Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 26, 1992 TAG: 9203260326
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-18 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
But soccer wasn't a factor when McCarthy's parents were deciding which school their son would attend. While Roanoke Catholic School may not have had the soccer program the others had, it offered the type of environment the McCarthys wanted.
"We're a Catholic family, and we've all gone through the Catholic school system," said McCarthy, who moved to Roanoke from Marion, Ohio, at the start of the sixth grade. "My parents wanted me to have a Catholic school education."
Although Roanoke Catholic doesn't have the soccer reputation of some of the area's other schools, McCarthy has developed into one of the best players in the city. This season, the Celtics finally could have the success McCarthy hopes for.
"We can have a good year," said McCarthy, a senior sweeper. "If we play up to our potential, we have a lot of guys who can be effective. We only lost one senior. This is the best chance we'll have to win the Virginia Independent Conference. This has to be the year."
Compactly built with keen field vision, McCarthy is a top-notch leader with excellent soccer skills. He is listed as center halfback, but he roams the field for Roanoke Catholic either generating offense or supporting on defense.
"He knows what he has to do," said Roanoke Catholic coach Jerry Eubank. "I'm prejudiced, but of every player I've seen in the valley, none has P.J.'s field awareness or skills. I think he's the best."
An All-VIC performer, McCarthy also stars for the Roanoke Star Under-19 team. Last month, he was one of 16 players selected to the Virginia Under-19 Olympic Development team.
"P.J.'s extremely talented," said Roanoke Star coach Danny Beamer. "He's one of the most skillful players to come out of Roanoke. He can view the field and put the ball wherever he wants to."
Beamer said several colleges are recruiting McCarthy, but wherever he decides to go to school, soccer - again - won't enter into the equation.
"I've decided not to play in college at all," said McCarthy, who is considering majoring in accounting. "I want to take a break from it. It's just a personal decision I've made. That could eventually change because I might miss playing. Maybe after my freshman year I'll try it again."
Coming off a 3-8 season, Roanoke Catholic is aiming at knocking North Cross out of its perennial seat as VIC champion.
"I've got seven seniors, and I look for a lot of good things to happen," said Eubank, whose team never has beaten North Cross. "We have three or four of the best players in the valley, and a good group of kids who are hard working. There's great potential here."
In McCarthy and seniors Sean McFadden, Charles Cunningham, Micah Thompson and Jason Grimmell, the Celtics have a nucleus that has played together for more than four years.
"I would like to see this program going on the upswing," said Eubank. "I think we should turn around this year."
A look at other teams:
\ CAVE SPRING: The defending Roanoke Valley District champion lost 10 seniors from last year's 13-3-1 squad but will have plenty of experience with eight seniors this year.
Striker Bobby Warnick scored six goals last year and will be joined up front by sophomore Martin Szumanski. Trey Phillips and Tom Blankenship will anchor the midfield, and Artie Bush and Pat Murphy the defense. Goalie Steve Collins is a member of the state Under-19 Olympic Development team.
\ GLENVAR: The Highlanders have a new coach in Steve Franco and a host of young players. The Pioneer District team will have eight players, including freshman Allison Waymack, who will start at right wing.
Sophomores Jason Huntley and Branden Van Ravesteing will join Waymack up front. Exchange student Kunute Grongstead from Norway will be at sweeper, and Lucien Leupi from Switzerland will be in goal. The Highlanders lost their season-opener to William Fleming.
\ JAMES RIVER: The Knights have seven starters back but will have eight freshmen, including forward Issac Minni.
Senior striker Tom Eide is back, as are halfback Christian Ramsey, fullback Robbie Hendricks and goalie Barry Brown. James River, a Pioneer District team, has increased its schedule to 10 games.
\ LORD BOTETOURT: The Cavaliers are in their third season of varsity soccer, but coach Jerry Wertz's squad pulled off a surprise last year by finishing second to William Byrd in the Blue Ridge District.
Botetourt has 11 players who have been with the team from its beginning, including forward Mike Felton, who was a second-team All-Timesland performer as a junior. Goalie John Critzer and midfielder Kris Keeton also will provide leadership.
\ NORTH CROSS: The Raiders will be a junior-dominated team led by midfielder Ryan Cook, a second-team All-Timesland selection, and stopper John Logan, who is on the under-19 Virginia Olympic Development team.
Sweeper Stewart Baucom is the only senior starter. Junior Mark Roberts will lead the front line, and John Kinney will be in the goal. Last season, North Cross suffered its first ever VIC loss.
\ NORTHSIDE: The Vikings of the Blue Ridge District are coming off a disappointing season and are looking for better things.
Returning players include midfielders Ron Pritchard, Aaron Curfiss and Chuck Jordan and fullback Kevin Porterfield. Midfielder Marco Schulter is an exchange student from Germany.
\ PATRICK HENRY: The Roanoke Valley District team suffered a critical blow when All-Timesland midfielder Wes Burrow broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during preseason practice. Burrow will be out indefinitely, and his absence has caused Patriots coach Ed McMichael to do some reorganizing.
J.P. Wilson will move from sweeper to Burrow's center halfback position. Senior Mike Renner moves to sweeper. The return of midfielder Mike Surrusco, who missed last season with an injury, will help. Sophomore strikers Jack Edwards and Asheley Kinsey played as freshman.
\ SALEM: The Spartans graduated 10 players last year, and most were starters.
Halfbacks Matt Harris and Chris Cross will provide leadership for an inexperienced team Blue Ridge District team. Senior Greg Kuetemier likely will start in the goal.
\ WILLIAM BYRD: A year ago, with a team that had lost nine starters, the Terriers made it to the Group AA championship game before losing to Parkview Sterling.
This season William Byrd again will have at least nine new starters.
Goalie Jason Crist is back, and strikers Kevin Niday and Hunter Durham have plenty of experience. Senior goalie Brad Wheeler and halfback Mitch Bennett return after being ineligible last season.
The Blue Ridge District team will be helped by exchange students - Morten Dorsen from Norway, Michael Holm from Denmark and Reto Meyer from Switzerland.
\ WILLIAM FLEMING: The Colonels are young, but they have seniors at two critical positions - goalie John Coleman and sweeper Jeff Ostrander.
The Colonels still are building and may not be ready yet to challenge the top teams in the Roanoke Valley District, but they provide some surprises.
Fleming got goals from four players in a 4-2 season-opening victory at Glenvar.
by CNB