Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 24, 1993 TAG: 9309230039
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-14 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Like a handful of tea leaves floating into place, like a crystal ball in which the fog is clearing, like a deck of tarot cards that has gone through its last shuffle, like one of those ancient black-and-white televisions that took forever to warm up, a picture of the football future in this little valley is coming into focus.
Three weeks are gone, time enough to evaluate, translate, and speculate on what we have here.
Speculation No. 1: Pulaski County is the best team that has ever played in these parts.
Others may have had more talented individuals, but there has never been as good a team in terms of the total package. Size, speed, skill, coaching, and will to win - the Cougars have it all.
"They are one of the finest high school football teams I've ever seen," said Bluefield (W.Va.) High coach Fred Simon after the Cougars flattened his team 56-7 last week.
Pulaski County coach Joel Hicks was hardly in a position to debate him, at least as far as that game was concerned.
"We looked sharp," he said, delivering high praise indeed.
Even at this point, what we're looking at is one huge burgundy-and-gold-bound portfolio of intimidation. Right on through to the end of the season, teams are are going to walk onto the field with feelings, only partially hidden, of impending doom. Salem won't scare easily - the Spartans never do - but sometimes common sense can't be ignored.
Speculation No. 2: It's going to be a carnival ride without a seatbelt in the New River District.
Two teams, Christiansburg and Radford, are in the early stages of what look like dramatic turnarounds.
Both teams have big-play capability. Christiansburg has a new offense in the Wing-T, which is doing for it what it did for Pulaski County two years ago - giving the Blue Demons confidence and making them difficult to prepare for. Radford has fielded emerging stars in all-purpose threat Casey Underwood, who does everything from play quarterback to kick field goals, and fleet back Larnelle Lewis.
But neither team, alas, seems to be playing much defense. Blacksburg hasn't exactly been scaring the pads off people defensively, either.
That's another one who can put the points on the board, Blacksburg. Quarterback Greg Shockley can rifle it, receiver Jay Safford and associates can go get it, and Nick Burroughs can run it.
Among these three teams, we could have some of the wildest affairs seen in these defensive-minded parts in years.
As for Carroll County, the Cavaliers are going to do what they always do and that is hope that they can keep things respectable.
We'll know more after Christiansburg and the host Bobcats wrap up running around, over and away from each other this evening.
How's it all going to shake out? Here, we're sticking with what we thought all along, which is that when the dust settles, Blacksburg is going to be the last one left standing.
Speculation No. 3: Plenty of bench-warmers and junior varsity players are going to see a lot of action for Giles this year.
The Spartans will maul some people, it's that simple. Narrows played terrific defense last week, accomplishing the unheard of trick of holding Giles to less than 100 yards rushing. Giles laughed that off and still scored 43 points.
The Spartans, you see, are like a brute who can take his choice of fileting you with a dagger, shooting you with a gun, beating you with a club or simply thrashing you with his bare hands.
Offense sputtering? So what. Giles' attacking defense will force five turnovers, as it did with Narrows. The running game mired in the muck? Raypheal Milton and his flying circus of receivers will rise above it all. Air Spartans grounded? Guys like Milton and Milton - twins Maurice and Raypheal - Peter Janney and company will start a stampede with no livestock in sight.
As for Narrows, believe it or not, it's probably the second-best team in the Mountain Empire District. Only Grayson County, or perhaps Floyd County, which usually plays the Wave tough, has any shot at them.
I don't think so, though. Narrows has quickness and size and a fine all-around player in Whitey Blankenship. The passing game isn't as bad as it looks, quarterback Jeff White's nightmare night in Pearisburg notwithstanding.
More important than any of those assets, though, is that the Green Wave is embarrassed. These fellows are going to take it out on somebody, and they aren't likely to be nice about it.
Ray Cox covers New River Valley sports for the Roanoke Times & World-News
by CNB