Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9409030010
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Northside routed Salem 42-12, handing the Spartans' Willis White one of the worst defeats of his long coaching career.
With a solid nucleus returning from that squad, the Vikings are favored to win the Blue Ridge District title. But as good a coach as Jim Hickam is, his Northside teams often have been knocked out of the race with upset losses early in the season.
That happened last year. First, the Vikings lost 14-13 in their opener at Rockbridge County. That didn't eliminate Northside, but a 22-19 defeat at Alleghany in the fifth game did.
``Offense is our strong point,'' Hickam says of this year's team. ``We have an experienced offensive line, plus the first 1,000-yard rusher [at Northside] since I've been here in Karim [Thompson].''
The defense is another matter. There is little experience on the line or at linebacker. There is a fairly strong secondary, but the Vikings are a reflection of the district in that most Blue Ridge teams aren't blessed with experienced players at a majority of positions.
Two reasons everyone picks Northside to win are huge offensive linemen Roth Townsend (315 pounds) and Jeff Painter (265 pounds). They should pave the way for another big year from Thompson. Mike Dillon takes over from Shane Whisnant at quarterback, and if he's ready, the Vikings' wishbone attack should be super.
Rockbridge County, the 1993 district champion must find some skill players, and this time the Wildcats won't sneak up on anyone in the district.
``It's tougher to be defending champion, because every week you have to play your best,'' says Jamie Talbott, Rockbridge County's coach. ``No one is going to overlook us.''
Salem must regain its reputation as a state power after the debacle against Northside. The Spartans still made the playoffs as a wild-card team last year, marking their eighth consecutive appearance in postseason competition.
``This team has practiced hard and it has a lot of determination. I think it will do well,'' White says. ``It's the least-experienced team we've had in a while, but actually, we're not that inexperienced. A lot of people played part-time last year.''
Seth Moore will be at quarterback. He would have competed for that job a year ago, but he missed practice time because of sickness and never caught up. This year, he beat out incumbent Kevin Feazell, who moves to wide receiver. Mike Murphy will be a quick running back.
Alleghany lost star tight end-defensive end Todd Wheatley. The Mountaineers are big up front, but lack players at skill positions.
Lord Botetourt has only three players who started on either side of the ball a year ago. The Cavaliers' offense will be built around transfer Wesley Cox, who was James River's leading rusher last season.
``If we go 5-5 or equal last year's 6-4 mark, we'll have to improve a lot,'' says Andy Ward, Botetourt's coach. ``Our young kids have to get a lot of experience early.''
The same is true at William Byrd, where quarterback Matt Bryant is the only returning starter for coach Jeff Highfill.
``After we were co-champs in 1987, we had mostly seniors. But we still had three or four starters back the next year,'' Highfill says. ``Obviously, we're behind everyone else. Northside is supposed to be all-universe, Salem is always Salem and Rockbridge County won it [last year]. So where does that leave us?''
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB