Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 2, 1993 TAG: 9309020710
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-27 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BRIAN DeVIDO STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
He ran for more than 5,000 yards in his high school career, and he led Glenvar to an 11-1 record (5-0 in the district) last year.
Now that Brandon Semones has graduated, the Highlanders have some pretty big shoes to fill. Or do they?
"We've felt all along that no one person ever made a team or program," Glenvar head coach Brian Hooker says. "This season will just be business as usual."
When the Highlanders get down to business, Semones won't be the only key player missing. Senior Kevin Keffer, a two-year starter at center and defensive tackle, developed a non-malignant brain tumor and can't play this year. That means Casey Mills, a junior tackle, will be the only returning starter on the offensive line.
No running back had more than 15 carries last year, but senior wide receivers David Robinson and Brad Melton, both 6-foot-4, will be ample targets for senior quarterback Mike Stanley.
Robinson, a first-team All Pioneer District selection in the secondary last year, senior Tim Carroll and sophomore Eric East lead a strong defensive backfield, and the linebackers should be solid.
"We want to uphold this tradition," Hooker says. "The guys feel like they've got something to prove."
Another team that feels it has something to prove is Parry McCluer (11-2, 4-1). The Fighting Blues made it to the state semifinals last year, but only two offensive starters return from that squad.
Head coach Bob Williams says his team could be in trouble.
"It's going to take a lot of hard work this year, and even then I'm not sure that'll be enough to get us back to where we were last year," he says.
Gone are four-year starting quarterback Mike Twitty, all-district running back Robbie Dickinson and All-Timesland offensive tackle John Clark. Senior Shaam Wheeler will be the starting tailback, but he'll run behind an offensive line with only one returning starter.
The Blues should be stronger on defense, where six starters are back. Senior Craig Floyd, who had 128 tackles last year, will be the unit's leader.
\ Bath County (2-8, 1-4) will run a single-wing offense featuring senior tailback Michael Edwards, junior fullback Billy Thomas and senior blocking back Timmy Tuning. The trio combined for almost 1,500 yards rushing last year, but they'll be running behind a line that has only one returning starter.
"It's as good a stable of running backs as I've ever been around," says Steve Isaacs, the Chargers' head coach.
Tuning is the leading returning tackler, and Edwards is a four-year starter in the secondary.
Covington (4-6, 3-2) will try to achieve a more balanced offense than it had last year. That means senior Corey Hunter, who returns at quarterback, will look to throw more than the eight passes per game he averaged in 1992.
Sophomore back Tom Luckett ran for 400 yards in '92. Junior linebacker Robert Jackson, who didn't play last year, and senior ends Roscie Martin and Chuck Wiley lead the defense.
James River (4-6, 2-3) has only 21 players on its squad.
The offense will be a question mark for the Knights. Senior Todd Washington, who will start at quarterback, saw only limited time at that position last year. None of the receivers has caught a ball on the varsity level, and the leading returning rusher, Tony Sparks, had only 160 yards.
Jeremy Hendrix is the leading returning tackler for the Knights, and Washington had three interceptions at safety last year.
Craig County (1-9, 0-5) also has a numbers problem. The Rockets have 18 players on their squad this year.
Junior quarterback Robbie Huffman returns, and he'll likely throw the ball about 20 times a game. The offensive line, which had problems protecting Huffman last year, has only one returning starter.
The defense is led by Christopher Peters, an all-district selection in the secondary last year. He'll play as an outside linebacker this year. Senior outside linebacker Robert Eakin is the top returning tackler.
\ PROJECTED FINISH: 1, Parry McCluer; 2, Glenvar; 3, Bath County; 4, Covington; 5, James River; 6, Craig County.
\ BATH COUNTY
1992 record: 2-8 overall, 1-4 Pioneer District
Coach: Steve Isaacs, fourth year
Returning starters: Tommy Ady, Sr., DB, 5-6, 122; Michael Edwards, Sr., RB-DB, 5-8, 153; Ben Essex, Jr., RB, 5-11, 155; Doug Harmon, Sr., OT, 6-0, 283; Bil Liptrap, Jr., DB, 5-10, 138; Burton Neff, Sr., LB, 6-1, 176; Billy Thomas, Jr., FB, 5-10, 158; Timmy Tuning, Sr., RB-LB, 5-10, 180; Jimmy Woods, Sr., TE, 6-4, 188; Danny Woodzell, Sr., TE, 5-10, 156.
Other key players: Jamie Carroll, Jr., RB, 5-9, 155; Ivan Franklin, Soph., RB, 5-11, 180; Dennis Loan, Soph., C, 6-2, 240; Todd Townsend, Jr., OT-DT, 6-2, 190; Matt Williams, Soph., LB, 5-9, 167.
Major losses: Clay Booth, OT-DT, 5-10, 195; John Denius, SE-LB; 5-8, 155; Chris Essex, LB, 5-10, 180; Kirk Shaffier, C, 6-0, 205; Dale Thompson, G, 5-8, 185.
Coach's comments: "Our secondary is our biggest question mark. It's our most experienced unit, but we're doing more combination coverages this year. Last year, we did mostly zones. They've had to learn a lot of new schemes."
