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robert.anderson@roanoke.com 981-3123

Cougar Nation rocked 10 days ago when Pulaski County stunned William Fleming with a last-second comeback.

Fate almost rolled over on Pulaski on Monday night.

The Cougars scored three quick touchdowns and appeared headed for a blowout against Patrick Henry, but the visitors had to hold off a comeback by the Patriots for a 28-20 nondistrict win in Victory Stadium.

Pulaski senior wingback Ernie Hodge was relieved to head to the bus after the Cougars improved to 3-0.

"I think we took them lightly," Hodge said. "We started playing horrible. They were tougher than I expected. I didn't think they were going to come out like that. They've got a lot of heart, a lot of heart."

Pulaski had a lot of rushing yards - 326 - but PH overcame a 21-0 deficit with a defensive adjustment at halftime and the second-half passing of quarterback Mike Young.

Young's 20-yard touchdown pass to J.C. Simmons and two-point conversion lob to Kelvin Ford brought the Patriots to 28-20 with 5:33 to play. PH (1-3) stuffed Pulaski's next possession and got the ball back at its 36 with 3:36 remaining, but the Patriots were stopped without a first down.

It was the third straight loss by PH against a quality opponent. The Patriots led Amherst County late in the fourth quarter and dropped a close game to Jefferson Forest.

"The thing about high school football in this area right now ... you've got to bring it every night," Pulaski coach Jack Turner said. "There are no gimmes anymore in high school football.

"I said all week long, that team right there worried me as much as anybody we play. You've got to look at the people they're playing. I think those kids are gutsy. They hung in there. You saw it. My goodness, we were just marching the ball up and down the field and they just don't quit."

Fullback Kevin Crouse accounted for almost half the Cougars' total on the ground, rushing for 157 yards on 27 carries. Crouse scored three TDs on runs of 5 yards, 25 yards and 1 yard, and quarterback Ryan Dean had Pulaski's other score on a 1-yard run.

Patrick Henry, which had no running room all night, was forced to the air. Chris Martin hit Seth Chapman on a 24-yard halfback pass to cut the lead to 21-6 with 4:31 left in the first half. Chapman finished with four catches for 94 yards. Marcus Day had PH's second TD on a 2-yard run.

PH cannot afford many games with 13 yards rushing. Pulaski owned the line of scrimmage with big linemen such as Kasey McCambridge.

"It's hard to move those big guys out of the way," PH senior linebacker Jamie Hyatt said. "We don't have any of those big country boys in Roanoke. And if they're big, they go to Fleming."

Pulaski County14 7 0 7-28

Patrick Henry 0 6 6 8-20

PC - Crouse 5 run (Piscura kick)

PC - Crouse 25 run (Piscura kick)

PC - Dean 1 run (Piscura kick)

PH - Chapman 24 pass from Martin (kick blocked)

PH - Day 2 run (pass failed)

PC - Crouse 1 run (Piscura kick)

PH - Simmons 12 pass from Young (Ford pass from Young)

PC PH

First downs 16 14

Yards rushing 53-326 20-13

Passes C-A-I 0-3-0 14-28-0

Yards passing 0 235

Penalties-yards 3-35 3-15

Fumbles-lost 3-1 1-1

Punts-average 3-30 3-17

Individual statistics

RUSHING - Pulaski County, Crouse 27-157, Thompson 15-90, Hodge 6-72, Dean 4-4, Simmons 1-3. Patrick Henry, Day 9-18, Martin 2-4, Hyatt 1-3, Hodnett 2 -(-3), Young 6-(-9).

PASSING - Pulaski County, Dean 0-3-0-0. Patrick Henry, Young 12-26-0-198, Martin 2-2-0-37.

RECEIVING - Pulaski County, none. Patrick Henry, Chapman 4-94, Ford 3-72, Simmons 3-30, Day 2-29, Hodnett 2-10.