WDBJ 7 Friday Football Extra for 08/22/97

11:35-01

Welcome

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Good evening everybody and welcome to yet another season of Friday Football Extra here on Your Hometown Station.
I'm Mike Stevens, and tonight I'll be joined by Roy Stanley and Steve Mason as we attempt to give you a look at some of more interesting stories of this preseason.
Items like a former coaching legend who is now a city councilman plus, how far would you drive to play high school football. These guys make an 80 mile commute every day.

Deaf

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And while that story may be driving the show, we begin tonight with a little inspiration. Steve Mason is here to tell us about three incredibly gifted athletes who have taken courageous steps on the playing field. Steve
Mike, vision and hearing are two aspects of life we often take for granted.
So, it was quite humbling to learn about Glenvar's visually challenged Steven Swain and Travis Jenkins along with Patrick Henry's hearing impaired safety Robert Brown.
These guys bring new meaning to the words we shall overcome.
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IN Q=first audio
SUPER=50-Kevin Coolbaugh/Eye Care & Surgery Optometrist; :04
SUPER=51-Roanoke Co.; :31
SUPER=50-Travis Jenkins/Glenvar Junior Offensive Guard; :59
SUPER=50-Steven Swain/Glenvar Junior Defensive Tackle; 1:22
SUPER=50-Brian Hooker/Glenvar Head Coach; 2:25
SUPER=51-Roanoke; 2:36
SUPER=50-Robert Brown/Patrick Henry Senior Safety; 2:47
RUNS=3:11
OUT Q=.....I have a problem; I ask her"
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((Glenvar defensive lineman Steven Swain has heard this before. ((KEVIN COOLBAUGH:))
The hand Travis Jenkins was dealt is different; with other restrictions. ((:)) Medically; they are impaired; living in a world where vision is blurred; unable to see as well as their peers. Spiritually; they are a triumphant example for young athletes to follow. Jenkins; an offensive lineman, was born with macular degeneration. But the deterioration of his retina's center did not begin affecting him until 6th grade; three years after he began playing football. His reaction; only positive. ((TRAVIS:))
Starting defensive tackle Swain's condition was a result of injury. ((SWAIN:))
Both have used their minds and a tireless work ethic to compensate for their visual handicaps. Jenkins will serve as a key reserve on the Highlanders offensive line. Swain should start at defensive tackle. But how do they compensate for their handicaps against some of the state's top Single A powers. ((SWAIN:)) ((JENKINS:))
Not afraid to fail and unwilling to except preferential treatment make Swain and Jenkins ideal team players. ((HOOKER:))
Patrick Henry's Robert Brown is legally deaf. Yet the Patriot safety has overcome his handicap tot earn a spot on the team while enduring a crash course in football. ((:))
Team work is crucial for Brown; who must depend on interpretor Anna Wells for coaching signals and plays.)) ((:))
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STEVE TOSSES BACK TO MIKE
Mike, Brown is also a pole vaulter on the PH track team. As for the Glenvar duo - Swain, who has the cataract, will be re-evaluated when he stops growing with surgery or a glass eye as options. There is no cure for Jenkins Macular degeneration. But retina transplants might be an option.

Board-Bump

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Steve thanks so much for again putting things in perspective for us all.
When we come back Roy Stanley will rejoin me with a look at the large number of new coaches in the area this season.
Plus, we'll see how far some young men will go just to play high school football. go to break