\ 1993 SCHEDULE
Friday, at Stuarts Draft, 7:30 p.m.; 10, Craig Co., 7:30 p.m.; 24, at Franklin (W.Va.), 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1, Covington, 7:30 p.m.; 8, at Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.; 15, at Moorefield, 7:30 p.m.; 22, Riverheads, 7:30 p.m.; 29, North Cross, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 5, at Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.; 12, James River, 7:30 p.m. \ COVINGTON
1992 record: 4-6, 3-2 Coach: John Woodzell, 13th year
Returning starters: Corey Hunter, Sr., QB, 5-9, 155; Andy Lambert, Sr., RB-DB, 5-11, 160; Roscie Martin, Sr., G-DE, 6-0, 190; Brian Rice, Sr., WR, 6-2, 165; Chuck Wiley, Sr., C-DE-P, 6-1, 185.
Other key players: Stacey Bishop, Sr., WR, 6-1, 160; Robert Jackson, Jr., LB-FB, 5-11, 175; Tom Luckett, Soph., RB-LB, 5-10, 155.
Major losses: Kriss Barber, G, 5-11, 180; Deshawn Cassells, OT-DT, 5-11, 230; Larry Helton, LB-FB, 5-11, 185; Marlon McKnight, OT, 5-11, 215; Demond Venable, RB, 6-1, 170.
Coach's comments: "We need to be mentally tough. That was one of our major problems last year. We probably lost three games we had a key shot at winning last year."
\ 1993 SCHEDULE
Friday, at Radford, 7:30 p.m.; 10, Christiansburg, 7:30 p.m.; 24, Alleghany, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1, at Bath Co., 7:30 p.m.; 8, at Rockbridge, 8 p.m.; 15, Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 22, at Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.; 29, Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m..
Nov. 5, James River, 7:30 p.m., 12, at Craig Co., 7:30 p.m. \ CRAIG COUNTY
1992 record: 1-9, 0-5
Coach: Greg Stick, second year
Returning starters: Christopher Peters, Sr., RB-DB (will play LB this year), 5-9, 143; Robbie Huffman, Jr., QB-DB, 6-2, 160; Zachary Peters, Jr., RB, 5-8, 139; Johnny Crawford, Jr., RB-LB (will play DL this year), 5-8, 152; Chris Blankenship, Jr., WR-DB (will play LB this year), 6-1, 162; Robert Eakin, Sr., OL-LB, 6-1, 167; Frankie Greenway, Jr., OL (also will play DL); 5-11, 171; Monte Bostic, Jr., DL, 5-10, 151; John Hall, Jr., WR-DB, 6-1, 153; Jason Via, Jr., DB, 5-9, 148.
Other key players: James Huffman, Soph., OL-DL, 6-5, 231; Josh Evans, Soph., OL-LB, 5-8, 179; Jordan Spence, Jr., OL-DL, 6-0, 246; Kasey Oiler, Soph., OL-DL, 6-2, 208; Justin Brown, Soph., RB-LB, 5-8, 148; Jason Blankenship, Soph., RB-DB, 5-8, 134.
Major losses: Charles Stone, G-LB, 5-9, 160; Ronnie Proffitt, WR-DE, 5-10, 180; Matt Craft, OT-DT, 6-2, 245; Billy Mitchell, G-LB, 5-9, 160 (academically ineligible).
Coach's comments: "We need to avoid injuries. Some of our best guys missed up to half the season last year with injuries. And if we have a situation where a lot of guys are going both ways, we're going to be in trouble."
\ 1993 SCHEDULE
Friday, at Union (W.Va.), 7:30 p.m.; 10, at Bath Co., 7:30 p.m.; 17, at Bland, 7:30 p.m.; 24, Lord Botetourt, 8 p.m.
Oct. 8, James River, 7:30 p.m.; 15, at Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.; 22, Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.; 29, at Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 5, Auburn, 7:30 p.m.; 12, Covington, 7:30 p.m.\ GLENVAR
1992 record: 11-1, 5-0
Coach: Brian Hooker, fifth year
Returning starters: Tim Carroll, Sr., DB, 5-6, 146; Josh Harth, Sr., DB-LB, 5-11, 161; Casey Mills, Jr., OT-DT, 6-0, 217; David Robinson, Sr., WR-DB, 6-4, 173; Mike Stanley, Sr., QB-LB, 6-0, 183; Joey Taylor, Jr., DB (moved to DE), 5-11, 171; Chad Wallace, Sr., WR-LB (moved to FB), 5-10, 155.
Other key players: Brian Eads, Jr., LB-RB, 5-7, 170; Eric East, Soph., RB-DB, 5-10, 155; Don Elliott, Soph., G-LB, 5-11, 170; David Henderson, Sr., DT-TE, 6-1, 224; Brad Melton, Sr., WR-DB, 6-4, 175; Kevin Perkins, Jr., OT-DT, 6-2, 258; Bryan Thomas, Soph., RB-LB, 5-8, 156.
