Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 2, 1993 TAG: 9309020723
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-26 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BRIAN DeVIDO STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Pulaski County should win the Roanoke Valley District once again.
As the 1992 Group AAA Division 6 champions, could the Cougars (12-2 overall, 4-0 in the district last year) be anything but the favorites?
Seven starters return on offense, and eight are back from a defense that held teams to an average of 10 points per game during the regular season. Since Salem left for the Blue Ridge District five years ago, the only team besides Pulaski County to win the district has been William Fleming. The Colonels shared the district title with the Cougars in 1988, and won the title outright in 1990.
If you go by tradition, the pick has to be Pulaski County. If you go by experience, it's still Pulaski County.
But predictions have never won titles. In case you forgot, there is more than one team in the Roanoke Valley District. The Cougars' rivals are hungry and ready to make their move.
William Fleming (6-5, 3-1) has nine starters back on offense and should be the biggest obstacle to Pulaski County's bid for another district title.
Senior tailback Eddie Jones, who rushed for 758 yards in seven games last year, returns to lead what should be one of the top ground games in Timesland. Jones will run behind an offensive line that will be very offensive to opponents. It averages about 250 pounds and includes tight end John St. Clair, a first-team All-Roanoke Valley District selection last year.
Senior Al Holland will be the starting quarterback for the third year in a row, and senior wide receiver Ernie Harrington, who caught 27 passes last year, will be his top target.
Harrington, a first-team All-Roanoke Valley District pick last year at safety, leads a strong secondary.
But can the Colonels unseat the Cougars?
"Pulaski's just Pulaski to us," William Fleming head coach Sherley Stuart says. "Winning the district, that's our No. 1 goal."
If it's not William Fleming, then maybe Patrick Henry (5-5, 2-2). First-team All-Group AAA quarterback Shannon Taylor will lead the aerial attack for a team that has 10 starters back. Taylor, a senior, threw for 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns last year. He also ran for eight TDs. Taylor threw for 425 yards in a 39-26 loss to Pulaski County.
The Patriots will keep the ball in the air as long as Taylor can throw it. Ben Johnson and Walter West, Taylor's top two targets from last year, have graduated, but sophomore wide receiver Jamie Price had 19 catches for 400 yards in '92. Senior running backs Adrian Moore and Ike Williams combined for 500 yards last year and will run behind offensive linemen who average 220 pounds.
The defense, though, is what concerns head coach Ed Scott.
The linemen will average only 180 pounds, so the Patriots will feature stunts and slants to utilize their quickness. Seniors Rod Akers, Danny Graham, Andre Irving and Randy Burch make up a solid secondary.
Cave Spring will be Barber-less this year. Tiki Barber, an All-Timesland selection at running back last year, and his brother, Ronde, have graduated. Three of the four returning starters on offense are linemen, so senior running back Matt Ireland may have holes to run through. Senior Lee Flora and sophomore Jeff Lang will battle for the starting quarterback job. Only two starters return on defense. Last year's starting linebacking and secondary corps have graduated, so matching last year's record (4-6, 1-3) will be an accomplishment.
"This is a very green bunch," head coach Steve Spangler says. "They're going to take it upside the head some."
Franklin County (0-10, 0-4) hopes to break its 18-game losing streak, the longest current skid in Group AAA. The Eagles can't go anywhere but up. Senior quarterback Scott Lynch, who last year became the first player in the history of the school to throw for more than 1,000 yards in a season, is back. So are receivers Steve McGhee and Joey Campbell, who caught a combined 40 passes last year. Running back Stacy Helms ran for 700 yards in seven games last year, but only senior center Randon Webber returns on the offensive line.
The secondary, with McGhee, Campbell and junior John Sawyers returning as starters, should be the strongest part of the defense.
\ PROJECTED FINISH: 1, Pulaski County; 2, William Fleming; 3, Patrick Henry; 4, Cave Spring; 5, Franklin County.
CAVE SPRING
1992 record: 4-6 overall, 1-3 Roanoke Valley District
Coach: Steve Spangler, second year
Returning starters: Shawn Clevinger, Sr., OL-DT, 6-0, 220; Stewart Peters, Sr., TE-DE, 6-2, 182; Byron Dowdy, Sr., C (will also play LB), 5-9, 190; Doug Popik, Sr., WR (will also play DB), 5-11, 163.
Other key players: O.J. Beane, Jr., FB-LB, 5-5, 182; Dusty Beekman, Jr., RB-DB, 6-0, 165; Adam Boitnott, Sr., FB-LB, 5-11, 175; Matt Ireland, Sr., RB-DB, 5-11, 173; Anthony Woollums, Jr., RB-DB, 6-0, 165; Jeff Wright, Jr., RB-DB, 5-10, 165.
