Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 6, 1994 TAG: 9412010016
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
So it's no surprise that Patrick Henry lineman Chris Combs and linebacker-Z back Monty Smith have turned out to be two of the top reasons for the Patriots' 3-1 start this year.
Combs is one of the state's top college prospects. As a tight end and defensive end, Virginia, Duke and Wake Forest have already offered him scholarships.
Smith, a transfer from North Cross, received more attention when he was with the Raiders. Still, he figures to wind up earning a scholarship somewhere if this year is any indication of his ability.
``When Chris first came to us, he was probably, at the outside, a Division III prospect,'' said PH trainer Tim Bane. ``Since coming to us, he's been the hardest working individual since I've been here as far as getting in the weight room on his own.''
Bane coached Smith when he was at Patrick Henry before the PH senior switched to North Cross. While with the Raiders, Smith was both the leading scorer in Timesland boys' basketball as a junior and was one of the key players in leading the Raiders to the Division 1 private schools' state championship in football a year ago.
``[Smith] played ninth-grade football and you could see he had a lot of potential,'' Bane said. ``I was pleasantly surprised to see how he came [back to us] in the kind of shape he's in. He does things that you need to do to be in good shape.
``He also came back and fit in. He could have come in as a big man and some resentment could have developed. But I've noticed none of that. He's blended in with the kids.''
Besides his defense, Smith handles the Patriots' place-kicking and punting chores. Combs handles the kickoffs, so there are not many times these two aren't on the field. However, it did happen in PH's 20-14 victory over Halifax County when Smith sprained his ankle. He was ready to go late in the third quarter, came on to catch a short pass and rambled for 33 yards as the Patriots started to rally from a 14-12 deficit.
Smith said he transfered back to PH to play against better competition, although last Friday he was back at North Cross watching his former teammates beat Hargrave Military 21-20. Smith went to North Cross when Raider quarterback Hal Johnson talked him into switching one spring when they played AAU basketball together.
``[In this league] the players hit harder and you have to be able to move about the field. You have to be ready all the time,'' Smith said.
Smith had to give up being the offensive star he was at North Cross. As a Z-back, his main duty is to block and catch some passes.
``I like defense better anyway,'' he explained. ``So switching [to mainly] defense didn't bother me.''
Smith said he worked harder during the off-season. He knew last spring he would either transfer to a private school or PH.
PH coach Ed Scott isn't surprised at Smith's success. ``I am surprised the colleges haven't asked me about him, but Montrice [as Scott calls him] is doing a good job. He has a lot of athletic ability. We're trying to teach him to play every down.''
As for basketball, it seems unlikely that as a 6-foot forward he would be able to score more than 24 points a game in the Group AAA Roanoke Valley District as he did last year for North Cross.
``I guess we'll find out,'' he said with a slight chuckle.
The 6-6 Combs is a different kind of story. If one would have guessed Combs would be a college prospect, it would have been in basketball. His father, Glen Combs, was one of the great players in Virginia Tech history and spent time in the American Basketball Association.
Combs plays basketball for PH and is a double-figure scorer. He is not projected as a Division I player and this doesn't bother the elder Combs.
``I told Chris if he had an opportunity to play Division I basketball somewhere close, he ought to consider that versus football. As it has turned out, he's gotten so much interest in football. I'm 99 percent sure that's where he'll end up playing,'' said Glen Combs.
Tech has contacted the younger Combs but hasn't made an offer. Scott says Tech's number of scholarships available isn't as great as other school's and that the Hokies might not have a need for linemen.
``My feeling is your child needs to go where the best opportunity is, not your old school,'' said Glen Combs.
Chris Combs said his father has always stressed that he play at the highest level possible for him at either sport. ``Maybe deep down he wants [me to get] a Division I basketball scholarship, but right now he makes it clear that he's excited about me playing Division I football.
``I'll probably wind up playing football. That's what I'm better at at this point.''
Combs has been a worker in the weight room since he was in ninth grade. An injury put him out of football as a sophomore, so that's why his stock as a prospect has risen so quickly.
Even though Combs didn't play two years ago, Scott pointed him out to college coaches because of his work ethic.
``Anyone who is that tall, has good grades and works hard, they'll keep an eye on him. The big things are grades and height. They need those in college.''
``Coach Scott and I talked this spring. He thought I might have an opportunity to play somewhere if I had a good year,'' said Combs. ``I'll do whatever it takes to play Division I football.''
by CNB