Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 2, 1993 TAG: 9308310317
SECTION: NEW RIVER VALLEY PAGE: PF-26 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Except that the Blue Devils aren't that big anymore.
For the past several autumns, Head Coach Bill Strong - possibly the most aptly named football czar in Timesland - has trotted out muscle-bound hulks who could frighten the bulls of Pamplona into running the other way.
Husky types such as Freddie Mallory, a 6-foot-3-inch, 260-pound behemoth who flattened many an MED foe like biscuit dough and is now a Ferrum freshman, no longer fit the profile.
Now, it's the svelte, comparatively lithe figures of Eric Montgomery (5-8, 170), Bobby Jones (6-2, 175), Anthony Young (5-10, 160) and Chris Travers (5-9, 180) who form the new prototype of a Grayson County trench warrior.
"We're very small," said Strong, who has won 100 games in 15 years at the Independence school. "We've gone completely the other direction."
Not really. Even though they don't boast the size of past teams, this year's Blue Devils will stay right where they are, near the top of the MED. Last year, they went 7-1 in district play to finish behind Giles. The Blue Devils lost 25-7 to Glenvar in the first round of the playoffs to finish 9-2 overall.
Grayson and Giles are expected to fight for the MED title once again, although Narrows, Galax and Floyd County could jump into the fray.
"I think this is going to be the toughest league in this region," said Strong. "Top to bottom, it's as tough as any."
Narrows coach Don Lowe concurred: "It's a league that gets better every year."
If Grayson is to finish on top, it will be because of speed and defense. The swift-moving offensive line should allow senior quarterback Bobby Cheeks, who threw for 743 yards out of a run-dominated offense last year, to have ample time to pick his targets, such as sure-fingered senior Shane Griffith.
The Blue Devils will miss departed tailback Daniel Cox (1,005 yards in '92), but a trio of tailbacks - Jason Byrd, Keith Johnson and Leon Kyle - should do quite well in Strong's "I-bone" set.
The defense also will be quick and swarming, with a number of starters returning.
"We'll be better defensively," said Strong. "We're still trying to get some offensive consistency."
Grayson County may have a tough time with its arch-rival GALAX, as will the rest of the Mountain Empire.
Temple Kessinger's Maroon Tide returns 17 starters from a 4-7 squad that lost 22-0 to Parry McCluer in the playoffs.
"Last year was a fluke," said Kessinger. "There's no way in the world we'll ever get back [to the playoffs] like that."
Ten of those returnees are underclassmen. A total of 33 players on the 40-man roster saw varsity playing time last year.
"We think we'll be better this year," said Kessinger, but "I don't know how much better."
Galax has a well-stocked offensive arsenal, which will be directed by junior quarterback Andy Ashworth and features talented tailbacks Bobby Melton and Eli Lowe and super-fast tight end Neal Thompson.
Never let it be said that high school coaches can't adapt. Kessinger is making wholesale change on both sides of the line, switching from a veer-T to a pro-I on offense, and scrapping the wide-tackle six in favor of a 5-3 that will make better use of team speed.
\ FORT CHISWELL has a new coach in Larry Neely, who worked under the tutelage of the esteemed Dean Rhea at Rural Retreat. Neely takes over a squad that went 2-8 a year ago, but he has high hopes for this season.
Many of the starters from last year are back, but they'll have to adjust to Neely's system, which features a pro-style offense. The Pioneers will rely on power running of backs David Felts and Scott Hale, and quarterback Kenny Jones will be throwing lots of passes to his twin brother, Chris.
Felts is one of the top linebackers in the district, and he'll lead a defense that should be strong up front.
One team that could play spoiler before the year is out is BLAND, that unique second-year outfit composed of Rocky Gap and Bland high schools and co-coached by Ed Selfe and David Lambert.
The Bears took their licks during their first varsity season to the tune of a 1-9 record, the one win coming over Holston. It marked the first time Bland players had experienced a disappointing football season since they began their careers as eighth-graders four years ago. In fact, the junior varsity went 7-1 last season and will provide several key players for the varsity roster, which has just three seniors.
The Bears have good size - offensive tackle and defensive end Jess Selfe is 6-6, 200 pounds; center Donnie Havens is 5-10, 221 - and quarterback David Alan Lambert and halfback Joe Cromer should have productive campaigns.
"I don't think we'll surprise people anymore," said Ed Selfe.
\ PROJECTED FINISHES: 1, Giles; 2, Grayson County; 3, Narrows; 4, Galax; 5, Floyd County; 6, Fort Chiswell; 7, Auburn; 8, Shawsville; 9, Bland County.
by CNB