Major losses: Tiki Barber, RB-DB, 5-11, 180; Ronde Barber, RB-DB, 5-11, 175; Jason Tuggle, QB-DB, 5-11, 170; Ashley Valentine, FB-LB, 5-10, 170; Gene Wheeler, FB-LB, 5-10, 190.
Coach's comments: "Last year, a lot of people knew Tiki [Barber] was the go-to back. This year, we don't have the big-play person, but we have consistent guys who'll pound the yardage out."\ \ 1993 SCHEDULE
Sept. 10, at Martinsville, 8 p.m.; 17, E.C. Glass, 8 p.m.; 24, Heritage, 8 p.m.
Oct. 1, at Northside, 8 p.m.; 8, GW-Danville, 8 p.m.; 15, at Franklin Co., 8 p.m.; 22, Patrick Henry, 8 p.m.; 29, William Fleming, 8 p.m.
Nov. 5, at Salem, 8 p.m.; 12, at Pulaski Co., 8 p.m.
FRANKLIN CO.
1992 record: 0-10, 0-4
Coach: Horace Green, second year
Returning starters: Joey Campbell, Sr., CB-WR, 5-10, 150; Landon Cuff, Jr., NG (will play LB), 5-10, 185; Stacy Helms, Sr., TB (will also play LB), 5-10, 175; Travis Kelley, Sr., TE (will also play DE), 5-10, 170; Scott Lynch, Sr., QB (will also play DB), 5-9, 150; Steve McGhee, Jr., DB-WR, 6-1, 192; John Sawyers, Jr., CB (will also play WR), 5-9, 148; Randon Webber, Sr., C (will also play LB), 5-10, 203.
Other key players: Brian Hurt, Jr., WR, 5-9, 150; Mike Smith, Sr., G-K, 6-0, 175.
Major losses: Ryan Montgomery, FB-DE, 6-0, 180; Ricky Young, OT-DT, 6-2, 280.
Coach's comments: "We have to stop making mistakes. Our attitude needs to change from last year. We have to crack that mental attitude and go out thinking we can beat somebody."
\ 1993 SCHEDULE
Friday, GW-Danville, 8 p.m.; 10, Laurel Park, 8 p.m.; 17, at Heritage, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1, at E.C. Glass, 7:30 p.m.; 8, at Pulaski Co., 8 p.m.; 15, Cave Spring, 8 p.m.; 22, Halifax Co., 8 p.m.; 29, at Patrick Henry, 8 p.m.
Nov. 5, William Fleming, 8 p.m.; 12, at Albemarle, 6:30 p.m. \ PATRICK HENRY
1992 record: 5-5, 2-2
Coach: Ed Scott, fourth year
Returning starters: Rod Akers, Sr., DB, 5-10, 170; Eugene Cook, Sr., TE-LB, 6-3, 210; Danny Graham, Sr., DB, 5-10, 170; Zac Hayden, Sr., OT, 6-3, 240; Vince McGhee, Sr., G, 6-4, 220; Adrian Moore, Sr., TB, 5-10, 155; Tony Nugue, Sr., DT, 5-9, 240; Jamie Price, Soph., WR, 5-7, 125; Shannon Taylor, Sr., QB, 6-5, 225.
Other key players: Mark Anderson, Sr., OL, 6-5, 290; Marty Brown, Jr., DE, 6-0, 190; Randy Burch, Sr., DB, 5-9, 160; Chris Combs, Jr., DE-TE, 6-5, 200; Andre Irving, Sr., WR-DB, 5-10, 155; Ryan Johnston, Jr., DL, 5-10, 180; Shawn Leftwich, Sr., LB, 5-9, 145; Richard Mason, Jr., DL, 6-0, 205; Ike Williams, Sr., RB, 5-11, 215.
Major losses: Ben Johnson, WR; Walter Sharpley, C-DT; Walter West, WR-DB.
Coach's comments: "Our defense needs to improve if we're going to get to the next level. We averaged 22 points a game last year and gave up 16. That's too much."
\ 1993 SCHEDULE
Sept. 10, William Fleming, 8 p.m.; 17, GW-Danville, 8 p.m.; 24, Albemarle, 8 p.m.
Oct. 1, at Halifax County, 8 p.m.; 8, E.C. Glass, 8 p.m.; 15, at Heritage, 8 p.m.; 22, at Cave Spring, 8 p.m.; 29, Franklin County, 8 p.m.