Major losses: Rich Bryant, G-LB, 5-11, 175; Kevin Keffer (illness), C-DT, 6-1, 225; Ryan O'Malley, TE-DE, 6-0, 170; Jason Porter, FB-DE, 5-10, 175; Brandon Semones, RB-LB, 6-0, 185; Stacy Spangler, G-DT, 6-2, 205; Jason Woolwine, OT-DT, 6-2, 190.
Coach's comments: "We're trying to approach this season with more of a team aspect. No one person has to carry the load. I know every coach says this, but we'll have to run the football and play good defense in order to be successful."\ \ 1993 SCHEDULE
Friday, at Floyd Co., 7:30 p.m.; 10, Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 17, at William Byrd, 7:30 p.m.; 24, at Narrows, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1, at James River, 7:30 p.m.; 8, Bath Co., 7:30 p.m.; 22, Covington, 7:30 p.m.; 29, Craig Co., 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 5, Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.; 12, at Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m. \ JAMES RIVER
1992 record: 4-6, 2-3
Coach: Doug Ross, 11th year
Returning starters: Michael Baker, Sr., DB (will also play RB), 5-7, 154; Jeremy Hendrix, Sr., LB (will also play OT), 6-0, 202; Kevin Teery, Jr., C-DE, 6-0, 173; Chico Tolley, Sr., G (will also play DB-DE), 6-1, 160; Todd Washington, Sr., DB (will also play QB) 5-10, 184.
Other key players: Justin Bowyer, Jr., TB-DB, 5-7, 128; Micahel Broughman, Jr., OT-DT, 5-11, 166; Randy Brown, Jr., FL-DB, 5-9, 140; Johnny Burrell, Soph., OT-DT, 5-7, 245; Shahan Burrell, Soph., TB-LB, 6-0, 196; Wesley Cox, fresh., FB-DB, 5-10, 147; Darrick Davis, Soph., RB-DB, 5-8, 147; Freddie Johnson, Soph., FL-DB, 5-6, 131; Brent Jones, Jr., TE-DB, 5-11, 140; John Pearson, Jr., FB-LB, 6-0, 180; Robert Spangler, Jr., SE-DB, 5-7, 126; Tony Sparks, Sr., RB-FL-DB-LB, 5-5, 132; Dusty Thurston, Sr., TE-DE, 5-11, 154; Sonny Tolley, Jr., TE-DE, 5-9, 139; Mark Whiting, Soph., G-DT, 5-10, 170; Anton Wiley, Jr., SE-DB, 5-11, 148.
Major losses: Jimmy Adams, QB-DB, 5-10, 156; Anthony Christian, TB-LB, 5-9, 182; Chris Deisher, OT-FB-LB, 5-11, 237; Donald Huffman, G-LB, 5-10, 173; Chris MacLeish, TE-DE, 6-2, 184; Ethan Mason, G-LB, 5-6, 185; Daniel Peery, SE-DB, 6-0, 153; Troy Thompson, RB, 5-5, 130; Mike Ward, OT-DT, 6-0, 250.
Coach's comments: (On senior QB Todd Washington) "He's going to be elusive. He's not real big, but he's tough to get a hold of. He's an aggressive kid. He'll challenge some defenses."
\ 1993 SCHEDULE
Sept. 10, Chatham, 7:30 p.m.; 17, at Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 24, at William Byrd, 8 p.m.
Oct. 1, Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.; 8, at Craig Co., 7:30 p.m.; 15, Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.; 22, Cumberland, 7:30 p.m.; 29, Kenston Forest, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 5, at Covington, 7:30 p.m.; 12, at Bath Co., 7:30 p.m. \ PARRY McCLUER
1992 record: 11-2, 4-1
Coach: Bob Williams, 20th year
Returning starters: Joey Bates, Sr., CB, 5-11, 160; Kris Camden, Sr., NG (will also play OT), 5-10, 220; Craig Floyd, Sr., LB (will also play FB), 6-1, 190; Kevin Mikels, Sr., G (will also play DT), 5-10, 210; Brian Sizemore, Jr., DE (will also play QB), 6-4, 180; Jon Wheeler, Sr., CB (will also play RB), 5-10, 150; Shaam Wheeler, Sr., RB-DE, 6-2, 183.
Other key players: None.
Major losses: John Clark, OT-DT, 6-2, 230; Dwayne Davis, TE-LB, 5-10, 165; Robbie Dickinson, RB-LB, 5-8, 170; Scott McCormick, C, 5-9, 170; Paige Owens, OT-DT, 6-0, 190; Mike Twitty, QB, 5-10, 180.
Coach's comments: "An injury or two could just kill us. We've only got 30 players on the team. We usually have 45 to 50 out. I've seen it coming, though. Our JV numbers have been down for the past couple of years."
\ 1993 SCHEDULE
Friday, William Monroe, 7:30 p.m.; 10, at Alleghany, 7:30 p.m.; 17, at Riverheads, 7:30 p.m.; 24, Rockbridge, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1, Radford, 7:30 p.m.; 15, at James River, 7:30 p.m.; 22, at Craig Co., 7:30 p.m.; 29, at Covington, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 5, Bath Co., 7:30 p.m.; 12, Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.
by CNB