Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9509010003
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-16 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Covington also has been up and down in recent seasons.
But that doesn't mean the district is down. It's just balanced.
Bath County has the horses to win its second consecutive title this year, and Glenvar and James River have enough returning players to make it tough for the Chargers.
Glenvar will build around Eric East, a running back and linebacker who could be one of Timesland's top all-around athletes. East figures to be a key figure in the Highlanders' baseball and basketball seasons.
Last year, East rushed for 1,240 yards, but that wasn't enough to give Glenvar any better than a split of its 10 games.
``I felt like we weren't consistent, especially in our line play,'' said Brian Hooker, the Highlanders' coach. ``Some games we lost that we felt as if we should have won.''
Glenvar has a lot of senior leadership, especially on the defensive side of the ball. It also has the motivation of knowing this is the Highlanders' farewell tour in the Pioneer. Glenvar moves to the Three Rivers District next year.
``I was content where we were at, so we'd like to go out with the Pioneer District title if it's our last year,'' Hooker said.
Glenvar has 6-5 Perry Taylor, a defensive end and wide receiver, out for football for the first time after he helped the basketball team finish second in the Group A tournament last season.
``He's playing a solid defensive end and catching the ball well. He hadn't been out since ninth grade,'' Hooker said. ``I think our kids got him out. Our kids are some of our best recruiters.''
Unfortunately, it hasn't worked that way at tiny Craig County, where coach Greg Stick's roster had only 12 players as recently as 10 days ago.
``I'd say we'll wind up with 15 once school opens,'' Stick said. ``We had a kid get hurt in a scrimmage and another was on vacation. We're doing everything we can not to drop the program, and we've made it [through the season] before with 15 or 16 players.
``It's always been the argument of kids that they won't come out because we never win any games. Last year we won four and they didn't come out.''
The Rockets do have some experience and size, even if they don't have numbers. Jason Blankenship averaged 10.6 yards per kick return and added 52 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games a year ago.
James River has experience, but doesn't have one thing it needs to compete for the title.
``We must develop a winning tradition,'' said coach Doug Ross, noting the Knights have gone 2-8 each of the past two seasons. As a head coach, Ross is 60-60, so he's hoping for a breakthrough this season.
Travis Blankenship passed for 723 yards and Shahan Burrell, Mark Whiting and Brian LeFlore combined to rush for more than 1,500 yards last year. LeFlore, also James River's kick-returner, had 1,118 all-purpose yards.
On defense, Johnny Burrell was an All-Pioneer District performer, with seven of his 68 tackles resulting in a loss of yardage.
Bath County has some size in tackles Dennis Loan (251 pounds) and Ernie Deel (240) to help lead its single-wing attack. Jamie Carroll and Matt Williams should be tough runners. The Chargers are looking to erase the memory of a disappointing playoff loss after going 9-1 during the 1994 regular season.
Covington appears ready to return to the top, but must overcome a tough schedule that includes games against three Group AA teams and perennial power Radford, which dropped to Group A last year.
Mike Barber, an experienced quarterback and defensive back, is the leader of a Cougars team that has a good blend of experience and quality newcomers. Size is not abundant, but Covington should have good quickness.
Parry McCluer faces the season without longtime coach Bob Williams. It's Charlie Wheeler's turn to guide one of Timesland's strongest programs, which ran into all sorts of difficulties a year ago in a 2-8 season.
``We have a good offensive line and running backs,'' Wheeler said, ``but we have an unproven quarterback and inexperience that may cause a depth problem early.''
While Wheeler is in his first year as the Fighting Blues' head coach, he's not exactly a new kid on the block. Twenty years ago, he was head coach at Bath County, guiding the Chargers to a 12-8 record in two seasons.
Here's a closer look at the teams:
BATH COUNTY
1994 record: 9-2 overall, 5-0 Pioneer District.
Coach: Steve Isaacs, sixth year.
Returning starters: Jamie Carroll, Sr., TB, 5-10, 175; Matt Williams, Sr., FB-LB, 6-0, 193; Dennis Loan, Sr., OT-DT, 6-3, 251; Ernie Deel, Sr., OT-DT, 5-10, 240; Cory Wolfe, Sr., SE-DE, 6-2, 215; K.C. Jones, Sr., TE, 6-0, 146; Andy Hansford, Sr., TE, 6-2, 215; Ivan Franklin, Sr., DE, 6-0, 218; Jason Pauley, Sr., LB, 6-1, 197; Jeremy Shifflett, Sr., LB, 5-9, 160.
Other key players: Stewart Alexander, Sr., FB-DB, 5-9, 140; Brandon Woodard, Soph., WB-DB, 5-9, 160; Carl Hicks, Jr., G, 5-9, 208; Jamie Gwin, Sr., FB, 5-10, 191.
Major losses: Billy Thomas, FB-DB; Todd Townsend, G-DT; Chuck Burger, G; Danny Arbogast, OT-NG; Heath Kouns, C; Ricky Ricketts, DB; Bill Liptrap, DB.
Outlook: Bath County is favored to defend its title running the single wing. The Chargers have starters back at 15 of 22 spots on offense and defense.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, Craig County, 7:30 p.m.; 8, Wilson Memorial-Fishersville, 7:30 p.m; 22, at Franklin (W.Va.), 7:30 p.m.; 29, Covington, 7:30 p.m..
Oct.6, at Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.; 13, at Stuarts Draft, 7:30 p.m.; 20, at Riverheads-Staunton, 7:30 p.m.; 27, Buffalo Gap-Swoope, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.3, at Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.; 10, James River, 7:30 p.m.
COVINGTON
1994 record: 5-5, 4-1.
Coach: John Woodzell, 14th year.
Returning starters: Mike Barber, Sr., 5-10, 171, QB-DB; Tom Luckett, Sr., FB-DB, 5-10, 154; Jason Stanier, Sr., OT-DT, 6-1, 228; Chris Clark, Jr., G, 5-10, 166; Joe Yancey, Jr., G, 5-10, 170; ReShawn Jeter, Jr., TE, 6-1, 196; Brian Walton, Sr., OT, 5-10, 193.
Other key players: Mike Lemons, Sr., MLB, 5-11, 166; Jesse Snyder, Sr., DB-WR, 5-9, 140; Tracy Walker, Jr., DB, 6-2, 150; Kevin Pettitt, Sr., C, 6-0, 211; Brad Hicks, Jr., DT, 6-0, 273; William Stewart, Jr., NG-FB, 5-9, 200.
Major losses:Chris Phillips, C-DE-K, 6-1, 222; Robert Jackson, FB-MLB, 5-10, 197.
Outlook: The Cougars have a strong contingent of players from last year's district runner-up team, including Stanier, an All-Group A lineman, and Barber, a do-everything performer.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, Rockbridge County, 7:30 p.m.; 8, Riverheads-Staunton, 7:30 p.m.; 15, Alleghany, 7:30 p.m.; 22, at Radford, 7:30 p.m.; 29, at Bath County, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.13, at Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 20, at Craig County, 7:30 pm.; 27, Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.3, James River, 7:30 p.m.; 10, at Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.
CRAIG COUNTY
1994 record: 4-6, 2-3.
Coach: Greg Stick, fourth year.
Returning starters: Jason Blankenship, Sr., RB-DB-KR, 5-10, 163; Casey Oiler, Sr., OT-LB, 6-1, 213; James Huffman, Sr., C-DT, 6-5, 238; Darrell Fisher, Jr., G-NG, 5-9, 200; Jason Howell, Soph., OT-DT, 6-2, 287.
Other key players: Bruce Duncan, QB-CB; Jarvis Pauley, WB-LB; Steve Hall, WR-CB; Whitney Huffman, WR-LB; Steve Huffman, G-NG; Mike Kendall, RB-DE.
Major losses: Robbie Huffman, QB-DB, 6-2, 166; Chris Blankenship, WR-LB, 6-2, 174; Zachary Peters, RB-DE, 5-8, 155; Justin Brown, RB-LB, 5-8, 160; Josh Evans, G-LB, 5-9, 166; Jason Via, WR-CB, 5-9, 150; Monte Bostic, G-DE, 5-10, 160.
Outlook: The numbers are down and experience is limited, so the Rockets will have a hard time matching last year's record.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, at Bath County, 7:30 p.m.; 8, Auburn, 7:30 pm.; 15, at Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.; 22, Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.6, James River, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Circleville (W.Va.); 7:30 p.m.; 20, Covington, 7:30 p.m.; 27, at Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.3, Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 10, at Bland County 7:30 p.m.
GLENVAR
1994 record: 5-5, 2-3.
Coach: Brian Hooker, seventh year.
Returning starters: Eric East, Sr., RB-OLB, 5-10, 165; Lynwood Twine, Jr., 5-10, 185, LB-FB; Don Elliott, Sr., 5-11, 175, TE-OLB; Aaron Akers, Sr., 6-1, 195, OT-DT; Corey Willis, Sr., QB-DE (moves to DB), 6-1, 190; Dale Bowman, Jr., G, 6-0, 215; Travis Lam, Jr., WR, 6-0, 180; Tony Lewis, Jr., WR (also RB, OLB), 5-8, 160; Hunter Allen, Jr., DB, 5-9, 160; Troy Henderson, Sr., DB, 6-2, 168; Keith Delk, Sr., NG, 6-3, 210; Benji Linkous, Sr., DE-TE (moves to G), 5-11, 162.
