Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 19, 1994 TAG: 9411210031
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Celtics hadn't won a game in two years, so it wasn't a matter of thinking in terms of a state championship. It was a battle just to win a game.
Two years and three months later, the Celtics have a chance to win a Virginia Independent Schools Division I state title this afternoon when they play host to Broadwater Academy at Victory Stadium at 2 p.m.
Whereas victories were hard to come by when Cooke arrived, now losses are hard to find in the Celtics' program. Unbeaten Roanoke Catholic has won 11 and hasn't been pushed in any of the contests.
``No way did I see us getting this far, this fast,'' Cooke said. ``That first day on this little [practice] field, I was wondering if we would have enough to have a team.''
Cooke is still wondering about that. The Celtics have gone through the year with about 20 players and a minimum of injuries. Starting fullback and linebacker Chris Roberts went down in a preseason scrimmage with an injury and he appeared to be out for the season. He returned three weeks ago. While he was gone, Beau King did such a good job at fullback that Roberts has played only on defense since returning.
The past two weeks, against strong passing attacks, defensive back Cameron Blount has been out. Yet the Celtics survived thanks to veteran Tony Joyce and Mark Buchy and Ryan McFadden, who had little experience until this year. Blount will play today.
``No matter what, somebody has always picked it up,'' Cooke said.
After today, Cooke faces rebuilding next season.
``We have a total of 12 players [dressed for today's game] returning next year,'' he said. ``We have no eighth grade or junior varsity. It makes you think. We have to start all over every year. I've talked with players and with parents to get people interested in playing. We've had a lot of people talk about coming out, but you never know until they come out next year.''
One of Catholic's best underclassmen is sophomore P.J. Moyer, who has rushed for more than 1,600 yards in 11 games.
A FIRST: If Catholic wins today, Cooke will become the first coach in Virginia to win both a public and private school state championship. His 1988 team at Jonesville went 5-5 during the regular season and then surprised everyone by winning the Division 1 crown.
RETURNING KEYDET: Broadwater coach Bill Bynum, who has been at his post for 28 years, returns to Victory Stadium for the first time since the early 1960s when he played one year on the Rat [first-year] team and another season on the varsity at VMI.
``I can't remember a whole lot about Victory Stadium,'' said Bynum, who recalls playing twice against Virginia Tech in the series known as the Military Classic of the South, when the schools played one another at Victory Stadium.
``It's been 30 years and I don't remember who won the game. My legs were torn up and I had to give up football,'' said Bynum, who played on the 1963 VMI squad that lost 35-20 to the Gobblers.
LONG TRIP: Broadwater has nearly an eight-hour trip from the Eastern Shore to Roanoke for today's game and there was more bad news when Cooke was unable to secure hotel rooms for the visitors because of the Virginia Tech-Virginia football game and a big soccer tournament.
Broadwater is staying in Lynchburg and will come to Victory Stadium today. The team has also battled Hurricane Gordon's rain in preparing for today's contest.
TWO OTHER GAMES: There will be two other football games involving Timesland teams this afternoon to complete the first week of the Virginia High School League playoffs.
Bassett plays at Dan River at 2 p.m. in a Region III Division 3 game in a rematch of last week's regular season finale between the two Piedmont District rivals. Dan River won that game 40-14, breaking it open in the fourth quarter.
Bland County is in its first playoff game ever as it plays host to Northwood in a Region C Division 1 contest at 4:30 p.m. Bland County tied for the Mountain Empire District title, but was accorded the No. 1 ranking out of the district according to the VHSL point system and will not leave home during the Region C tournament as long as it wins.
by CNB