Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 20, 1994 TAG: 9412210022
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
He pulled out a a high-caliber weapon, tailback Daniel ``Machine'' Gunn.
Gunn, a transfer student from Meadowbrook High School in Richmond, moved to Roanoke to live with his father at the start of the school year. Fleming's football practices had started several weeks earlier.
``I love football,'' the senior said. ``I went up to coach [Stuart] and asked him if it was too late to go out for football.
``He said `come on out and give it a try.' Ever since, it's been like clockwork.''
``I'd never seen him or heard of him,'' Stuart said. ``But Gunn's a fast learner, and he runs real quick. Plus he does a lot of things on the field you can't teach a kid.''
It's already been a long season for the Colonels (1-5). They lost their first five games before knocking off Albemarle on Oct.7, 14-3. Last Friday was an open date.
``We've played some outstanding teams,'' Stuart said, including E.C. Glass, Heritage and GW-Danville. Stuart doesn't fault his team's execution; he feels most of the opposition simply has been superior.
``They've just beat us,'' he said.
Gunn emerged in the Glass loss, however, and Fleming's outlook seems brighter. Filling in for Phillip Barrett, who had injured a knee, Gunn responded, gaining 114 yards on the ground.
In the Albemarle game, Fleming's Rafig Mahied injured an ankle less than two minutes into the game. Again, Gunn answered the call, rushing 29 times for a season-high 205 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown.
``Gunn's a jitterbugger,'' Stuart said, describing the 5-9, 174-pounder's running style. Detroit Lions star and former Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders is Gunn's idol.
With Barrett and Majied both out, Fleming will rely on Gunn on virtually every running play. Neither Gunn nor Stuart is overly concerned that the opposition will know that beforehand.
``I'm always looking for a hole,'' Gunn said. ``My attitude is that nobody can take me down. That keeps me going.''
Only playing in half of his team's games, and making just one start, Gunn is already appearing among Timesland's statistical leaders. Gunn is averaging 123 rushing yards per game, and 5.4 yards per carry.
The brutal 1994 schedule continues this week for the Colonels. Fleming plays 5-1 Pulaski County, the top-rated team in Timesland prior to last week's close win over Salem.
RVD foes Cave Spring (5-1), Patrick Henry (4-2) and Franklin County (2-5) also loom ahead for the Colonels.
``Everybody seems to having a great season,'' said Stuart, who coached a state championship squad at South Hill in the 1960s, and posted a 9-1 regular season record at Fleming in 1987.
Although the Colonels are off to an uncharacteristically poor start, Gunn and the Colonels are not intimidated. ``I've heard Pulaski is big,'' Gunn said. ``But we're big, too. As long as our guys block...I've just got to suck it up and keep on going.''
Gunn gained more than 600 yards last season as a starter at Meadowbrook, but suffered an ankle injury during the season. ``I wasn't 100 percent,'' Gunn said.
The opportunity to move to Roanoke and play for Fleming was attractive, Gunn said. ``I'm looking for the opportunity to get a scholarship.''
Gunn also recognized the academic advantages of Fleming, citing its Magnet School program as another benefit. ``I'm making good grades,'' Gunn said. ``I especially like English.''
Learning Fleming's football plays has come easily for Gunn as well. ``Phillip Barrett let me hold his playbook,'' Gunn said. ``That's made it easy to learn. I've caught on quick.''
by CNB