Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 3, 1991 TAG: 9104030192
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Indians have reached the finals of the state Group AA high school soccer playoffs both years the tournament has been held. They won the first-ever state title in 1989 and finished second last year.
Blacksburg has dominated the New River District since the league started playing soccer about a decade ago. This year the Indians could do it again as their only two league rivals remaining - Christiansburg and Radford - suffered substantial graduation losses.
"We'd like to be [back in the state finals] but right now it's hard to say," Blacksburg coach Pat Johnson said. "It depends on whether or not the ball team comes together. I know it's a cliche, but if you have one player who doesn't like to play as a team, no matter how many other good people you have, you won't be as good as you could be."
There are other soccer questions in the New River Valley besides those involving Blacksburg. How well will Christiansburg's new tactical approach work? Can Giles - the team without a district - find competition? Will this be the year Pulaski County moves into third place in the Roanoke Valley District? And how long will it take a young Radford team to come around?
For the answers to those and other questions, consider these team-by-team reports:
\ BLACKSBURG: With more than half its lineup back from last year's state finalists, the Indians are going to be tough, not only in the New River District but in the post-season as well.
But Blacksburg has made it tougher on itself as well. Its non-district schedule includes Salem, Northside, North Cross, Pulaski County, Dobyns-Bennett of Kingsport, Tenn., and Tennessee High of Bristol, Tenn.
"It'll be a little different playing the tough schedule," said Johnson.
Blacksburg should, as always, be strong defensively. Among the senior returnees are goal keeper Eric Baumgartner, stopper Kurt Stromberg and sweeper Matt Stinchcomb. Also back is starting fullback Tommy Sarver, a junior.
Midfielders Andrew Shires and Jason Becker and forward Nathan Warren, all seniors, also return.
Other returnees include seniors Gianni Karmis, Jeff Ruppert, Stephen Lewis (midfielders) and Jeff Stokes (fullback); juniors Jeremy Allen, Zack Shifflett (forwards), Joe Zipper (midfielder), Rob Stewart (fullback) and Travis Bishop (goal keeper); and sophomore Todd Lyons (forward).
\ CHRISTIANSBURG: With its top playmaker from last year - Dave Thomas - having graduated, look for the Blue Demons to attack differently in 1991.
"We've changed our tactical approach," said coach Sam Grushal. "We no longer have that game-breaking type person. And in high school, with the improving defenses, even if we had a person like that, it wouldn't be as easy [to attack] as it was last year."
This year, Christiansburg's offense will be generated by several individuals. Among them are striker Todd Altizer and midfielder Brent Hendricks, both seniors. Altizer has a strong shot and Hendricks scored a pair of goals in the Demons' season-opener.
The defense is anchored by even more seniors. Goal keeper Rick Clifton has grown and is more mobile than last year. Midfielder Jerry Franks charges in well. And defenders Kenny Bradford and Derek Armstrong have improved and can play an opponent close.
After that though, the Demons will have to depend on younger players as graduation took more than Thomas from the team that finished second in the five-team New River race last year.
\ GILES: First-year coach Neil Schmidt has two problems to overcome as he takes over the Spartans - a lack of opponents and a lack of knowledge about his players.
"We're still looking for a couple of games," Schmidt said. "I think we'll have a pretty good team. But it's hard to tell. I'm not sure what our capabilities are."
Four players are back for Giles. The returning strength starts in net with senior Craig Gowdy. The others back all play the midfield: senior Travis Hale, junior Brent Rampey and sophomore Michael Shannon. Hale and Rampey will also see some action at fullback while Shannon may be used as a striker.
However, scheduling may be the biggest problem for the Spartans as they only have five games. Giles has home-and-home series against George Wythe, another former New River District member, and Marion and a match at Virginia High of Bristol.
\ PULASKI COUNTY: This should be the best year yet for the Cougars. They are all poised and ready to jump past Franklin County and into third place in the Roanoke Valley District.
"We're trying to focus on defensive skills," said coach Jim Couch. "We're emphasizing preventing high scoring matches against us. We've had some high-scoring matches in the past. We're trying to put that behind us this year."
Leading Pulaski County on defense will be senior goal keeper Mark Barnes. He stopped two dozen shots in Pulaski's season-opener. Also back on defense is stopper Dustin Lyons, a senior.
Two other returnees will give the Cougars experience at the other end of the field: senior center halfback Scotty McNeal and junior forward Craig Dobbyns.
Pulaski will also benefit from a couple of sophomores - junior varsity co-captains Brad McConnell, a fullback, and Anthony Smith, a forward.
Cave Spring and Patrick Henry will again be the top teams in the Roanoke Valley.
\ RADFORD: The Bobcats will try to overcome a lack of size and experience with athletic ability and togetherness.
They have only four seniors. But the Bobcats also have team members who double as members of the track team. And coach Michael Greco is stressing on-the-field cohesiveness.
"If my team can play together as a unit, we'll do OK," said Greco. "Otherwise, it [the New River] is a real strong district and we're in for some tough competition.
Radford will be strongest on defense - all four senior returnees are fullbacks. Anchoring the defense will be John Morehouse. Also back are David Buck, Ivan Rocourt and Jim Richardson.
Among the other returnees are junior fullbacks Kevin Cropper and Jason Pontious and sophomore goal keeper Chad Floyd. Also back are midfielders Joseph Bugliese and Ben Turnaur and forwards Joel Young and Kevin Fellin, all juniors.
Richardson, Cropper and Turnaur also are distrance runners on the track team.
Radford will also get some help from its freshmen. Among those expected to make an immediate contribution are forward Casey Underwood, midfielder Andrew Cogswell and utility player Brent Brown.
by CNB