Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508310009
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 28 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Long
After consecutive 7-3 seasons, the Buffaloes plummeted to a disappointing 3-7 last year. Floyd would like to reverse that mark.
"Last year was disappointing to everybody - the players, the coaches and the community," Floyd County coach Winfred Beale said. "We were 3-7 and we could have easily been 7-3."
The return to respectability will not be an easy one for the Buffaloes, who will have to fill gaping holes at the skill positions. On offense, Floyd lost Jamie Warren and Peter Bucklin, who combined to rush for 1,440 yards last season, and quarterback Dwayne Hale.
Replacing the trio will be nearly impossible; the returnees have no significant experience in the backfield at the varsity level. Craig Reed, who is the team's leading returning rusher (117 yards ) and receiver (121 yards), will occupy the quarterback slot after spending last season as a split end. Reed has fully recovered from a broken femur suffered in last season's final game.
After running out of the I-formation for years, Beale is going to throw a different wrinkle at opponents this season. Look for the Buffaloes to run the option periodically. This will allow Floyd County to spread the ball around and keep the burden of replacing Warren from falling on any one person.
"It will give us a little different look," Beale said. "We will be able to get the ball in a lot of people's hands. We won't have anybody rush for 1,000 yards."
At the tailback slot, look for Jason Slaughter, Matt Bishop and Nick Wohn to split time. Wohn, a sophomore, is the fastest of the bunch and has the potential to develop into a big-play threat. Chris Nichols and Dale Phillips will share responsibilities at fullback. Shannon Salyer will provide depth.
When Floyd does opt to throw the ball, Reed will have large targets. Tommy Erchull, who stands 6 feet 4, will play one split end and Jerry Hollandsworth will occupy the other. Brian Swortzel, also 6-4, will play tight end, where he will replace Robert Favre. Favre would have been the team's top returning receiver this year, but he has opted to concentrate on baseball.
On the offensive line, the Buffaloes return only two full-time starters from last season: seniors Shannon Angle and Ben Forehand. Much will be expected of those two. Jason Conner, who started four games at the end of last season, Ben Seales and Jesse Slusher will have to develop as blockers if the Buffaloes are going to be effective offensively.
"It is going to take awhile," Beale said of his team's development. "We need to gain confidence and continuity as a unit. The only way that will happen is to play a lot. Some of our teams in the past have peaked early and struggled late in the year. This season I think it will the other way around."
While the Buffaloes are waiting for the offense to come together, the defense, and its six returning starters will have to carry the load. Floyd will try out a new defensive scheme as well this season. After playing the 5-3 in the past, Floyd will switch to the 4-0.
The strength of Beale's defense is up the middle. The Buffaloes will be counting on a big year from nose guard Chris Peters and Angle, who will play middle linebacker.
"We will be an attacking, penetrating type of defense that will use a lot of different schemes," said Beale, who is in his 15th season. "We will need to control the middle and force the action outside. Both of those kids [Peters and Angle] could be dominant."
If the action is forced outside, Bishop or Phillip Gillespie will be waiting at their outside linebacker positions. Paul Phillips, a talented but raw sophomore, also will see action. Joining Peters on the defensive line will be Phillips and Slusher, who will anchor the tackle positions, and defensive ends Mattie McBroom and Nichols.
In the secondary, Slaughter, who started at cornerback last year, will play safety. Wohn will play one cornerback position, with P.J. Hamms and Erchull competing for the other slot.
Floyd County has only seven seniors.
"The kids have had a great attitude, and they feel like they have something to prove," Beale said.
Floyd County
1994 record: 2-2 (Three Rivers District), 3-7
Coach: Winfred Beale, 15th year
Returning starters: Shannon Angle, 5-10, 230, og, sr.; Ben Forehand, sr., 5-11, 178; Craig Reed, sr., fl, 5-11, 158; Chris Nichols, jr., de, 5-7, 176; Jesse Slusher, sr., de, 6-4, 207; Chris Peters, jr., fl, 5-11, 224; Dale Phillips, jr., dt, 5-8, 167; Jason Slaughter, sr., db, 5-8, 174.
Other key players: Jason Conner, jr., c, 6-1, 240; Jerry Hollandsworth, sr., se, 5-11, 148; Matt Bishop, jr., rb, 5-11, 151; Phillip Gillespie, jr. olb, 5-8, 153; Ben Seales, jr., og, 6-0 187.
Outlook: It will take the Buffaloes time to jell and unfortunately two of their first three games are against district opponents. Expect no better than a third-place finish.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 1 at James River; 8, Giles; 15 at Auburn; 22, Glenvar; 29, Shawsville
Oct. 13, Fort Chiswell; 20 at Galax; 27, Narrows
Nov. 3 at Radford; 10 at Grayson County.
by CNB