DATE: Friday, November 21, 1997             TAG: 9711210915

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: Robin Brinkley 

                                            LENGTH:   35 lines

W. BRANCH'S JOHNSTON HOPING SPEED, BRUINS' WING-T IS ENOUGH KECOUGHTAN HAS PROVEN, THOUGH, THAT IT CAN SCORE BIG AND GO DEEP IF NEEDED.

Western Branch coach Lew Johnston hopes an edge in team speed and Kecoughtan's inexperience defending the Wing-T will be enough to get his Bruins into the state playoffs for the first time when the two teams meet in the Eastern Region Division 6 final tonight.

``I think it will be close,'' Johnston said. ``I see them as being very comparable to Deep Creek. We've had two good days of practice, and our kids are confident.''

Western Branch appears to be the more explosive team statistically; Keith Burnell, Rashad Cook and Marvin Urquhart have combined for more than 2,200 yards rushing.

But Kecoughtan rang up 70 points against Woodside and scored 34 last week against Tallwood. Both teams have shown they can pass when necessary, and each has a deep threat, Emmett Johnson for Western Branch and Howard Dunlap for Kecoughtan.

Warriors quarterback Jovonn Quillen completed 4 of 8 passes for 156 yards and two TDs against Tallwood.

``Talking to some of the Tallwood coaches, I think Kecoughtan surprised them with the pass,'' Johnston said. ``Kecoughtan didn't show any option in the two films we saw, but we know they run that, and we'll be ready for it.''

The Bruins' defense received a boost this week when tackle Frank Lamagna returned to practice. He has missed time with a sprained back but is expected to play against the Warriors.

Kecoughtan has a dominant defensive lineman in Marlon Hicks, who could impact the Bruins' inside running game.

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