Nov. 5, Pulaski County, 8 p.m.; 12, at William Fleming (Victory Stadium), 8 p.m.
\ PULASKI COUNTY
1992 record: 12-2, 4-0 (Group AAA Division 6 champions)
Coach: Joel Hicks, 15th year
Returning starters: Tim Davis, Jr., CB (will also play SE), 5-9, 155; Billy Ingles, Sr., P-KO (will also play LB), 6-0, 165; Eric Webb, Jr., WB-LB, 6-1, 196; Jammon Payne, Sr., TE (will also play LB), 6-1, 196; Jeff Berkley, Sr., LB, 6-0, 198; Brian Redd, Sr., FB-DE, 5-11, 205; Carl Lewis, Sr., RB-S, 5-8, 150; Andre Eaves, Jr., QB-CB, 5-8, 151; Wayne Page, Sr., C, 6-2, 190; Randy Dunnigan, Sr., OT-DT, 6-3, 275; Wayne Puckett, Sr., OT, 6-3, 257; Larry Newcomb, Sr., DT (will also play G), 6-2, 247; Shayne Graham, Soph., K, 5-6, 135.
Other key players: Chris Lanson, Jr., DT-OT, 5-10, 225; C.A. Burkes, Sr., FB, 5-8, 188; Brad Page, Sr., WR, 6-1, 170; Timmy Kimbrough, Sr., RB, 6-0, 186; Mike Thomas, Jr., RB, 6-0, 210; Reggie Page, Jr., DL, 6-0, 180; Joe Edwards, Sr., OT, 6-0, 276; Jon Lilly, Jr., TE, 6-4, 205.
Major losses: Jereme Greer, G, 6-1, 194; Roger Hollins, G-LB, 6-2, 200; Robbie Hager, LB, 6-0, 188; J.J. Housel, RB, 5-8, 165; Chad Lewis, SE, 5-7, 169; Cameron Lewis, DT, 6-2, 264.
Coach's comments: "I haven't heard `state championship' mentioned [in the locker room]. I think everyone knows it was 1992, not 1993."
\ 1993 SCHEDULE
Friday, Anacostia, D.C., 8 p.m.; 10, at E.C. Glass, 8 p.m.; 17, at Bluefield (W.Va.), 8 p.m..
Oct. 1, Heritage, 8 p.m.; 8, Franklin Co., 8 p.m.; 15, Salem, 8 p.m.; 22, at William Fleming (Victory Stadium), 8 p.m.; 29, at Northside, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 5, at Patrick Henry (Victory Stadium), 8 p.m.; 12, Cave Spring, 8 p.m.
WILLIAM FLEMING
1992 record: 6-5, 3-1
Coach: Sherley Stuart, seventh year
Returning starters: Jason Duncan, Sr., DT (will play G), 5-11, 230; Raytoine Gray, Jr., P, 5-10, 180; Ernie Harrington, Sr., WR-DB, 5-11, 175; Al Holland, Sr., QB (will also play DB), 5-9, 170; Eddie Jones, Sr., RB-CB, 5-10, 205; Greg Jourett, Sr., LB, 6-0, 222; Russell Mills, Jr., OT (will also play DT), 6-6, 312; William O'Neil, Sr., FB (will also play LB), 5-9, 185; Mike Souma, Sr., WR-LB, 5-10, 190; John St. Clair, Jr., TE (will also play DT), 6-5, 240; Paul Wallace, Jr., C-DT, 6-0, 265.
Other key players: Jermaine Morton, Sr., G (will also play DE), 5-9, 205; Shawn Wright, Soph., CB, 5-6, 127.
Major losses: Tim Beatty, DE, 6-0, 210; Kevin Ford, DE, 6-2, 240; Hampton Kier, G, 6-0, 265; Dwayne Miller, G, 6-0, 325; Anthony Preston, LB, 6-2, 215. Coach's comments: "We'd like to run the football this year; that's no surprise. We're not going to do anything different. Our offense should be our biggest strength. I hope we can put some points on the board."
1993 SCHEDULE
Friday, Heritage, 8 p.m.; 10, at Patrick Henry, 8 p.m.; 17, at Halifax Co., 7:30 p.m.; 24, at E.C. Glass, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1, GW-Danville, 8 p.m.; 8, at Albemarle, 6:30 p.m.; 22, Pulaski Co., 8 p.m.; 29, at Cave Spring, 8 p.m.
Nov. 5, at Franklin Co., 8 p.m.; 12, Patrick Henry, 8 p.m.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB