THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608250206
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V28 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: High School Forecasts
SOURCE: ROBIN BRINKLEY
LENGTH: 47 lines
NORCOM
COACH: Joe Langston (23rd year, 171-58)
STAFF MEMBERS: Vincent Pugh, Robert Jackson, Clifton Jones, Rodney Woodhouse.
WHERE THEY PLAY: Churchland High (capacity 3,500) 4301 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 4-6 overall, 2-6 district.
RETURNING STARTERS: Kevin Jones, So., QB, 6-2, 200; Michael Ponds, Sr., WR, 6-5, 205; Ronald Smith, Jr., C, 5-11, 220; William Stanley, Sr., G, 5-10, 230; Eugene Ramsey, Sr., OT-DT, 6-3, 235; Darin Satterwhite, Sr., WR-DB, 5-7, 155; DeMarkeo Hurdle, Jr., DB, 5-10, 165; William Stanley, Sr., G, 5-10, 230.
TOP NEWCOMERS: Bryant Clemmons, Sr., LB, 5-11, 175; Charles Lowe, So., RB-DB, 5-7, 155; Deorlte Hawks, Jr., DL, 6-0, 190; Carlos Williams, Jr., OL-DL, 6-3, 230; Ayrban Parker, Sr., OL, 6-5, 275.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: A lot depends on whether TaRon Anderson is cleared to play. The junior from Tallwood rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons and would dramatically improve the Greyhounds' ground attack. If Anderson can't play, sophomore Lowe and Vernon Grandison will get most of the carries and the focus could switch to quarterback Jones. He passed for 665 yards and five TDs after being thrust into a starting role four games into his freshman season. Jones has two good targets in Ponds and Satterwhite. Ramsey is the top lineman and Parker looks promising. The Greyhounds didn't kick a field goal and frequently went for two on conversions last season. Ponds or Lamar Washington will be tried at placekicker this fall. Anderson could do the punting if he's eligible.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Langston lives for defense, so when he says the Greyhounds will be great, believe him. Speed and gang tackling should the hallmarks of this unit. Ramsey is the ringleader on the line and Williams will surprise people. Clemmons, a transfer from Western Branch, bolsters the linebacking corps and Ponds covers lots of room at free safety.
COACH'S QUOTE: ``We didn't start the same 11 players on defense in any two games last year. This year we have a lot of experience and are going to attack and swarm.''
IT`S A FACT: The Greyhounds have won 77.9 percent of their games in the 90s, the best in South Hampton Roads.
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB