covered the PV/Appy game, I was all over it and figured I'd share it with you guys.

Just judging by the article alone, it seemed like it was a hell of a game. Was it on par with the 97 matchup? It almost seems like it just by reading it.

There are also pictures of Thomas Jones and a few other in-game pictures, plus a team picture of the 1994 Vikings. If I ever get the time to get my scanner back up and working I may try and scan a few photos.

There are also a few articles highlighting the upcoming playoff games such as Appalachia versus Burton and Powell Valley versus Clintwood. Something else I found interesting about it was that in 1994, both Appalachia and Powell Valley won the state championship that year and both featured 12-2 overall records.

Appy beat Norton, then beat the everloving dog [censored] out of Twin Springs to win the Region D title. Appy's D recorded no less than 12 sacks that day.

LOL I wonder how many they had against Middlesex? I was looking through the scores in the early 90's and I saw that during that year (94) they beat them in the state title game 72-7. Damn, talk about a thrashing!

How in the hell did they beat them by a score of that magnitude? Did Middlesex suck that badly? Or was Appalachia just that pissed off about what happened the year before? When you look at the scores in Appalachia's previous games that year, they all look believable, then all the sudden in the state title game, *WHAM* it's a massacre!

EDIT - Anyone have any more information on this? I tried looking up some information on the Appy--Middlesex state title game in 1994 and ran across this interesting document commending the Appalachia football team of 1994:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...?951+ful+HJ443

how times have changed.

I don't remember the cold.

I know how it feels to get beat by an Appy team like that in the playoffs. We at least scored two TDs though. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PassMan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">LOL I wonder how many they had against Middlesex? I was looking through the scores in the early 90's and I saw that during that year (94) they beat them in the state title game 72-7. Damn, talk about a thrashing!

How in the hell did they beat them by a score of that magnitude? Did Middlesex suck that badly? Or was Appalachia just that pissed off about what happened the year before? When you look at the scores in Appalachia's previous games that year, they all look believable, then all the sudden in the state title game, *WHAM* it's a massacre!

EDIT - Anyone have any more information on this? I tried looking up some information on the Appy--Middlesex state title game in 1994 and ran across this interesting document commending the Appalachia football team of 1994:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...?951+ful+HJ443 </div></div>
Middlesex started out with a little taunting, "flashback, flashback" and a scoring drive. Their QB only threw for ...mmmm maybe 300 yards in the whole season. Field was muddy and once it got started, it got worse. They played wide line splits and it seemed they wanted Appy in the backfield. They got them.

Middlesex ran straight down the field on their first drive and I thought the Dawgs were in trouble. Little did I know that Middlesex would not have another first down after that drive and the Dawgs would score 72 unanswered.

Memorable moments from the game (maybe not the game itself):

Seeing a Middlesex fan waving a white flag.

Being unfortunate enough to sit near Chris Kelly.

Misty rain all day.

Never seeing a worse playing field in my life.

After the elation of winning, realizing that we still had an 8 hour drive home!

for some odd reason I went to this game and yes, it was pretty cool that day and the misty rain didn't help.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mik_Mo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Middlesex ran straight down the field on their first drive and I thought the Dawgs were in trouble. Little did I know that Middlesex would not have another first down after that drive and the Dawgs would score 72 unanswered.

Memorable moments from the game (maybe not the game itself):

Seeing a Middlesex fan waving a white flag.

Being unfortunate enough to sit near Chris Kelly.

Misty rain all day.

Never seeing a worse playing field in my life.

After the elation of winning, realizing that we still had an 8 hour drive home! </div></div>

Watched it on the old channel 37 a few years ago. The best play of the game was when the fan from Middlesex waved the white flag trying to "surrender".

LMFAO that's just priceless!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Being unfortunate enough to sit near Chris Kelly.</div></div>

[img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

I was at the game as well...but if I remember correctly, Appy wsa riding a 3 game winning streak over PV...Pv wasn't the favorite that night either.

If you want to know the honest truth about it Appalachia coudnt win the 1993 game against Middlesex because of an inelgible player..#17 Jason Evans was thrown out of the state semi game against Rural Retreat in the final minutes and per VHSL rules was suppose to sit out the next game against Middlesex but decided to fight the VHSL as well as the coaches..His mother took coach Turner with a court order and as a result of that court order coach Turner had to play the young man anyway...THe VHSL woudnt budget and instead said if he plays and we win we must forfeit the title or be put on probation the next season...We had too many great players coming back for the next season so we pretty much didnt have a choice...If you ask anyone around the Appalachia Community or the 93 team they will tell you the same thing...The sad thing is we were 13-0 and could have finshed with a perfect season and all it took was one turd to ruin it all...Anyone that reads this please remember that all it takes is one trouble maker to ruin a football team...

I don't remember details of the game as I was only 6 years old in 1994. I just remember it being cold.

