Banks, Toulouse Propel Yorktown in Opener

Charles Banks understands that as the second or third option in the Yorktown offense, he is not in the plans to get the ball a whole lot. So, the junior running back-linebacker said, he has to put himself in good position when plans go wrong.

In a snap, literally, that's what happened in the Patriots' 27-6 home victory over Wilson last night in the season opener for both teams.

With Yorktown (1-0) holding a 14-6 lead in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, Wilson switched quarterbacks as the Tigers began a drive at their own 28. After a Yorktown penalty, the subsequent snap flew over the quarterback's head, and Banks was off. He got his fingers on it and pushed it ahead so that teammate Kenny Bailey fell on it at the Wilson 8.

Two plays later, Banks punched it in from a yard out to make it 21-6. He rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries.

On the next Wilson possession, the Tigers (0-1) switched quarterbacks again and nearly lost another bad snap. But they moved the ball into Yorktown territory, before Banks stepped in front of a first-down pass along the Patriots' sideline. He returned it 68 yards for the clinching touchdown with just under seven minutes to play.

"I know I just have to be in the right place at the right time," Banks said. "You know, whether it's reading the quarterback's eyes and seeing where he's throwing, or going after that fumble, I've got to find the ball."

The ball found its way into Banks's hands enough to make him a solid counter to senior Kyle Toulouse, who will be one of the more versatile, if not exciting, players in the Northern Region this season. Toulouse lined up at halfback, quarterback, punt returner and cornerback, and, according to Patriots Coach Bruce Hanson, did not have a chance to see a snap at wide receiver.

All told, Toulouse ran for 94 yards, caught a 13-yard reception, and completed 2 of 3 passes, including a third-quarter scoring pass to junior Mike Veith that put Yorktown ahead 14-6.

"Kyle is someone we'll move all over the place," Hanson said. "But Charles took some pressure off Kyle tonight."

Wilson senior Sidney Balman caught four passes for 84 yards and stood out at safety, but the Tigers had trouble getting their offense going, as Yorktown sustained long drives to control the clock. The Patriots' first two scoring drives each lasted more than seven minutes. Yorktown held the ball for 22 minutes 39 seconds of the game's first 32 minutes.

Yorktown 27, Wilson 6 Good run: Even though Yorktown made the playoffs last year, the Patriots' 5-6 mark was their first losing record in more than a decade. Bad start: The teams totaled 21 penalties for 173 yards.