Fort Hill comeback sinks Keyser, 20-19
Cumberland Times-News
September 16, 2006

Mallow's kick following Yurko's TD caps Sentinels furious rally

KEYSER - Drew Yurko scored on a five yard run with 1:26 left in the game and Levi Mallow kicked what proved to be the winning point as the Fort Hill Sentinels battled back from a 19-0 deficit to defeat Keyser 20-19 Friday night at Keyser's Stayman Field.

Fort Hill, which beat Frankfort 42-7 last week, is 2-0. Keyser falls to 2-1.

After struggling with their blocking, tackling and pass defense in the first half, the Sentinels started moving the ball on the ground and was able to take advantage of Keyser mistakes.

The biggest break for Fort Hill came with four minutes left and Keyser clinging to a 19-13 lead. A high snap sailed over the head of the Golden Tornado and gave the Sentinels the ball at the Keyser 22-yard line.

Junior tailback Corey Taylor, who played a key role in the second half comeback, went nine yards on two carries before junior fullback Scott Rice blasted six yards for a first down at the six. Rice was then stopped for only one yard on two carries to set up the third-and-goal at the five.

With the middle plugged up, Fort Hill coach Barry Lattimer decided to go with something outside. Yurko took a pitch from quarterback Rich Shook to the left side and was able to go in for the touchdown. Mallow's second successful kick was right down the middle.

The Keyser defense shut down Fort Hill in the first half and senior transfer quarterback Waishard White was able to come up with some big pass plays that led to a 13-0 halftime lead.

In the Golden Tornado's first touchdown drive, White connected with his 6-foot-4 All-Area receiver Tyrell Clay with a 27-yard pass and then found tight end Bryce Lyons on a 35-yard scoring strike with 5:36 left in the half. Scott Smith kicked the extra point.

White, who completed 10-of-19 passes for 189 yards, hit Clay in the end zone for another 35-yard scoring strike with 1:36 remaining before the break. The kick failed.

On Keyser's first offensive play of the second half after the Golden Tornado recovered a Fort Hill fumble, fullback Brandon Roy went 50 yards for the touchdown with 9:43 left in the third quarter. A run for two points failed.

Fort Hill then made a switch from the wing T to the I-formation and the move appeared to catch the Keyser defense off guard.

On their second possession of the second half the Sentinels went 62 yards on nine plays with Rice scoring the first touchdown on a four-yard run with 6:05 left in the quarter. Rice also had a big 25-yard run in the drive. Mallow kicked the extra point.

A pass interference call against Keyser nullified an interception and was a key to Fort Hill getting its second touchdown. One play after the penalty, Shook completed his only pass of the night, finding Zack Blank open down at the 10-yard line for the 39-yard scoring strike with 7:33 left. A high snap led to an incomplete pass on the conversion attempt.

Fort Hill rushed the ball 43 times for 149 yards and Rice finished the night with 96 yards on 20 carries. Taylor had 48 yards on 10 attempts.

Clay had four catches for 124 yards and Roy rushed 12 times for 75 yards for Keyser.

Fort Hill will host Musselman and Keyser will be at Boonsboro Friday night.