Sitting with two of my sisters who were in the PV band at the time.

Then my and the youngest of my sisters having to sit with Mom and Dad on the Appalachia side with our PV clothes.

Paying attention only to the bands.




I saw the score of the 1995 PV/Appy game. What was it 55 to 6? Sounds like PV gave Appy quite the thrashing that season.

I remember a similar situation came up in 2002 I think. I was in about 9th grade at the time. If PV had lost then I think Haysi would have outpointed PV for the D2 playoffs. The score was 21 to 20 in favor of PV. About 2 minutes left in the game I believe Luke Spurlock intercepts a pass from Josh Mabe. I remember playing Superman with the brass on that one. PV runs out the clock. Appalachia should have beaten PV by three touchdowns that season.

You're exactly right about the 2002 game, Trumpet. I remember watching it there at Appalachia and it was a heck of a game. Pretty close all the way through and I remember the interception that basically sealed the win .. everyone went crazy.

I'd say that was the best game Appalachia and Powell Valley have had versus one another since the late 90's, which is unfortunate. I think it also seems a little weird that a 'state-title contender' could have been taken down by a team that didn't even make it past the first round of playoffs seeing as how PV was stopped by Honaker in their first postseason game.

When you look at some of Appalachia's playoff/postseason games in 2002, though, there were some pretty interesting moments.

First was the 14-6 win over Burton in extremely muddy conditions, limiting both teams and preventing either from doing much of anything on Offense. Appalachia had a very close call in that game when most probably wouldn't have expected it. Then at the half-state game they whooped up on Bath Co. 42-14, but at the time it seems like Bath County's star quarterback was injured and didn't even see much playing time, so that had an effect I'm sure. Rather than a close game as most would have guessed, it ended up being more lopsided than any of their previous playoff games. And this was the half-state game, of them all! Who'da thunk-it?

I wonder if PV just had a bad game versus Honaker or if the competition Appalachia faced on the road to the state title was really that bad? Or, perhaps, was it that William Campbell was just really THAT DAMNED GOOD? Keep in mind this is pure speculation and that I could be completely wrong (and have often been before). Maybe someone knows the answer to this and more about the competition in the area at that time and at each level.

I remember being shocked when I heard the results of Appalachia's game versus William Campbell because on the Saturday just before, I was behind them at UVA-Wise when they absolutely crushed Bath County. It seemed so surreal to see what I thought was an 'unstoppable' team get absolutely embarassed by WC. My dad recorded the game when they aired it on one of the local channels and it was painful even to watch. Every time someone would get the ball, it would take no fewer than three Appalachia defenders to even bring them down. Man, what a crazy turn-around that year . . right at the very end of the road, of all places for it to happen.

I still say that pass skidded on the ground and Spurlock did an excellent job of disquising it.

From what I remember about the Honaker game, PV got on the board first due to a safety. After that they scored a TD and missed the PAT. The halftime score was like 8 to 0 in favor of PV. PV had a pretty decent first half but the defense made some crucial mistakes and gave up twelve points to Honaker. I think the last play that decided the game was an incomplete pass or a Honaker guy making a good tackle?

That game, from what I remember was very cold, rainy, and muddy. That slowed both teams down. PV probably should have won in a close one but what should happen doesn't always happen. Have to give it to Honaker. They didn't give up.

I went and watched the GC/Honaker game with my dad a week later. Figured it would have been over 2 minutes going into the game. Honaker stepped it up and gave Gate City a bit of trouble. From what I remember, the special teams I think gave GC the winning touchdowns. The final score was 21 to 6. Was closer than the score indicated.

I remember listening to the Appy/Bath game while getting ready for a Christmas parade. I thought that the game would either be just really close if Appy won or a thrashing if Bath Co. won. Was wrong.

The GC/GW game wasn't a shocker as GW was supposedly peaking at the right time of the season and GC seemed to be complacent from the looks of the Honaker game though on paper GC probably should have beat GW's socks off and won state with ease but that didn't happen.

I remember the 49 to Goose Egg game PV had against GC that year. PV just got clobbered.

Remember coming home from all-district tryouts at John Battle. Our bus driver had the game on the radio. Once we got on the bus to go home the bus driver told me Appalachia was losing 28 to 0 at the half. Then it's like WC tore through them like a bull in a china shop. I remember them talking about the William Campbell taking a bow 15 seconds left in the game. Ridiculous. From the sounds of it WC could have won state in D4 that year. I guess karma happened against Appalachia from the times they beat teams like Pound 78 to 0.

Good post, thanks for the info. http://www.hostboard.com/LDPforum/ub.../thumbs_up.gif

It sounds like the field conditions during the PV/Honaker game must have been similar to those in the Appy/Burton game. They were both on the same day so it would make sense.

Rain Rain Rain the field was nothing but mud.