THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 2, 1994 TAG: 9409300219
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAN COOLEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 108 lines
IN THE CHESAPEAKE Middle School League, parity seems to be the rule. Four different schools have won or shared the CMSL football title in the past five years.
Traditionally, most of the games among the six Chesapeake middle schools have been close, hard-fought battles. Even winless Great Bridge had four of its five games go down to the wire last year, including one with co-champion Indian River.
In trying to pick a preseason favorite, Indian River was the choice of four of six coaches. The Braves were picked because of their large number of students to choose from, as well as their recent successes: Indian River won the title the past two years, sharing last season's crown with Crestwood.
A look at the teams:
CRESTWOOD
Coach Matt Puryear has six starters back, all of whom play defense.
``We will be just as competitive as last year, but things will also be more competitive in the league from top to bottom,'' Puryear said. Puryear sees the defensive backfield as the team's biggest strength, since four of the six returners (Henry Giddins, Harold Felton, James Foster, and Ryan Ross) hold these slots. Linebacker Jason Powell and tackle Chris Lake also return.
On offense, Giddins (running back) and Felton (quarterback) play at two of the skill positions. Powell and Lake will toil on the offensive line.
DEEP CREEK
Deep Creek could be considered a favorite just on the basis of past coaching success. In 11 years at the school, head coach Gene Babb has had six undefeated teams, and just one losing season, compiling an impressive 43-9-3 record.
Babb estimated that his five offensive linemen average 190-200 pounds. Anchoring the line will be Antoine Butts, the league's heaviest starter at 235 pounds. Also returning will be guard Mark Mahan and center Rashad Cuffee.
Running behind the big guys will be Eric Wilson (quarterback), Derrick Allen (halfback) and Kenyell Jennings (fullback).
On defense, the trio of Cuffee, Jennings, and Mahan will start at linebacker. Allen will play defensive back with Butts at defensive tackle.
GREAT BRIDGE
Although Great Bridge lost all five games last year, the Wildcats shouldn't lose them all this time around. Coach Gary Obenour returns five starters, four in the skill positions.
As the only returning lineman, 220-pounder Jupiter Wilson will provide the blocking.
According to Obenour, Antwan Stukes is one of the most gifted players on the team.
``He is multitalented. We want to get the ball in his hands as much as possible,'' he said.
In order to accomplish that, Stukes will see time at three different positions: quarterback, running back and wide receiver. Stukes also will start at free safety on defense.
Rickey Henderson will share the quarterbacking duties. Both he and Stukes will be giving the ball to returning running back Jon Hunter and wide receiver Akil Riddick.
On defense, Wilson will start at tackle, while Hunter, Henderson, and Riddick make up the linebacking corps.
INDIAN RIVER
With the highest number of returning starters, nine, and a deep talent pool, last year's co-champions look to be an early favorite. But first-year coach Wiley Lee won't jump on the bandwagon.
``We're young and we'll have a tough road ahead,'' Lee said. ``I'll be happy if we can somehow win it again.''
Ronald Brewer and Derrick Harrell are the returning running backs, and they'll benefit from one of the bigger offensive lines in the league with returners Terrell Taylor and Clifford Peterson.
Jarvon Mack, Avery Johnson, and Dennis Johnson return at wide receiver.
OSCAR SMITH
With just two returning starters, coach Kerry Harper might be hard pressed to equal last year's 1-4 record.
``We start from scratch every year,'' he said. ``The biggest problem this year is that the kids are inexperienced.''
Douglas Yates returns at offensive guard/linebacker, and Terrence Knight will start at running back, defensive back and linebacker. Another player to watch is running back Larry Turner, a transfer from Western Branch.
Harper said Yates is one of the most technically sound players in the CMSL. Although Yates is only 145 pounds, Harper thinks he will win his share of battles based on his solid technique.
``We could have a strong team defensively, as a number of the kids are good athletes,'' said Harper. ``Offensively, the potential is there. It just depends on how well they work together.''
WESTERN BRANCH
If the Bruins' size on the offensive line is a factor, new coach Ricky Bright should be able to improve on a 2-3 record. Bright is a former varsity assistant.
All three returning linemen (Jason Davis, Joey Cleaver, and Nishan White) weigh at least 200 pounds.
The offense is big as well. Quarterback David Johnson stands 6-0, 170 pounds, and Western Branch also boasts the league's biggest fullback in 220-pounder Marvin Urquhart.
``I hope we're aggressive for our size,'' Bright said. ``A lot of the players have been lifting weights, so at least they're stronger than last year.''
Davis and White, because of their size, may also play defense, joining Johnson (defensive back), Cleaver (defensive tackle) and Urquhart (linebacker) as two-way players. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Terrence Knight will start at running back, defensive back and
linebacker for Oscar Smith Middle School.
by CNB