MINFORD – Don’t be surprised if the Chesapeake Panthers don’t open their own ward at River Valley Health System.

Monday, September 18, 2000

MINFORD – Don’t be surprised if the Chesapeake Panthers don’t open their own ward at River Valley Health System.

Injuries knocked out three starters and the Panthers watched a 19-0 lead evaporate in a 20-19 loss to the Minford Falcons Friday night.

Starting fullback and linebacker Zeb Best and defensive end Erick Christian both left the game in the first quarter and didn’t return. Quarterback Luke Beach sustained a concussion in the third quarter and left the game.

To make matters worse, leading rusher Josh Waugh sprained an ankle in the fourth quarter and played with a taped ankle the rest of the game.

"We played pretty well the first half. We lost Zeb in the first quarter and it hurt us more at linebacker than at fullback. Then we lose Christian in the first quarter and he’s the defensive end on Best’s side. They attacked that side on the last drive," said Davis.

"We just ran out of people."

Chesapeake used a 45-yard pass from Josh Waugh to Christian on a fake punt to take a 7-0 lead at the six minute mark of the first quarter. Jimmy Kinder kicked the point after.

Waugh added a 1-yard run three minutes later to make it 13-0, and he raced 80 yards for the third score with six minutes left in the half and it was 19-0.

Then more disaster hit the Panthers.

Two penalties back the ball up to the Chesapeake 5-yard line, and Minford blocked the punt attempt with Greg Shirey falling on the ball in the end zone for the touchdown. Eli Parkes kicked the point after and it was 19-7.

"We should have had another touchdown the first half. We line up to punt and we get another penalty, then we jump offside, and we’re backed up with two substitutes in the game and they have a guy come in untouched and block the punt," said Davis.

Parkes went 10 yards for a touchdown with 2:20 left in the third quarter to close the gap to 19-13, and it was Parkes running 8 yards with 1:01 left to play to tie the game. Parkes then kicked the extra point to give his team the lead and eventual win.

Waugh finished with 134 yards on 11 carries for Chesapeake. The Panthers outgained the Falcons 275-272.

Donald Duncan had an interception for the Panthers, 2-2. Chesapeake was penalized eight times for 60 yards. Minford was not called for a foul.