Steam Pull Out a Win
May 11, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Roanoke Steam News Release
Roanoke, VA - With their regular starting quarterback inactive for tonight, and their main backup injured at the end of the first half, the Roanoke Steam still managed to will themselves to victory in a hard-fought, 27-23 contest versus the Norfolk Nighthawks.
The Steam, who entered tonight's matchup on a three-game winning streak, found themselves down early by 10 points, thanks to an offense that couldn't get going and a Nighthawks team that was obviously intent on pulling off the upset. Former Steam QB Roy Johnson led a sporadic vertical attack for the gold-and-white, connecting with OS Gary Briggs twice in the first half for touchdowns.
Roanoke held tough, notching their first touchdown on an Anthony Hines sweep toss towards the end of the first half. However, starting QB Al Clark went down with an injury right before the break, leaving Roanoke's success in question.
The second half saw backup QB Mike Volarvich, activated this week from injured reserve, enter the game to try and spark the anemic Roanoke offense. Neither team could produce much in the third quarter, however, and Norfolk entered the final stanza leading 23-13.
But the Roanoke Steam were not to be denied, as the defense upped the pressure on the Nighthawks. Roanoke registered 7 sacks on Norfolk quarterbacks, knocking starter Roy Johnson out of the game late in the fourth quarter.
Luck finally turned in favor of the Steam, as a bizarre bounce on a missed field goal attempt by Josh Jones ricocheted off a Nighthawk return man and landed in the endzone, where it was recovered by Steam WR/LB Quentin Ware-Bey for a touchdown.
That score revitalized the Steam, who used a long pass from Volarvich to OS Kenan McWhorter to set up a 1-yard QB sneak by Volarvich for the go-ahead score. That touchdown gave the Steam a 27-23 lead, which proved to be the final margin.
With the win, Roanoke moves to 4-2 overall, 2-1 in the Atlantic Division. Norfolk falls to 1-4 on the season. The victory was the first in series history for the Roanoke Steam, who trail in the overall series now 1-4.
Roanoke will be on the road next week, as they travel to Albany, NY to take on the Conquest. The Nighthawks will travel to Fayetteville to take on the Cape Fear Wildcats.
The offensive MVP of the game as named by the press was Steam WR/LB Anthony Hines, who scored one touchdown and pulled in three crucial catches late in the game. The ADT defensive player of the game was Derek Fudge, who registered several key hits late, including a sack of Norfolk QB Roy Johnson. The Built Ford Tough Ironman of the game was C/NG Toby Champion, who recorded a key late sack against Norfolk, as well as laying many key blocks on the offensive side of the ball.
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