[Heritage]

[ANCHOR=Mike]

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A very pleasant Friday the 13th to you folks and welcome to the 17th and final edition of Friday Football Extra for this 2002 season. It was a regular season unlike any other, and as a result we have a few surprise players in tomorrow's state championship games.
[GRAPHIC=VHSL]
In the next 30 minutes, we will preview the title games in divisions one through four in which teams from the Friday Football Extra coverage area are hoping to bring home the gold.
[GRAPHIC=HERITAGE/LAFAYETTE]
We begin with one of the teams that made this a "not so regular season" - the Heritage Pioneers. This team wasn't even competitive last season posting a 3-and-7 mark. The team changed coaches - and in effect brought in a country boy to transform a city team. Say what you will, but the turnaround at Heritage can be traced right to the man the top - first year Pioneers' head coach Chris Jones. The War, West Virginia native earned the respect and the admiration of his players right off the bat by simply keeping it real with the help of a little story.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=BITES]
[SUPER=50-Chris Jones/Heritage Head Coach; :11]
[SUPER=50-Marques Moore/Heritage Senior Receiver; :39]
[SUPER=50-L.A. Watson/Heritage Senior Lineman; :47]
[SUPER=50-Craig Ford/Heritage Senior Quarterback; 1:00]
[SUPER=51-Lynchburg/2001 Division 4 Title Game; 1:40]
[RUNS=2:11]
[OUT Q=...a great game."]
(-------------)
((CHRIS JONES:)) ((L.A. WATSON/HERITAGE SENIOR LINEMAN:)) ((CRAIG FORD/HERITAGE SENIOR QUARTERBACK:)) ((MARQUES MOORE/HERITAGE SENIOR RECEIVER:)) (( The Pioneers already have set the school record for most wins in a season with 12, but they want the school's first ever state football title. To get it they'll have to beat the best. Lafayette - is the only state champ from a year in any division to make it back to the title game this year. ((CHRIS JONES:)) Not only is Lafayette good - its head coach is one of the best. Paul Wheeler, a West Virginia native himself from Beckley is 3-and-1 in state championship games.)) ((CHRIS JONES:))

[Liberty]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
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[GRAPHIC=HERITAGE/LAFAYETTE]

Before Heritage and Lafayette step on the carpet at LU tomorrow - the other half of the "Seminole Sensations"
[GRAPHIC=LIBERTY/NEW KENT]
will try to begin what folks in central Virginia are calling a "Seminole Sweep." Liberty, a team that wasn't even on the radar back in August now finds itself in the division three state title game for the first time in school history. And the Minutemen have reached this point with a bunch of carefree kids and a first year head coach who refuses to get caught up in the hype.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=51-Bedford; :00]
[SUPER=50-Chris Watts/Liberty Head Coach; :13]
[SUPER=51-Bedford/Last Saturday vs. Grundy; :20]
[SUPER=51-New Kent/Sunday vs. Fort DeFiance; :56]
[SUPER=50-Carlton Booth/Liberty Linebacker & Center; 1:29]
[RUNS=1:51]
[OUT Q=...A PRETTY GOOD ATHLETE."]
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((CHRIS WATTS:)) (( But writing the final chapter in this fairy tale season, might be a little tricky. New Kent is the master of deception. The Trojans run a "double wing" offense that can drive defenses absolutely nuts.)) ((CHRIS WATTS:)) ((CARLTON BOOTH:))
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[talent=mike]
[graphic=hold new kent/liberty]
Now this also is New Kent's first appearance in a Group Two A state title game, but for year's this was one of the top Single A teams in the state. From 1997 through the year 2000 - the Trojans won four straight regional titles only to

loses each year in the state semi-finals.[Board-Bump]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
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Everything is on the turf tomorrow afternoon as doubleheaders are scheduled for not only Lynchburg, but Richmond and Harrisonburg, as well. Here's the statewide title schedule for divisions one through six.
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[GO TO SCHEDULE BOARDS]
[RUNS=:30]
[OC....DIVISION ONE BOARD]
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[go to break]

[Campbell]


[ANCHOR=mike]
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Welcome back folks to Friday Football Extra's state final preview special.
[GRAPHIC=Willaim Campbell vs. Appalachia]

