Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 18, 1993                   TAG: 9311180065
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: S-13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By BRIAN DeVIDO STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HE SCORES, HE TACKLES, HE DOES IT ALL FOR RAIDERS

After he's done shredding defenses like a grate slides through a block of cheese, many coaches probably wonder the same thing:

How does he do it?

Even Marcus Cardwell, the culprit of 150 yards rushing a game this year and 27 touchdowns, sometimes is puzzled about how he finds the end zone so often.

"After a game, I don't really think about how many touchdowns I've scored," said the 6-foot 175 pound senior running back and safety. "But when I look at it [the game] afterwards, I wonder how I did it."

North Cross head coach Jim Muscaro said he felt the same way.

"I don't really know," he said, "but we've probably been under 30 points only twice this year."

Could you say Cardwell has a nose for the end zone?

"Yeah," Muscaro said. "I think you could say that."

Not only has Cardwell helped lead the Raiders (10-0 overall this year and Virginia Independent Conference regular-season champions) to the State Independent Schools Division 1 title game again this year, but he also helped lead North Cross to the state title in basketball last year as the starting point guard.

William and Mary, Bucknell and Lehigh are some of the schools that have expressed interest in Cardwell, who has a 3.3 grade-point average and hopes to study engineering or physical therapy in college.

The question becomes which sport will Cardwell play in college?

"I think it would be kind of hard to do both and keep my grades up," he said, "but I'd like to try and see if it worked."

So enter Marcus Cardwell, perhaps the next Charlie Ward, the Florida State quarterback and Heisman trophy favorite who also starts at point guard for the school's basketball team.

Cardwell laughs at the comparison.

"I don't know if I'm good enough to be put in the same category with Charlie Ward," he said.

But the two have some important things in common: winning and leadership.

Take North Cross' wild 48-42 three overtime victory against previously unbeaten Bath County this year. Cardwell played every down on offense and on defense. He finished the night with 216 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 37 carries.

The team was a bit winded when Muscaro walked out on the field during a timeout in the second overtime.

"Everybody was dead tired," Muscaro said. "I walked over to the guys [on the field]. One of our kids says, `Coach, let's just flip a coin,' [to determine the game's winner]. Marcus looked at him and said, `No way, man. We're in this till the end.' I was looking to say something to the team myself. Enough said."

Replied Cardwell: "A lot of people don't think our team is that good since we're a private school. We had a chance to play an undefeated public school. I just decided that after coming that far, we were going to win."

A quiet leader, Cardwell has gained 1,343 yards on 155 carries during the regular season. Muscaro said Cardwell takes advantage of his blockers while running to daylight.

Cardwell will run, then stop and fake defenders into whatever position he wants. If Cardwell is going to run a sweep or pitch, he'll act like he's running inside, using head and shoulder movement to confuse defenders.

In boxing, the fake moves are called "feinting." In football, Cardwell does the feint, but his knockout blow is different: He'll put six points on the scoreboard.

"I try to never let anybody get a square hit on me," Cardwell said. "I move a lot, and make a lot of cuts."

But Cardwell also is talented on defense. It's a good bet he will play defensive back - most likely strong safety or cornerback - in college. Muscaro said Cardwell's 4.5 second speed in the 40-yard dash helps him as a defender, and so does good tackling.

"He's an outstanding tackler," Muscaro said. "He plays defensive back, and he's two tackles away from being the leading tackler on our team. He has great concentration."

And as for this Saturday's title game against Huguenot Academy, Cardwell said the team was focused.

"I think everybody realizes how important this game is," he said. "Everybody's keeping a level head."

And if Cardwell should post his usual damage in the title game - more than 100 yards rushing and at least three touchdowns - the other coaches' heads definitely won't be level.

In fact, they probably will be shaking in disbelief, wondering: "How did he do that?"