Eagles' gamble proves costly

Region A, Division 2 football semifinal: W&L at King William

Date published: 11/21/2009

BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

CENTRAL GARAGE

That's because Tate had nothing to hang his head about.

The senior stepped in at quarterback after Bryan Burrell exited the Eagles' playoff contest against King William with a shoulder injury in the first quarter.

Tate played quarterback, running back and linebacker. He also punted, kicked off and returned punts.

His efforts weren't enough, however, as the Eagles dropped a hard-fought 27-20 road contest to the Cavaliers to end their season.

Washington & Lee head coach Malcolm Lewis said that if he has ever received more effort from a player in a game he doesn't remember it.

"He pretty much took the team and carried it right on his shoulders," Lewis said of Tate. "He's the gutsiest player we've got."

King William will visit Essex (11-0) in the regional championship game next Saturday at 1 p.m.

Tate nearly helped the No. 3-seeded Eagles (8-3) pull off the upset over No. 2 King William (9-2).

He amassed 169 yards of total offense and two touchdowns. He had a sack on defense.

"If he was off the field," Lewis said, "we were significantly less of a team."

Tate's 49-yard touchdown run gave W&L its first lead of the game at 14-13 with 9:54 left in the third quarter.

His 29-yard touchdown pass to Brooks (seven receptions, 90 yards) pulled the Eagles within 21-20 with 5:55 left in the game.

"I played every play like it was the last," Tate said. "When we were down, I just felt like it could've been my last play. So I ran harder. And even though I was tired, I came back on the field and did what I had to do."

With the Eagles down by 1 after Brooks' score, Lewis decided to go for a 2-point conversion. But Tate's pass fell incomplete. King William took the ensuing kickoff and marched 51 yards for a touchdown to provide the final margin.

DIVISION 2 SEMIFINAL WASHINGTON & LEE 20 KING WILLIAM 27

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Date published: 11/21/2009