For the first time in school history, William Campbell will play for a football state championship. The 13 and OH Generals meet Appalachia tomorrow at 4 at James Madison University. Steve Mason says, with Christmas right around the corner, there is only one thing the Generals want to find under the tree.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=51-Salem/1991 2A State Championship; :00]
[SUPER=51-Naruna; :09]
[SUPER=50-Brad Bradley/William Campbell Head Coach; :18]
[SUPER=51-Wise/Division 1 Semi-Finals; :32]
[SUPER=50-Jeff Jones/William Campbell Defensive Lineman; :46(QUICK)]
[SUPER=50-Cedric Peerman/William Campbell Linebacker & Tailback; :50]
[SUPER=50-Frank Clowdis/William Campbell Linebacker; :56]
[SUPER=50-Shea Boyd/3,755 Yards of Total Offense; 1:20]
[SUPER=59-Steve Mason; 2:47]
[RUNS=2:58]
[OUT Q=...friday football extra]
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((While Brad Bradley's ball control, grind it out offensive days at Salem under legendary coach Willis White differ greatly from his run and shoot, wide open offensive nights at William Campbell, he has a great deal in common with the Generals, both have never experienced a state championship. ((BRAD BRADLEY:)) ((:))
Ironically, in order the bring state title hard ware home to Naruna, he will have to beat a team that plays a styel similar to the one that has earned Salem four state titles. Appalachia beat defneding single A state champion Bath County 42 to 14 using a ball control, run dominated attack. ((:)) ((:)) Tomorrow marks the ninth state title appearance for Appalahia and since 1989, the Bulldogs have won five state crowns.
((:)) While they have the edge in understanding what playing in the final game of the season feels like, the Bulldogs have never faced an offense as explosive as William Campbell's. The Generals are averaging 48 points a game in the last two playoff contests. ((:)) ((:)) ((:))
Boyd and his teammates got a taste of Christmas a little earlier than most this season. Without sufficient travel gear, Bradley called his coach for help. Willis White didn't think twice and the Generals will arrive at James Madison looking like a college team, sporting Salem Spartans travel bags. ((:)) Bradley and the Generals have also received countless pairs of cleats from Coach White as well. Coach White's advice to his former player was very short and sweet...One more. Bradley is the first former player under White to coach in a state title game. Steve Mason friday Football Extra.))

[Wythe]


[ANCHOR=mike]
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[GRAPHIC=Wythe/Buckingham]

The Group A, Division 2 Championship pits 12 and 1 George Wythe against 12 and 1 Buckingham. Donnie Pruitt's club has taken probably the toughest road to the title game by beating three of the top four teams in the point ratings. Travis Wells has more on the Maroons as they prepare for their first trip to the big dance in 19 years.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=51-Wytheville/December 7; :00]
[SUPER=51-Wytheville/1983 State Championship; :23]
[SUPER=50-Donnie Pruitt/Maroons Head Coach; :29]
[SUPER=51-Naruna/September 14, 2002; :47]
[SUPER=50-Robert Barcliff/1590 Rushing Yards this Season; 1:16]
[SUPER=59-Travis Wells; 1:22]
[SUPER=50-Grant Throckmorton/945 Passing Yards this Season; 1:35]
[RUNS=2:07]
[OUT Q=Friday Football Extra."]
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[Tease#1]



[ANCHOR=Mike]
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Our final player of the week segment of the season is on the way next, plus we'll check in one of the many schools in the state that was inconvenienced by the sniper attacks earlier this fall. [GO TO BREAK]

[Player]


[ANCHOR=travis]
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Welcome back one and all to Friday Football Extra.
[GRAPHIC=Throckmorton/Player of the Week]

It's time now to meet our final Player of the Week of this 2002 season.
[GRAPHIC=Throckmorton/Player of the Week]
George Wythe's Grant Throckmorton was a busy man in last week's 21-20 overtime win over Gate City. As Travis Wells explains, the senior does a little bit of everything for the Maroons.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=51-Wytheville/December 6; :00]
[SUPER=50-Grant Throckmorton/945 Passing Yards this Season; :08]
[SUPER=59-Travis Wells; :26]
[SUPER=50-Donnie Pruitt/George Wythe Head Coach; :50]
[RUNS=1:50]
[OUT Q=Friday Football Extra."]
((Grant Throckmorton's 6 yard sneak in overtime against Gate City wasn't the play called in the huddle.
Grant:
Travis: As a youngster growing up, Throckmorton was an avid swimmer. That built up his endurance and he's needed every bit of it on the football field. In additon to playing quarterback, he also kicks off, kicks extra points and plays defensive end.
Grant: Pruitt:
On the surface, Throckmorton's numbers against the Blue Devils aren't overly impressive. He rushed for 40 yards on a sloppy field, and completed 5 of 15 passes for 139 yards. The 6-5, 200 pound senior has now thrown for just under a thousand yards on the season. But his greatest asset cannot be measured statistically.
Pruitt:
Throckmorton won't have much down time following Saturday's state championship game against Buckingham. He'll head right to the basketball court next week, and then to the baseball diamond next spring. Travis Wells, Friday Football Extra.))

