Averett racks up points in win

By Jason Wolf

Published: November 1, 2008

WINCHESTER — And in his 12th start, there was victory.

Averett scored touchdowns on four consecutive possessions to close out the first half and senior quarterback Shan Fairbanks led the Cougars to their most points in nearly two years in a 33-21 USA South Conference victory against Shenandoah on Saturday night. The win — Averett’s second straight — also hands the Cougars their first winning streak since October 2006.

“I was just out there having fun,” Fairbanks said. “I think earlier in the year I was a little more uptight, thinking I had to make more plays than what I had to do. Tonight I just let it all hang out … and it all worked out tonight.”

Anthony Squillini and Brian Daniels each scored two touchdowns for Averett, which rallied from an early 14-0 deficit for the win.

Shenandoah’s troubles really started when Marcus Klusacek’s bouncing kickoff, untouched by the Hornets, was recovered by Kevin Blyden at the Shenandoah 18-yard line. The play, which had the effect of a long onside kick, followed Averett’s first touchdown and set up Daniels for his first of two scores. Daniels tied the game at 14-14 with that 5-yard rush and added a score from 1 yard out in the final minute of the half.

The Cougars led 27-14 at intermission.

Averett (3-5, 3-2) moved 68 yards in seven plays for its initial score after allowing Shenandoah (2-6, 1-4) touchdowns on consecutive drives early in the first quarter.

Fairbanks, who completed 15-of-21 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns, hit Squillini with an 8-yard fade pass on the first play of the second quarter to break the shutout. Squillini also gave Averett its first lead on an electric 19-yard catch and run that featured the junior wideout running to the left, picking up a few blocks as he swiftly cut back across the field to the opposite sideline and diving for the pylon.

“When I cut, I just saw a whole bunch of Shenandoah players on this side of the field and I just figured I could beat them to the other side and it just worked out,” Squillini said. “Shane threw a grew block at the end and it just worked out for me to get into the end zone.”

Mark Williams also broke down the right sideline for a 52-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter to put Averett on top 33-14.

Shenandoah tailback B.J. Smoot, who rushed 23 times for 139 yards and two scores, had his way with the Cougars early. After racing 43 yards on just his third carry of the game, Smoot went untouched on a 20-yard run up the gut that scored Shenandoah’s first touchdown. He capped the Hornets’ next drive with a similar play from 11 yards out.

Shenandoah fullback Anthony Cordero bulled into the end zone from the 3 with 10 minutes remaining to answer Averett’s string of five straight touchdowns. The scoring drive featured a 48-yard catch and run by Evan Young on a third down play from the Hornets’ 22.

The 33 points Averett scored was the program’s most since a 58-44 victory against Maryville on Nov. 11, 2006. The Cougars last won consecutive games in October 2006, like this season, defeating Greensboro College and Shenandoah. Fairbanks was 0-9 as a starter coming into this season and 0-2 in games he started this year.

Fairbanks got the start as sophomore quarterback Philip Kwiatkowsi missed practice for most of the week due to a pink eye infection.

“My hat’s off to Shan,” Averett coach Mike Dunlevy said. “He’s been through a lot. He’s a senior. Coming into this year, to not start but having the ability to have an opportunity like this I think was just great for him, and I’m really proud of him.”