ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 31, 1996 TAG: 9610310005
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: FLOYD
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
He calls himself the Dark Shark. After 15 years on the job, he can call himself whatever he likes.
That's how many seasons Winfred Beale has been at the football helm of the Floyd County Buffaloes, and he said he has enjoyed them all. But don't misunderstand - some years definitely have been more enjoyable than others.
Take last year, for example. Floyd County racked up a dismal 1-9 record in 1995 and finished last in the Three Rivers District race. Observers didn't expect much more from the Buffaloes this season, and frankly, neither did Beale.
That was before. Floyd County has surpassed all expectations with a 6-2 overall record, and is currently enjoying a four-game win streak. With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Buffaloes still have a shot at making the playoffs.
"I'm pleasantly surprised," Beale said. "And obviously this is something coaches say all the time, but we really do have good chemistry this year. The kids do a lot together both on and off the field and that makes a difference. Plus, they do a lot of hard work during the week and then have fun on Friday nights regardless of the score.
"They take the game seriously but they don't take themselves too seriously. That's a good combination for a coach."
Having good chemistry is great, there's no denying that. But having a running back who is averaging 137 yards a game and a quarterback who is completing 50 percent of his passes doesn't hurt either.
Junior tailback Nick Wohn has rushed for 1,098 yards and 12 touchdowns on 133 carries this season, for an average of 8.26 yards per carry. Senior quarterback Tony Erchull is doing his part as well, having completed 50 of 101 passes for 809 yards and 11 touchdowns.
"I think a lot of the success I've had has comes from having Nick line up behind me," Erchull said. "Other teams have got to be concerned with Nick, because if we get the running game going it gets the defense back on its heels. They've got to respect him. Then the passing game opens up and they can't can't deal with both."
With the exception of its two losses, that has certainly been the case. The Buffaloes opened the season 2-2, with losses coming to eventual district champion Giles and Glenvar, but has picked up its pace every game since. And that, Beale said, is the secret to success.
"The turning point for us was the loss to Glenvar," Beale said. "Not to take anything away from Glenvar, but it served as a wake-up call to us. We had to come back and get refocused and more disciplined. I've preached all year to each player that they need to get better every week and then the team will get better.
"I think we've done that."
The player who seems to merit the most attention for his improvements is Erchull. As a junior in 1995, he played wide receiver for the Buffaloes until the final three games of the season, when he was moved to quarterback. Erchull said he played quarterback as a youngster, but this has been his first real chance to display his abilities behind center.
At 6-feet-5, 190 pounds, Erchull said he would like to further his career on the collegiate level. He has become a constant at Virginia Tech football games this year, thanks in part to phone calls assistant coach Billy Hite gives Erchull before each home game to remind him of kickoff time. He said he also receives a couple of letters each week from the University of Richmond.
"Of course Virginia Tech would be my first choice, but it's such a big school," Erchull said. "I just want to play somewhere."
Coach Beale thinks he will.
"He's one of those kids that's going to be a diamond in the rough from some college," Beale said. "He's not well known, but he's a good student of the game and he's definitely got the size."
And the personality too. Beale describes Erchull as anything but an introvert, saying he's the type of person who will tell you exactly what is on his mind.
Erchull said part of the credit for his outgoing personality can be given to Beale, whom he describes as both funny and outrageous.
"He'll joke and sing and just do anything," Erchull said of Beale. "And that helps the team too. You can joke around with him but if you joke around too much he'll tell you."
Tell you in his deep voice that draws such a rumble it often sounds like a growl?
"Oh no," Erchull said grinning. "He'll get all upset and start yelling so loud that his voice will just shriek. Then the team will laugh - you don't want to laugh but you can't help it - and it just makes him madder. That's the Dark Shark."
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Quarterback Tony Erchull.by CNB