Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 2, 1993 TAG: 9309020520
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-35 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Those are the questions surrounding Roanoke's two private schools that play football.
\ North Cross (10-1 overall, 6-0 in the VIC) went unbeaten during the regular season and advanced to the State Independent Schools Division I championship game. The Raiders met Lynchburg Christian Academy, a team they had beaten to win the regular-season title in the Virginia Independent Conference.
In the championship game, though, North Cross' potent offense sputtered and the Raiders lost 6-0. LCA shut down junior running back Marcus Cardwell (792 yards rushing) and sophomore quarterback Hal Johnson (1,095 yards passing).
Cardwell and Johnson are back, and the Raiders have a number of other returning players, including linebacker/tight end Monty Smith - a member of the Timesland Sizzlin' Sophomore team.
"It looks like we're going to be decent at the skill positions, but we have to get together an offensive and defensive line," says Jim Muscaro, the Raiders' longtime coach. "If Johnson is given time, he has the potential to be really good."
The Raiders will miss Aaron Lange, a top-notch athlete who played fullback and linebacker, but Eric Mull returns as an all-state punter.
Overall, there is enough material for Muscaro to build another powerhouse.
\ Roanoke Catholic (2-6, 2-4) is playing its second season under coach John Cooke. The Celtics lost their first six games a year ago before winning the final two. They picked up where they left off Saturday with a 26-16 victory over Kenston Forest, which lost to North Cross in a 1992 state semifinal.
Catholic plays one of the toughest schedules among the private schools. The Celtics take on all four of the 1992 Division I state playoff teams - North Cross, Lynchburg Christian, Kenston Forest and Brunswick Academy - during an ambitious 10-game schedule.
"We've got a lot of balance and we should have a lot better passing game than we did a year ago," Cooke says.
That's because quarterback Mike Kolnok returns. He can look to veteran wide receivers Ben Spichek and Jeff Rassette.
There will be speed from freshman P.J. Moyer, who played as an eighth-grader and grew up with the rest of the team.
Like North Cross, Catholic also lost a key player in Rob Lavelle, who transfered from Cave Spring and anchored the offensive line while playing linebacker. Lavelle was Timesland's second-leading tackler, with 141 hits. \ NORTH CROSS
1992 record: 10-1 overall, 6-0 Virginia Independent Conference (VIC champions, Virginia Independent Schools Division I runner-up)
Coach: Jim Muscaro, 23rd year
Returning starters: Eric Mull, Sr., WB-DB, 6-0, 185; Jason Davis, Sr., DE, 6-1, 205; Montrice Smith, Jr., LB-TE, 6-1, 204; Dieter Oelschlager, Sr., DT, 6-2, 196; Marcus Cardwell, Sr., RB-DB, 6-0, 175; Brad Carroll, Sr., OT, 5-8, 190; Hal Johnson, Jr., QB, 6-6, 184; John Goodwin, Jr., G-NG, 5-11, 205.
Other key players: Hunter Smith, Fr., C, 5-11, 194; Philip Ramsey, Sr., OT-DT, 6-2, 185; Nathan Cox, Sr., OT-DT, 6-1, 230; Skip Johnson, Jr., WB-DB, 5-9, 170; Alex Kelly, Jr., DE-TE, 6-1, 180; Tripp Bell, Soph., DB, 5-8, 159; Clint Bundy, Soph., G, 5-10, 154; Jonathan Brumberg, Fr., G, 5-9, 147; James Kelly, Soph., G-LB, 5-10, 161; Bradley Densmore, Soph., RB-DB, 5-11, 168.
Major losses: Braxton Naff, C, 5-10, 185 (transferred to Patrick Henry); Aaron Lange, FB-LB, 5-11, 190; Jesse Webster, K-TE-DB, 6-0, 170; Ryan Shaver, DT, 6-1, 200; Carter Teague, WR-DB, 5-11, 150; Chad Coyne, G-DT, 6-0, 192; George Vogel, OT-DT, 6-1, 176; Scott Cooney, DE, 5-9, 158.
Coach's comments: "I'd say we have a lot of holes to fill. As sound as we are at the skill positions, we're not as strong up front. We need for someone to emerge as a leader."\ \ 1993 SCHEDULE
Sept. 10, Brunswick Academy, 4 p.m.; 17, Fishburne Military, 4 p.m.; 25, at Virginia Episcopal, 2 p.m.
Oct. 1, Roanoke Catholic, 3 p.m.; 9, at Randolph-Macon, 2:30 p.m.; 15, at Massanutten Military, 3 p.m.; 22, at Hargrave Military, 3 p.m.; 29, at Bath County, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 5, Lynchburg Christian, 3 p.m.
\ ROANOKE CATHOLIC
1992 record: 2-6 overall, 2-4 VIC
Coach: John Cooke, second year
Returning starters: Mike Kolnok, Sr., QB-K (will also play DE), 5-11, 182; Jeff Rassette, Sr., WR (will also play DB), 5-10, 147; Ben Spichek, Sr., WR (will also play DB), 5-9, 134; Philip Buchy, Jr., C-DE, 6-4, 200; Travis Shepard, Jr., OT-DT, 5-10, 184; P.J. Moyer, Fr., RB-DB, 5-9, 160; Kendall Selfe, Jr., DB, 5-11, 145; Beau King, Jr., DB (will move to OT and DT), 5-9, 210.
Other key players: Chris Roberts, Jr., LB-FB, 5-10, 195; Cameron Blount, Jr., RB-LB, 5-10, 162; Billy Massello, Jr., G-DL, 5-7, 150; Chuck Gilliland, Jr., G-DL, 5-9, 167; P.L. Bratton, Jr., DE-TE, 6-2, 150; Deon Royer, Jr., DB, 5-11, 135; Tony Joyce, Jr., DB, 5-9, 130; Jon Zax, Jr., OT-DT, 6-1, 291.
Major losses: Justin Thompson, G-LB-K, 6-0, 178; Rob Lavelle, LB-OT, 5-10, 168; Jeff Shepard, DT-G, 6-1, 180; Tony Williams, FB-NG, 6-1, 195.
Coach's comments: "Fundamentally, we're sounder than last year and the attitude is good. I feel good about this team. We've got a lot of balance and I see better than two wins this year."\ \ 1993 SCHEDULE (All home games at Victory Stadium)
Aug. 28, Roanoke Catholic 26, Kenston Forest 16.
Friday, at Brunswick Academy, 7:30 p.m.; 11, Hargrave Military, 2 p.m.; 17, at Randolph Henry, 7:30 p.m.; 24, at Lynchburg Christian (Liberty University), 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1, at North Cross, 3 p.m.; 9, Timber Ridge, 2 p.m.; 16, Miller School, 1 p.m.; 29, at Fishburne Military, 3 p.m.
Nov. 5, at Randolph-Macon, 3 p.m.
by CNB