Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 2, 1993 TAG: 9308310320
SECTION: NEW RIVER VALLEY PREP FOOTBALL PAGE: PF-28 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HILLSVILLE LENGTH: Medium
For three days, anyway.
In these sloping hills of the Blue Ridge, where until recently, summer was viewed as the time when apple and peach crops were picked and curveballs perfected, a sort of football boot camp has been constructed these last two years.
It's a place where young, strapping types rise with the sun, participate in four workouts - two strenuous, two light - during the course of the day, then bunk down at night in the school's gym.
The next day, at 6:30 a.m., it starts over. Then again on the third day.
Welcome to "Fort Football," or, as players affectionately know it, the "Hotel Haynie."
Summer camp was never quite like this.
For the second year, Haynie ran a unique three-day football boot camp for the Cavaliers, who began their season Friday at Grundy.
Haynie got the idea when he was an assistant at Petersburg under Jim Jarvis, who picked it up from highly successful Sussex Central coach Dwight Reagan.
Reagan's teams "are always playing for a state championship, so it seemed like a good idea to me," said Haynie.
The days are filled and the schedules regimented at the Hotel Haynie. Players get up at 6 a.m., go through conditioning drills, eat breakfast, practice for an hour and a half, eat lunch, practice again (some lose lunch), eat dinner, work on kicking game, watch a movie or play cards, then hit the hardwood by 10 p.m.
"The big reason I do this isn't for the practice," said Haynie. "It's done to get everyone thinking as a team, as one big family."
The family that plays together, stays together, so to speak.
On the field, expect the Cavaliers to do more running than any Carroll County family since the notorious Allen clan broke for the hills after shooting up the courthouse.
Running backs Daniel Turman (561 yards last year) and Nicky Rodrique (208 yards in three starts in '92) will carry the bulk of the Carroll offense. Jason Kilbourne, a receiver last year, will be the quarterback, replacing Steve Dalton, who threw for 1,100 yards in his senior season. Much of that yardage - 510 yards of it, in fact - went to wide receiver Kevin DeHaven. He's gone, too.
The offensive line, with guard Shane Allen and tackle Kenneth Young returning, could be a strong point. Tight end Brian Hawks is a good blocker and pass grabber.
The offense will get a big lift from a couple of seniors who've never played varsity ball before: running back Bradley Leonard and split end Tony Berrier. What they lack in football experience, they make up for with a penchant for winning - both are stars in Carroll County's wonderfully successful baseball program; Leonard's a stud pitcher and Berrier's a solid-hitting catcher. Berrier also will be a bonus addition at safety.
In fact, Leonard, Berrier, Kilbourne and Hawks played key roles in Carroll's New River District baseball championship.
"They're good athletes," said Haynie. "They know how to play."
The defense will be anchored by senior linebacker Jerry Bono, a four-year starter and two-time All-NRD pick, once as a nose guard.
Unfortunately for Haynie, the defense will be without one of its stalwarts. Senior linebacker Chad McGrady, a two-time NRD wrestling champ, ruptured two discs in his back, effectively ending his athletic career.
Losing McGrady "just killed us," said Haynie. "I'm just thankful that we found out about it, for the kid's sake. He could've hurt himself a lot worse."
Carroll, which lost all three of its district games last year in a 4-6 season, most likely will battle Radford and Christiansburg for second place in the New River behind Blacksburg.
"We've got good players," said Haynie. "We're just inexperienced."
by CNB