Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9509010002
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-16 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Just ask John Cooke, the Roanoke Catholic coach.
A year after his Celtics roared past all 12 opponents on their way to the Virginia Independent Schools Division II title, Cooke is rebuilding. Catholic lost all but three starters from that team to graduation and nearly lost some more players to vacation.
``We scrimmaged one night, and the next day a kid and his parents were going to the beach on vacation,'' Cooke said. ``One family had a time-share and didn't want to leave their kid at home. Then, they finally let him stay.''
While working the Celtics' preseason drills around vacations, Cooke had to prepare for Timesland's earliest game - an Aug.25 matchup with Kenston Forest. The Celtics opened with a 13-0 victory in a game that was tougher than the score might indicate.
``Last year we were never behind, not even in a scrimmage. Everything was on a high week after week,'' Cooke said. ``If we were to lose a game or a scrimmage, it would be a major blow. The question is: How will we react if that happens?''
Catholic will try to keep winning behind its three returning starters: running back P.J. Moyer, who was the Timesland Sizzlin' Sophomore offensive player of the year in 1994; standout two-way lineman Rod Tasco; and center Marshall Glass. Junior running back-defensive back Alex Dickson has great speed, and Jay Clements will provide some help for Tasco on the line.
At North Cross, the Raiders hope to make it 23 consecutive seasons without a losing record under coach Jim Muscaro. During that span, their worst record was 4-4 in 1991. Since 1972, Muscaro's teams have won 172 games.
It won't be easy to continue the tradition, but a positive attitude will help.
``I'm real pleased with our work ethic and the condition of the players returning from summer vacation,'' Muscaro said. ``Obviously, they'd been doing some work in the off-season.''
Still, North Cross may find it difficult to match last season's 5-4 mark. The Raiders will count on the experience of Bradley Densmore and Tripp Bell at running back and Jon Mull on the line.
Here is a closer look at the teams:
NORTH CROSS
1994 record: 5-4 overall. 3-2 Virginia Independent Conference.
Coach: Jim Muscaro, 25th year.
Returning starters: Bradley Densmore, Sr., RB-DB, 6-2, 190; Tripp Bell, Sr., RB-CB, 5-8, 170; Jon Mull, Sr., G-DE, 6-3, 200; Philip Noland, Soph., K, 5-11, 157; Bill Pattisall, Jr., LB, 5-10, 166; Hunter Smith, Jr., DT (also OT), 6-0, 224.
Other key players: Grayson Hooper, Sr., OT-DT, 6-2, 237; James Kelly, Sr., OT-DT, 6-2, 210; Andy Harrison, Sr., G, 5-6, 175; Carter Lee, Jr., RB-DB, 5-11, 160; Ben Moore, Soph., C, 5-11, 191; Mike Dyer, Sr., G-DL, 6-2, 174; Mason Brown, Jr., DB-TE, 6-0, 164; Steven Nicholas, Jr., QB-LB, 5-9, 150; Joe Thielezke, Fr., QB, 5-9, 143.
Major losses: Hal Johnson, QB, 6-6, 190; Skip Johnson, RB, 5-9, 171; Robert Rude, TE, 5-8, 161; Carter Smith, C, 5-8, 185; John Goodwin, G, 5-11, 230; Alex Kelly, LB, 6-2, 185; Clint Bundy, G, 5-10, 170; Pira Kanithanon, RB, 6-0, 180.
Outlook: The Raiders might not be flashy, but they'll be solid and competitive. With the graduation of quarterback Hal Johnson, it's likely North Cross will switch from a passing attack to a running game to help continue Timesland's longest winning tradition.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.8, Brunswick Academy, 4 p.m. 15, St.Anne's-Belfield, 4 p.m.; 23, at Virginia Episcopal, 2 p.m.; 29, at Hargrave Military, 4 p.m.
Oct.6, at Fuqua, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Fishburne Military, 4 p.m.; 21, Lynchburg Christian, 3 p.m.; 28, at Randolph-Macon, 1 p.m.
Nov.3, Roanoke Catholic, 3 p.m.
ROANOKE CATHOLIC
1994 record: 12-0, 5-0 (State Independent Schools Division II champion).
Coach: John Cooke, fourth year.
Returning starters: P.J. Moyer, Jr., RB-DB, 5-10, 185; Marshall Glass, Sr., C, 5-10, 180; Rod Tasco, Sr., G-DT, 6-2, 226.
Other key players: Mark Buchy, Jr., WR-HB (may move to QB), 5-10, 155; Jay Clements, Sr., OT-DE, 6-3, 238; Terron Reed, Soph., TE-LB, 6-3, 195; Matthew Peck, Soph., G-DT, 5-7, 200; Chase Potter, Jr., OT-TE-DE, 6-3, 190; Aki Al-Zubaidi, Jr., QB-DB, 6-1, 155; Chris Coulter, Jr., FB-LB 5-10, 175; Alex Dickson, Jr., RB-DB, 5-10, 160; Brian Slenski, Soph., DE, 5-11, 155; Jon Reynolds, Soph., WR., 6-3, 165; Glenn Radcliffe, Jr.,RB-DB, 6-0, 155; Kyle Vorst, Jr., WR-DB, 6-0, 150.
Major losses: Tony Joyce, QB-DB-KR, 5-10, 145; Phillip Buchy, DT-OT, 6-4, 220; P.L. Bratton, TE-DE, 6-2, 155; Chuck Gilliland, G-DE-K, 5-8, 165; Bill Massello, DE, 5-7, 165; Chris Roberts, FB-LB, 5-11, 225; Jon Zax, OT-DT, 6-2, 250; Beau King, FB-NG, 5-9, 196; Amaury Medeiros, K, 5-11, 140; Ryan McFadden, KO, 5-8, 145; Cameron Blount, FB-DB, 5-10, 160; Demond Lark, WR-DB (transfer to William Fleming), 5-9, 145; Kendall Selfe, RB-LB, 5-11, 155; Travis Shepard, OT-DT, 5-10, 185.
Outlook: The Celtics won't be nearly as strong as they were last fall, but they'll still be a force, thanks to running back P.J. Moyer and lineman Rod Tasco. Those two will help keep things on a steady course until the newcomers get some experience on a team with only three returning starters.
|SCHEDULE| Aug.26, def. Kenston Forest 13-0.
Sept.1, at Brunswick Academy, 7:30 p.m.; 9, Shawsville (Victory Stadium), 2 p.m.; 16, Massanutten (Victory Stadium), 2 p.m.; 29, at Fishburne Military, 3 p.m.
Oct.7, Blue Ridge (Victory Stadium), 2 p.m.; 13, at Lynchburg Christian, 7:30 p.m.; 21, at Randolph-Macon, 3 p.m; 28, Hargrave Military (Victory Stadium), 2 p.m.
Nov.3, at North Cross, 3 p.m.
by CNB