[Sniper]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
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Of course normally by now teams already are ordering their state championship rings and jackets. But as we discussed on numerous occasions this year - the season had to be extended an extra week due to the "serial snipers" who not only ended and ruined lives, but also disrupted them in both Northern Virginia and Richmond.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=51-Hopewell; :00]
For teams in our area it simply meant a week off during Thanksgiving, but for teams near DC and Richmond it was much more than just a break from the action.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=WELL I THINK...]
[SUPER=50-Marshall Parker/Hopewell Head Coach; :02]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=...IT DIDN'T REALLY MATTER."]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[GRAPHIC=hold vhsl]
Hopewell won the Central Region championship this year, but lost last weekend in the division five semi-finals to Stafford 32-to-29.

[Tease#2]



[ANCHOR=Mike]
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When Friday Football Extra returns in just a moment we will check out the big combine that look place at Hargrave Military earlier this week as several former Friday Football Extra stars looked to impress the college coaches. [GO TO BREAK]

[Hargrave]


[ANCHOR=mike]
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While the state championship is the ultimate goal for a high school player, it is only the beginning for the lucky few, who have a chance to play major college football. Some decide to improve academically or athletically at Hargrave Military Academy. Hargrave held it's annual combine this week. Steve Mason has more on an event attended by Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer and many other coaches representing high profile programs.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=51-Chatham; :00]
[SUPER=50-Frank Beamer/Virginia Tech Head Football Coach; :11]
[SUPER=50-Matt Roan/Hargrave Tight End; :47]
[SUPER=50-Robert Prunty/Hargrave Head Football Coach; :53]
[SUPER=50-Chris McDuffie/Hargrave Offensive Lineman; 1:20]
[SUPER=50-Lou Wacker/Emory & Henry Head Football Coach; 1:50]
[SUPER=59-Steve Mason; 1:59]
[RUNS=2:15]
[OUT Q=...firiday football extra"]
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((Coaches from 150 major college football programs were in attendance. Tech head coach Frank Beamer also spends the day in Chatham and he knows exactly what he's looking for. ((:)) It was a huge day for former Pulaski County star Matt Roan. Just a few months ago the Cougars tight end, who played a major role in Hargrave's offense this season, ran a 4.85 40 yard dash. Roan brought that time down to a very attractive 4.5, enough of an improvement to warrant a lengthy conversation with his dream college coach. ((:)) ((:)) Former G. W. Danville standout offensive lineman Chris McDuffie auditioned for a spot on the Hargrave roster this past September. His SAT scores qualify him and McDuffie continues to try and improve his GPA. Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Arkansas, and Penn State are after him but Blacksburg is where he wants to be. ((:)) The L drill, the vertical jump, the 40 yard dash, offer chances for players who have not gotten a great deal of attention from big time college coaches to improve their times. The smaller schools are also competing. Liberty University's John Karcher is looking for talent as is Division III Emory & Henry coach Lou Wacker.)) ((:))

((STEVE MASON:))[2-Board-Bump]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
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We'll say so long for another year in just a moment, but first here's one more look at tomorrow statewide championship schedule of games.
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[GO TO SCHEDULE BOARDS]
[RUNS=:30]
[OC....DIVISION ONE BOARD]
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[go to break]

[Banquet]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
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Well, we are just about finished for tonight, and after tomorrow's state champs are crowned we will officially put the wraps on this 2002 season with our 19th annual Friday Football Extra awards banquet next Thursday. At this time the coaches of the year, the team of the year, the Lee Cook lineman of the year will all be announced. And we will not only name the Noel C. Taylor Scholar-Athlete of the year,
[GRAPHIC=ROY]
but we also will hand out the first two Roy Stanley Memorial Scholarships. Hope you can join for News 7 at 11 next Thursday night as we open up an envelope full of this year's best.
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We look forward to our 20th anniversary season next year. But first thanks to you the viewer for making this show possible, and thanks to all the folks, whose names you're about to see. Happy Holidays everybody. [GO TO CREDITS]
by SS