Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 23, 1993 TAG: 9312230048
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Poindexter is one of three Jefferson Forest players to make the AP's All-Group AA team. Division 4 champion Rustburg landed two players on the team, which was chosen by a panel of sports writers from across the state.
Poindexter, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior, was named a first-team defensive back. He had more than 70 tackles and intercepted five passes for Jefferson Forest (12-2) . At quarterback, Poindexter accumulated more than 2,000 yards in offense for the Seminoles.
Poindexter, who led the Cavaliers to a 26-2 record over two seasons, is the second consecutive player of the year from Jefferson Forest, joining tight end Bryan Jennings from last year.
The coach of the year is Jamey Talbott, who led Rockbridge County to a 7-4 record and a Blue Ridge District championship, the first by any school other than Salem in six years. This year's accomplishments come on the heels of a 4-6 record last season, the first year of existence for Rockbridge, which was formed by the consolidation of Lexington, Natural Bridge and Rockbridge.
Craig Akins, who twice guided Matoaca to the Division 3 title game against Jefferson Forest, is the first-team quarterback. He threw for 30 touchdowns this season and set three Group AA playoff passing records in the semifinals.
Jefferson's Forest's Billy Smith is joined by running backs Andre Braxton of Caroline County and Patrick County's Charles McClain.
In the regular season, Smith rushed for 1,275 yards and caught six passes for 204 yards. He scored 134 points. Braxton rushed for 1,609 yards and 25 touchdowns in the regular season and McClain rushed for more than 1,600 yards for the second consecutive year.
The line features center Ricardo Crocker of Smithfield, guards Tom Gryder of Osbourn and Brookville's Joe Paul Mahaffey and tackles George Seals of Magna Vista and Damon Tinsley of Amherst County.
Martinsville's McQuail Gravely, who caught 47 passes for 750 yards and eight touchdowns, is joined at end by Handley's Michael Partlow, had 16 touchdowns and 961 yards on 59 receptions.
The kicker is Tabb's Mike Harris, who made nine of 12 field-goal attempts, including a long of 51 yards, and connected on 36 of 38 extra-point tries.
Radford's Casey Underwood, the punter, averaged 39.6 yards per kick and placed five inside the 5-yard line.
Jerome Lardy of Park View-Sterling is the kick returner. He averaged 52 yards per kickoff return, including four touchdowns, and 18.8 on punt returns, including two touchdowns.
The defensive line features Graham's Mark Jude, John Stacey of Gate City, Chancellor's Brian Furrow, Shannon Eley of Nansemond River and Northside's John Huffman.
Jude had 101 tackles for a team that held opponents to just 570 rushing yards. Stacey was the top defensive lineman in the Highlands District. Furrow had 75 tackles, including eight sacks, and two fumble recoveries. Eley had nine sacks among his 39 tackles, and he also recovered four fumbles and intercepted a pass. Huffman was named the top defender in the Blue Ridge District.
The linebackers are Blacksburg's Tommy Wheeler, who had 130 tackles; Luke Cullinane of Loudoun Valley, whose 119 tackles made him one of the few bright spots on a 2-8 team; and Martinsville's Chris Frith. Martinsville was 9-0 in the games Frith played and 0-2 without him.
Joining Poindexter in the secondary are Khris Law of Tunstall, who had 87 tackles, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries, and Tabb's Trei Oliver, who was named the top defender in the Bay Rivers District.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB