North Carolina Football Association (NCFA)

In a crazy back and forth game the Popes had a shot to tie it up, but just couldn't quite do it having to turn the ball over on the Wilson 3yd line. James Riviera had a huge game for the Popes racking up 280yds on kick returns and helping to setup two touchdowns. This was perhaps a preview of the playoffs and both teams really wanted the win. This made for a very exciting game and In the end the real difference was turnovers. Wilson forced two and the Popes got none.

Wilson
Jeff Gray 17/29 172yds 2TDs
Anthony Bailey 28car/96yds
Brandon Sanders 12 tackles
Pete Tharpe 4 tackles 1 knockdown 1 Int

Salisbury
Van Egger 28/43 253yds 2TDs 1Int
David Harley 11car/29yds 1TD 1Fumble
Joseph Varghese 20tt/15rec/129yds
James Riviera 9tt/5rec/40yds 2TDs 6kick returns/280yds



Bailey played great, often breaking tackles to reap an extra three or four yards out of a well-covered run, and Wilson's officials--three guys who got $40 each for the night and who normally drive trucks for Marty Cook's PET milk distribution franchise--made some interesting calls. "Chuck Russell and I are going to tie our hands behind our backs the next time we come to Wilson," said Salisbury CB1 James Weiss, who, like Russell, was twice flagged for defensive-holding penalties on third-down plays where the Popes' defense had stopped Wilson short of first downs. The highly emotional Weiss frequently flirted with unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties by berating officials throughout the rainy game. When Gary Crossland hurdled to the goal line late in the fourth quarter, one official signaled touchdown while another indicated Crossland was stopped just inside the 1-yard line. The officials conferred briefly before awarding Crossland and the Tobs the go-ahead (and eventual game-winning touchdown). "Those guys should really get their story straight before the snap," mockingly said Weiss after the game.