New Coaches

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Welcome back to the Friday Football Extra preseason special that now turns its attention to the coaches MIKE & ROY
and Roy Stanley, who joins us for the first time tonight. move into Roy
Mike, each year coaches come and go around the area, but this year am unusual number of big name schools are welcoming new coaches to the sideline.
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IN Q=first audio
SUPER=51-Roanoke; 00
SUPER=50-Jeff Johnson/Patrick Henry Head Coach; :16
SUPER=51-Rocky Mount; :31
SUPER=50-Jerry Little/Franklin County Head Coach; :40
SUPER=51-Rustburg; :49
SUPER=50-Mike Scharnus/Rustburg Head Coach; :59
SUPER=51-Daleville; 1:07
SUPER=50-Tony Hart/Lord Botetourt Head Coach; 1:16
SUPER=51-Covington; 1:27
SUPER=50-Brad Morton/Covington Head Coach; :1:38
RUNS=2:25
OUT Q=......Laurel Park."
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((We begin at Patrick Henry where Jeff Johnson has been an assistant since 1986. His last stint as a head coach was at Old Natural Bridge High school where he led the Rockets to a 7 and 3 record his final year in 1985.)) ((JEFF JOHNSON/PATRICK HENRY HEAD COACH: )) ((After taking over as an interim head coach last season, Jerry Little is returning full time to coach the Franklin County Eagles.)) ((JERRY LITTLE/FRANKLIN COUNTY HEAD COACH: )) ((Mike Scharnus led the Minutemen of Liberty to their first ever playoff last season but he's crossing the county line to try and rebuild the Red Devils of Rustburg.)) ((MIKE SCHARNUS/RUSTBURG HEAD COACH: )) ((Down in Daleville, Tony Hart is stepping into the head coaching Job. Hart is familiar with the system having been an assistant coach at Botetourt for the past four years.)) ((TONY HART/LORD BOTETOURT HEAD COACH: )) ((Covington's new coach is also no stranger to the Cougar's football team. Brad Morton takes over after coaching for 18 years under the legendary John Woodzell.)) ((BRAD MORTON/COVINGTON HEAD COACH: )) ((The other new coaches in the area are Scott Abell at Liberty. Abell was an assistant at Altavista.
Brett McPherson leaves William Monroe for his first head coaching job at Shawsville.
Greg Mance a star baseball player at Virginia Tech in the mid 80's takes over the program at Richlands.
And former Bassett assistant coach Mark Markevich moves into the head coaching position at Fieldale-Collinsville.
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Commute

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Coaches aren't the only ones taking up residence in new places this season.
Steve Mason is back in the house with the story of some young men who actually could use a couple of houses this time of year. Steve
Mike, this is the fifth year Bath County has welcomed students from Highland County to town to play football.
But what makes this scenario so remarkable is that the Highland players' aren't just sacrificing blood sweat and tears; they're parting ways with friends.
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IN Q="first audio
SUPER=50-Steve Isaacs/Bath Co. Head Coach; :00
SUPER=51-Bath Co; :19
SUPER=50-Bruce Hill/Bath Co. Linebacker; :38
SUPER=51-Monterey; :55
SUPER=50-Matt Vermillion/Bath Co. Lineman; 1:08
SUPER=50-Tray Lightner/Bath Co. Linebacker; 1:27
SUPER=59-Steve Mason; 1:43
RUNS=2:14
OUT Q=..might not get home until day break"
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((CHRIS ISAACS:)) ((Help came from Highland in the form of three players and a manager. But why do linebackers Trey Lightner and Bruce Hill and lineman Matt Vermillion transfer schools to make a daily trek from Highland to bath County? ((BRUCE HILL:))
The price to pay for the love of sports seems steep. From August through mid March, on average these athletes travel 80 miles round trip to school. That's about 18 thousand miles on the road in only 7 and a half months; and that's just to and from school! ((VERMILLION:))
What about the personal costs. These teenagers have chose to leave their friends to play football. But it this fraternal sport that made the transition easier. ((TRAY:))
With the Highland athletes; Isaacs now fields a team of 23 players. The additions give Bath County a strong shot a the district crown after a 5 and 5 season last year. But more important; is the example these young men have set for their teammates.)) ((:))
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STEVE TOSSES BACK TO MIKE
Bath County also has two football prospects from Alleghany County and 1 from Covington.

