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

DATE: THURSDAY, September 1, 1994                   TAG: 9409030005
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LIBERTY COUNTING ON AIR ATTACK

Hicks' Cougars never have had much of a passing attack, so it's no surprise that the Liberty coach loves to run the ball.

This year, though, Scharnus' Minutemen will be looking to throw the ball. He's smart enough to know Liberty's best route to the Group AA Division 4 playoffs is through the air.

``We graduated most of our offensive line. We're thin physically up front, so we'll throw the ball more this years,'' says Scharnus, whose 1993 team just missed a spot in the postseason with a 7-3 record. ``We'll go to a one-back offense. I've never done that before.''

Scharnus is changing his ways because he has strong-armed Mike Padgett returning at quarterback. He also has junior receiver Gregg Reynolds, who was Timesland's Sizzlin' Sophomore of the Year, back to catch passes from Padgett.

As a junior, Padgett threw for 1,007 yards last fall. Reynolds had 34 receptions for 536 yards.

While Liberty tries to figure out a way to continue winning, Staunton River wants to find a way to win under its new coach, Bob Gray. The Golden Eagles went 0-10 a year ago, then turned to Gray, who had been out of full-time coaching for several years.

Gray's first step was deciding to use players on only one side of the ball. Jeff English, at tailback and linebacker, and James Gates, at offensive and defensive tackle, are the only Staunton River players expected to go both ways.

``The more we play kids one way, the better I think we can be,'' Gray says. ``The more kids involved, the more that will get excited. When a kid practices every day and doesn't get a chance, he can get bored real quickly.''

The Eagles have decent size and speed.

``The quarterback is looking good, but he's never taken a snap before in a game. That's kind of nerve-racking for me,'' Gray says. ``I'm excited. Staunton River wants to have a good program and the commitment is there.''