Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 1, 1993 TAG: 9309010115
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Mountaineers are the only team to beat the Spartans since Salem dropped from the Group AAA Roanoke Valley District in 1988.
Salem has a 22-1 record against the Group AA Blue Ridge District and has won 19 consecutive league games. The average margin has been 30.1 points.
"I don't know about getting Salem," says Tom McIntyre, Alleghany's coach. "Teams like Salem have a winning tradition and tend to find kids who can play."
The Mountaineers have eight starters returning on each side of the ball, but their leading rusher in 1992, Phillip Godfrey, transferred to Covington in the spring and no longer is playing football.
The best player on Alleghany's roster - and one of the best in Timesland - is 6-foot-5 Todd Wheatley, a defensive end and tight end who is regarded as a major-college prospect.
\ Rockbridge County is rebuilding under Jamie Talbott. The Wildcats may not have enough starters back to compete in the upper echelon of the Blue Ridge District. Still, Talbott has a way of turning out winners, as he did at tiny Group A Natural Bridge before he became coach of the new Rockbridge County program in the fall of 1992.
In the Piedmont District, Magna Vista doesn't have the numbers, but the Warriors still appear ready to challenge for another crown. Last year, coach Don Bateman's crew won 11 consecutive games before losing to eventual state champion Jefferson Forest in the Group AA Region III Division 3 title game.
"We have only 27 people on the team, but we've got good quickness and speed," Bateman says. "We don't have a lot of depth, so injuries can wipe us out."
The Warriors already have lost defensive back Jermaine Simmons for three to six week with a knee injury.
Still, Magna Vista has quarterback Rodney Redd and fullback Evan Penn, who combined for more than 1,600 yards rushing in '92. Besides Simmons, there are five defensive starters back.
\ Martinsville hopes to make the playoffs after a year's absence with fullback-linebacker Chris Frith leading the way. Todd Johnson returns after leading the Piedmont District in punting. The Bulldogs also figure wide receiver-defensive back McQuail Gravely, wide receiver-linebacker Carson Shearer, running back Nakia Townsend and lineman Dale Woods will keep them in the race for first in the Piedmont District.
\ Bassett, under new coach Bobby Martin, has a numbers problem, too. The Bengals hope fullback Clifford Wimbush and tailback Darryle Hand give them enough offense as they run behind center Zach Pring. The defense have five returning starters.
\ Laurel Park has a good nucleus back on the offensive line, headed by tight end Chad Oakes and tackle Early Hairston.
\ Fieldale-Collinsville went 3-7 last year, but that was the best record for the Cavaliers since they jumped from the Group A ranks to the Group AA Piedmont District in 1988. Fieldale-Collinsville went with some younger players a year ago, so the Cavaliers could improve on that mark.
by CNB