Tease#1

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Thanks Steve for sharing another extreme of just how far an individual will go to play this game.
Now, when we come back we'll slip down Warm Springs mountain and stop off in Covington to visit with
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former Covington Cougars' boss John Woodzell, who has given up the lockeroom for the chamber.
I'll explain right after this.
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go to break

Woodzell

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We are back and ready to move forward, as is one of Friday Football Extra's all-time great coaches.
Covington football icon John Woodzell retired from coaching after last season, but by no means is he ready for the rocking chair.
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(( When Woodzell walked off the field at Glenvar last November, he left the profession with 116 wins and a state championship so, it's no surprise with all that success that he's missing his Cougars a little this summer. ((JOHN WOODZELL/116 CAREER WINS AT COVINGTON:))
But Woodzell couldn't coach right now if he wanted to, because these days he's way to busy with his new position as one of Covington's city councilmen. ((JOHN WOODZELL:))
Woodzell was appointed to his post to fulfill an unexpired term back in January. It's an unusual union, but one that is working well for the citizens of Covington. ((JOHN WOODZELL:))
What knowledge he lacks in governmental affairs, Woodzell more than makes for with his no-nonsense, common sense approach to policy making. NAT SOUND ((BRAD MORTON:)) ((JOHN WOODZELL:))
Mayor Jim Crawford used to spend Friday night's occassionally questioning Woodzell's coaching with the rest of the Casey Field faithful, but he's now glad to have Honest John on his team.)) ((JIM CRAWFORD:)) ((JOHN WOODZELL:))

Hicks

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While Woodzell has no plans to return to the sideline, there's no guarantee he won't come back someday.
Afterall, coaches often change their minds as we found out 10 years ago.
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SUPER=51-Pulaski Co.; :00
SUPER=51-Roanoke/December 1987; :19
SUPER=50-Joel Hicks/Pulaski Co. Head Coach; :26
RUNS=:39
OUT Q=...WELL RIGHT NOW."
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(( No one has garnered more respect or collected more wins in Roanoke Valley district during the Friday Football Extra era than Pulaski's Joel Hicks. But 10 years ago he was finished with this football stuff.
After the 1987 season Joel announced he was quitting, and at out annual banquet that December we have a special jacket as a parting gift.)) ((JOEL HICKS/PULASKI CO. HEAD COACH:))

2-Board-Bump

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The amazing thing is that ten years later the jacket still fits.
Stay with us when we return we'll see how the new athletic trainers are fitting in in Roanoke County.
Plus, double-a power Magna Vista turns 10 this year. go to break

Trainers

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Welcome back everybody to Friday Football Extra.
Each year we try to hit a variety of topics in our preseason show, and we've found that nothing hits home harder than information concerning the well being of the athletes.
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IN Q=FIRST AUDIO
SUPER=51-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=50-Michelle Brooks/Northside Athletic Trainer; :21
SUPER=50-James Gallion/Rke Co. Assistant Superintendent; :47
SUPER=50-Tim Bane/Patrick Henry Athletic Trainer; 1:34
RUNS=2:18
OUT Q=...BETTER PROGRAM."
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(( In the past the only schools with full-time athletic trainers in the Roanoke Valley were Patrick Henry and Williams Fleming.
But starting this year, Roanoke County is staffing each of its four high schools with a certified trainer, in a move that is long overdue. ((MICHELLE BROOKS/NORTHSIDE ATHLETIC TRAINER:))
Maybe all over the country, but not all over this state. Virginia has more than 300 high schools, but less than 30 percent of them have a trainer, and West of Richmond less than 5 percent have one on staff. ((JAMES GALLION/:))
Matching personnel with individual schools is often a tough job. Brooks is a Northside graduate, who was anxious to return to her alma mater, even with the growing pains. ((MICHELLE BROOKS:))
The facilities and equipment will come with time as the County and booster clubs free up more money. But thanks to these trainers, the parents of these athletes will see an immediate cash break. ((TIM BANE/P.H. ATHLETIC TRAINER:))
Bane is the veteran trainer in the valley, having been at PH 14 years.
Besides top notch facilities he also now has a number of student assistants, and a full-time certified assistant in Jeanne Brown.)) ((TIM BANE:))

