Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508310020
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 14 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NARROWS LENGTH: Long
Maybe this year we'll get an idea of what that long Narrows High football tradition is actually worth.
This is the year, because the team is short on experienced players but not necessarily on talent. Points such as this allow intangibles such as tradition to push a team over the top.
Narrows isn't exactly starting over, but things will be different after most of the key players that helped the Green Wave make it to the Group A Division 1 semifinals last year graduated.
Thus, matters were a little up in the air during preseason practices.
``I've got two players who we're going to give both a lineman's and a back's jersey numbers,'' Narrows coach Don Lowe said. ``What does that tell you?''
It tells us that Narrows is going to be versatile in spots, but that isn't really what Lowe means.
What he is trying to say is that he has more questions than answers.
The biggest question right now is one he wasn't planning on: what to do about a quarterback.
It had been assumed that the incumbent from last year, Brian Pruett, was going to be the man. Pruett, the best quarterback Narrows had had in a number of years, did many things well. But he decided this summer to bag his senior season and concentrate on basketball, in which he is a Division 1 prospect.
That leaves Pruett's projected understudy, 5-foot-8, 130-pound sophomore Jeff Bowers, as the starter.
``He's a good athlete, but bless his heart, it's going to be tough to come out as a sophomore against James Monroe [W.Va.] in front of 5,000 people in your first start,'' Lowe said. ``We're going to keep it simple. We can't load him down with a bunch of new things. That isn't fair to him.''
Sharing some of the backfield pressure will be senior Keith Morris, probably the team's best athlete. Morris gained more than 1,000 all-purpose yards and scored 10 touchdowns last year as a split end and kick returner.
``Right now, I don't think it's any secret that he's our best all-around football player,'' Lowe said.
Another veteran, Justin Rhodes, will be moving in at fullback. Rhodes has not played there before, although he was a success as a defensive back, where he was chosen to the All Mountain Empire District team last season.
On the offensive line, there are lots of candidates for all the positions - Chris Martin and Brian French at center; Jesse Pollard, Sammy Akers, David Conley, Jason Sexton and Billy Lucas at tackles; Brandon Williams, Heath Fleeman, Brian Blankenship and Anthony Shrewsberry at guards.
Fleeman could end up being a running back and Blankenship a tight end.
``I just don't know,'' Lowe said.
Wide receiver and wingback are similarly unsettled with David Turner, Dalton Smith, Jason Spangler, Ashley Bragg, Jason McCroskey and freshman Jerry Shrader all in the mix. Tight end is one position that is manned by a returning starter, Robbie Stafford.
Stafford could play defensive end, too.
The defense will build around the linebackers once Lowe and his staff figure out who is going to be plugged in there. Morris, Rhodes and Fleeman are the front-runners, but Morris could just as easily land at safety, Rhodes at cornerback and Fleeman at defensive tackle.
NARROWS
1994 record: 9-4, 4-1 in Mountain Empire District
Coach: Don Lowe, fourth year
Returning starters: Robbie Stafford, 6-1, 170, te, de, sr.; Keith Morris, 5-10, 170, tb, lb, sr.; Justin Rhodes, 5-10, 170, fb, lb, sr.
Other key players: Brian Blankenship, 5-11, 170, te, ot, g, sr.; Heath Fleeman, 5-10, 165, g, rb, lb, jr.; David Turner, 5-11, 150, wb, cb, jr.; Dalton Smith, 5-9, 140, wr, s, jr.; Jason Spangler, 5-8, 150, se, cb, sr.; Chris Martin, 6-0, 220, c dt jr.; Jesse Pollard, 6-1, 210, ot, dt, sr.; Jason McCroskey, 5-11, 155, wb, db, jr.; Jeff Bowers, 5-8, 130, qb, soph.; Sammy Akers, 6-0, 210, ot, jr.; Billy Lucas, 6-2, 185, ot, jr.; Brian French, 6-0, 150, c, soph.; Brandon Williams, 5-8, 180, g, sr.; Anthony Shrewsberry, 6-0, 165, g, soph.; David Conley, 5-8, 210, ot, sr.; Jason Sexton, 5-8, 185, ot, sr.; Ashley Bragg, 5-8, 150, wr, sr.; Jerry Shrader, 6-0, 150, wr, fresh.
Outlook: The Green Wave will have to be completely overhauled, so if the other teams in the Mountain Empire District want to make a move at Narrows' expense, now is the time to do it. It probably won't take long for Narrows to firm into a good team, though - just in time to start the stretch run for the playoffs. Look for a lot of players to shuffle in and out of the lineup all year. Lowe likes to keep everybody involved as much as possible.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 1, James Monroe (W.Va.); 8, at Goshen; 15, at Giles; 22, open; 29 , at Grayson County
Oct. 6, Shawsville; 13, Bland County; 20, Auburn; 27, at Floyd County
Nov. 3, at Galax; 10, Fort Chiswell
by CNB