Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 2, 1993 TAG: 9308310322
SECTION: NEW RIVER VALLEY PREP FOOTBALL PAGE: PF-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Jerry Cannaday fully expected to give up football coaching last spring, kick off his shoes on vacation this year, play with his many grandchildren and start socializing in the fall.
Cannaday, a native of Roanoke who was an outstanding player at old Jefferson High and Virginia Tech, moved back to the city to be with his mother and mother-in-law three years ago. He gave up the job as head football coach at Bassett and wound up commuting 20 miles to Shawsville, where he has been athletic director and football coach for two years.
Last spring, Cannaday retired as football coach but kept his athletic director and teaching positions so he could spend time with his family. That was always in the game plan when he took over the Shawnees' football duties.
Everything was in place for Cannaday to retreat to his job as Shawsville's athletic director. He had spent two years putting the program in place so his successor would have a chance at making Shawsville respectable in the Mountain Empire District.
Cannaday insisted that in 1994 and 1995, Shawsville would be stronger than usual, because there were a lot of young kids in the program. Most years, the Shawnees had a hard time attracting football players, but Cannaday had reversed that trend, and this year the varsity - which one season numbered fewer than 20 - will dress around 35.
Mike Blevins was his chosen successor in June. Then, because of health problems, Blevins pulled out in late July, putting Shawsville in a bind three weeks before preseason practice.
"When I found out we needed a coach, Jerry was on vacation," said Shawsville principal Nelson Simpkins. "My major concern was what we could do to keep the momentum going that Jerry had established the previous two years. I felt it would be difficult to find someone of his caliber.
"I put it out on the grapevine that we were looking for a coach, but I didn't hear anything back. I felt I could find an unknown coach, but I would risk doing damage to our program and set it back two or three years."
Simpkins had his secretary track down Cannaday and pull him off the beach, where he was vacationing with wife, Gretchen.
"They didn't have to twist my arm too hard," said Jerry Cannaday. "Nelson had called some of the [other] people he had interviewed for the job, but it was so late, they couldn't leave their jobs."
"We had made some plans for September. I had never made plans for that month previously, but the family was very supportive," said Cannaday.
There was no problem when the Shawsville players found out that they had another year under Cannaday. He told them, "It didn't work out quite like I hoped, but that I was glad to be back. We'll just approach it like I never left."
Shawsville isn't likely to win the Mountain Empire District. As Cannaday said, the best years are ahead of Shawsville. Still, the Shawnees should be competitive and have a chance at a 5-5 record with a little luck and few injuries.
"We're smaller and quicker. I can see the difference on defense, where we are much quicker and have better foot speed. Still, we'll be hurt by inexperience," said Cannaday.
Darrell Bibb returns at quarterback. He suffered through a 3-7 season as a sophomore when he called all 10 games. "His experience will help a lot," said Cannaday, who expects the 5-foot-11 junior to be one of the district's best signal callers.
The Shawnees will have to replace tailback Jason Booth, Timesland's seventh-leading rusher with 1,167 yards, who also led the Mountain Empire District.
Ben Basham might take up a lot of slack. The 5-7, 175-pound senior sat out last year with an ankle injury.
"He has good leg drive and is one of the best tacklers we have. If he stays healthy, we look for him to have a good year," said Cannaday.
The future rests in players such as 6-0, 215-pound Anthony Creasy, a freshman lineman. "He might have started last year, but he couldn't because he was in eighth grade," said Cannaday.
Shawsville returns starters to 10 positions and has some size with 215-pound Dominique Ford, who is back at center, Creasy, and newcomers Travis Bandy and Junior Yopp.
by CNB