Magna Vista

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Speaking of better programs, never has a school in our area been born from a consolidation and experienced as much success as Magna Vista.
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Roy, it hard to believe, but Magna Vista high school turns 10 this year. ROY
Mike, that let's me know know we're all getting old, and that the Warriors are only getting better as they continue their first decade of dominance.
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IN Q=First audio
SUPER=51-Henry Co.; :00
SUPER=50-Charlie Belvin/Magna Vista Asst. Principal; :14
SUPER=51-Ridgeway/October 23, 1987; :26
SUPER=50-Taylor Edwards/Martinsville Head Coach; :39
SUPER=50-Don Bateman/Magna Vista Head Coach; :53
SUPER=51-Salem/November 14, 1988; 1:08
RUNS=1:47
OUT Q=.......year history."
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((It was 10 years ago this year that Single A Schools Drewry Mason and G.W. Carver combined to former Magna Vista High School.
And the school has excelled in both athletics and academics. ((CHARLIE BELVIN/MAGNA VISTA ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: )) ((The two teams shook hands for the last time on October 23-rd 1987 and immediately made an impact in the Piedmont district. ((TAYLOR EDWARDS/MARTINSVILLE HEAD COACH: )) ((DON BATEMAN/MAGNA VISTA HEAD COACH:)) ((The Warriors showed the area just how strong they really were that first year in the Piedmont.
With Players like Jerome Preston, Stanley Zigler and Binky Smith the Warriors earned their first trip to the regionals however they lost to a strong Salem team 28 to 14.)) ((BATEMAN: )) ((The Warriors have won five Piedmont District titles and been runner-ups in the regionals twice in the school's 9 year history.))
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Tease#2

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There's still plenty to come tonight.
We'll see what Salem thinks about a repeat performance, unveil the preseason Super-7
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and get in step with another hard working group of students who are also looking forward to the 1997 season.
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Band

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Welcome back everybody as we get set to wrap up our preseason special.
But before we do that we need to check in on another important group of students who are also busy practicing for the upcoming season.
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SUPER=51-Moneta; :11
SUPER=50-Chris Wilkes/Staunton River Band Director; :41
RUNS=1:05
OUT Q=...great year."
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NAT SOUND -FFE IS IN YOUR FACE
They may not wear the pads, but their equipment is just as bit as heavy! High school bands from all over the state, like the award winning Golden Eagles from Staunton River, are tuning up for the 1997 season in their own two a day workouts.)) ((CHRIS WILKES/STAUNTON RIVER BAND DIRECTOR:)) NAT SOUND BRIDGE ((CHRIS WILKES:))
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Super-7

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Now, without further ado, strike up the band for the this year's preseason Super-7.

Salem

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Now Salem has opened seasons in this number one spot before, and the school has also opened years outside trying to get in this poll.
But never has Salem faced the prospect of defending a state title.
We asked coach Willis White about living up to the expectations the Salem fans have for his team this coming season.
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IN Q="YOU KNOW WINNING...
((WILLIS WHITE/SALEM HEAD COACH:))
SUPER=50-Willis White/Salem Head Coach; :00
SUPER=51-Roanoke/1996 Division IV Final; :07
RUNS=:43
OUT Q=...OF ANYBODY."
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ANCHOR=Mike
SS=3 shot

A great analogy and great way of looking at things.
We hope we've managed in some small way to prepare you for the upcoming season, and help you put things in perspective for 1997.
Roy, Steve and I look forward seeing each of you throughout the Fall. go to close and credits Take care everybody. We'll see you next Friday night at 11:35.