varsity.roanoke.com

That was the situation for Pulaski County when it opened the 2004 season at home against Northside on Friday night. Questions were fewer, at least about the home team, after the Cougars hammered the Vikings 35-0 in the season opener for both teams at Dobson Stadium.

Pulaski County, which did not complete a pass, found alternate ways to reach the end zone, three of them coming on the same play. "Criss-cross," an inside reverse to the wingback, has been a signature play for the Cougars since they began running the wing-T, a set the program is still wedded to even after the coach who introduced it, Joel Hicks, has long since been retired.

The carnage began with the first of three Ernie Hodge TDs, all on the same play. The first one was 26 yards long and the second 35. Hodge's third score came from 6 yards out.

"We've been working on that play but haven't had a chance to run it in a game situation until tonight," Pulaski County coach Jack Turner said. "They did well."

Northside never seemed to know when it was coming. Turner thought that was because the Vikings were so aggressive defensively.

"They flew to that football and we were able to take advantage of it," he said. "They'll win some football games. We scrimmaged Bluefield, George Wythe and Heritage, and Northside had the toughest defense we've seen."

The Cougars were up to that test.

"The line just played great for us tonight," Hodge said. "The holes were there each time."

Kevin Crouse got the Pulaski offense going with a 74-yard sprint with 7:20 left in first quarter. Louis Piscura then proceeded to belt the first of five extra points. Piscura was a little fuzzy later after a collision in the kicking game, but did not appear to be too badly damaged.

Crouse had made up for a gaffe the play before when he'd been sanctioned for an illegal block on a kickoff.

Pulaski County outgained Northside 249-70 and held the Vikings to three first downs. Vikings coach Jim Hickam said a couple of key blockers left the team Monday.

"We had to start over offensively Monday night," he said. "I'm proud of what they were able to do in those circumstances."

Pulaski County finished the Vikings off with a 25-yard interception return by Austin Twine.

Northside 0 0 0 0 - 0

Pulaski County14 7 0 14 - 35

PC - Crouse 74 run (Piscura kick)

PC - Hodge 26 run (Piscura kick)

PC - Hodge 35 run (Piscura kick)

PC - Hodge 6 run (Piscura kick)

PC - Twine 25 interception return (Piscura kick)

Northside Pulaski

First downs 3 8

Yards rushing 59 249

Passes C-A-I 1-5-1 0-4-1

Yards passing 11 0

Penalties-yards 2-15 7-55

Fumbles-lost 2-2 1-1

Punts-average 7-29.1 4-39.5

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING - Northside, Dill 12-27, Llamas 8-2, Hobson 3-14, Myers 1-3, Creasy 2-(-6). Pulaski County, Crouse 11-108, Thompson 15-45, Hodge 5-82, Simmons 2-9, Ashworth 1-1, Montgomery 1-5.

PASSING - Northside, Creasy 1-5-1-11. Pulaski County, Dean 0-4-1-0 .

RECEIVING - Northside, Hunt 1-11.