By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
By BRIAN HAINES
Sports Writer
CHOCOWINITY — After over 47 minutes off football, all that mattered in the end was the final five seconds.
Trailing Southside 45-42, Roanoke had already wiped out a 45-20 fourth-quarter deficit and was perched on the brink of the goal line, and victory, as it faced a fourth-and-inches situation on what would be the final play of the game.
After calling its last time out, Roanoke quarterback Reginald Parker took the snap and plunged one inch further than what was needed to hand the Redskins a stunning 48-45 victory over the Seahawks on a night they celebrated homecoming.
The seven-inch plunge completed a wild 28-7 run by the Redskins (2-7, 2-3) giving them their second straight win, and one of the best bus rides home they will ever have.
Parker’s plunge was by no means an easy call for the officials, who hesitated a minute before declaring the score.
Roanoke coach Brian Paschal said his plan was to just try and force the ball in.
“When you are six inches out you just have to go straight ahead and let the officials make the decision,” Paschal said.
Not only did the Redskins get a solid performance from Parker (12-21-160), who was clutch in the fourth quarter, but got strong rushing performances from running backs Dyquan Cross (two TDs) and Dwayne Morning (three TDs).
In a game where neither team did much defensively, the running game was the weapon of choice for Southside as well, as Lonnie Williams scored touchdown runs of 49, 49 and 50 yards.
Seahawks coach David Hines, whose team recently pulled off miracle comeback of its own when it reallied from a 30-8 halftime deficit to beat Plymouth two weeks ago, tipped his hat to Roanoke.give Roanoke all the credit in the world,” Hines said. “Their kids played hard, they didn’t give up and they made some great adjustments offensively and defensively. … They wanted it more in the end it looks like.”
Hines said the final play was tough to decipher, but took the high road when discussing the call.
“From one vantage point it looked like the one (official) who was blocked out called it a touchdown and the guy who was on our side was pointing down. I don’t know, you just trust there judgment.
Hines’ judgment came into question when he substituted for some of his first string players early in the fourth quarter when he was team was up 45-27. With first-string QB Terrill Moore on the bench, the Seahawks fumbled on consecutive plays. The second time was costly as it was turned into a Redskins touchdown that helped fuel the rally.
“The whole second unit wasn’t in, we put in the backup quarterback,” Hines said. “At that point we were up by three scores. We fumbled, they scored and I put the first offense back in. … (Roanoke) is just really good at getting turnovers.”
The Redskins will make a bid for their third straight win Friday when it plays at Northside, while the Seahawks (4-5, 2-3) will look to bounce back at Williamston.