Other key players: Shane Triplett, Soph., C-DT, 5-11, 229; Nick Elliott, Soph., G-DT, 5-11, 205; Keith Chumbley, Jr., G, 5-8, 202; Chris Carroll, Soph., RB, 5-8, 140; Roy Crowe, Soph., WR-DB, 5-9, 132; Perry Taylor, Sr., DE-WR, 6-5, 203.
Major losses: Casey Mills, C-DT, 6-0, 236; Jason Darnall, DB-WR, 6-0, 150; Cory Moses, DE, 6-0, 167; Joey Taylor, QB-TE, 6-1, 181; Brian Robinson, G, 5-7, 232; Chip Brown, OT, 5-11, 221.
Outlook: The Highlanders didn't play as well as expected last year, but they should be ready to challenge for the top spot this year. East is one of Timesland's top Group A athletes. Experience should help Glenvar in its final season in the Pioneer District before moving to the Three Rivers.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.8, Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 15, at William Byrd, 7:30 p.m.; 22, at Floyd County, 7:30 p.m.; 29, at James River, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.6, Bath County, 7:30 p.m.; 13, at Christiansburg, 7:30 p.m.; 20, at Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.; 27, Craig County, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.3, Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.; 10, Covington, 7:30 p.m.
JAMES RIVER
1994 record: 2-8, 0-5.
Coach: Doug Ross, 13th year.
Returning starters: Travis Blankenship, Jr., QB, 6-0, 151; Shahan Burrell, Sr., TB-LB, 6-1, 215; Mark Whiting, Sr., FB, 5-11, 170; Brian LeFlore, Jr., WB-KR, 5-7, 130; Johnny Burrell, Sr., OT-DT, 5-7, 265; Chris Theimer, Jr., G, 5-10, 165; Jason Watts, Jr., DT, 5-9, 253; Brian Shorter, Sr., DE, 6-0, 184; Freddie Johnson, Sr., CB, 5-8, 143.
Other key players: Justin Rhodes, Jr., C-DE, 5-10, 193; Billy Joe Carter, Jr., K-FB-LB, 5-10, 205; Jason Peery, Sr., SE-DB, 6-3, 156; Eric Bridgen, Jr., OT-DT, 6-4, 229; Luke Mason, Jr., OT-DT, 6-0, 202; Tim Ostendorf, Jr., TE-DE, 6-2, 183; Anthony Burrell, Fr., G-NG, 5-10, 228; B.J. Warf, Jr., WB-DB, 5-5, 132; Jimmy Thompson, Soph., QB-DB, 5-8, 156; Junior Kitt, Soph., FB-DE, 6-0, 146; Chris Wright, Soph., OT-DT, 5-7, 281.
Major losses: Kevin Peery, C, 5-11, 181; Sonny Tolley, TE-DE, 5-10, 137; Justin Bowyer, DB-WR, 5-7, 132; Randy Brown, WB-DB, 5-9, 151 ; Robert Spangler, G-LB, 5-8, 138; Michael Broughman, OT-DT, 5-10, 167; John Pearson, FB-LB, 6-1, 195.
Outlook: The Knights have about as much experience as any team in Timesland and could be a factor in the Pioneer District battle.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, Floyd County, 7:30 p.m.; 8, Fieldale-Collinsville, 7:30 p.m.; 15, at Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 22, Galax, 7:30 p.m.; 29, Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.6, at Craig County, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.; 27, at Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.3, at Covington, 7:30 p.m.; 10, at Bath County, 7:30 p.m.
PARRY McCLUER
1994 record: 2-8, 2-3.
Coach: Charlie Wheeler, first year.
Returning starters: Elgin Davis, Sr., OT-K, 6-1, 200; Matt Wheeler, Jr., OT, 5-9, 185; Eric Mason, Jr., C-DT (moves to G), 6-2, 215; Jeremy Garrett, Soph., OT-DT, 6-3, 205; Nathan Floyd, Sr., RB-LB, 6-0, 185; D.J. Douglas, Sr., RB, 5-10, 170; Sheldon Douglas, Sr., FB-LB, 6-0, 165; Robert Snider, Jr., DB, 5-7, 130.
Other key players: Timmy Jennings, Jr., WR, 5-11, 165; Mike Clarke, Jr., TE, 6-0, 190; Shawn Sorrells, Sr., TE, 6-2, 170; Jason Snider, Jr., E, 6-1, 160; Shawn Smalls, Jr., C, 5-9, 200; Jason Coleman, Jr., C, 5-9, 172; John Snider, Soph., RB, 5-8, 155; Billy Hartless, Jr., OT-DT, 6-2, 202; Jerry Miller, Sr., DB, 5-7, 141.
Major losses: Ben Brashears, OT-DT, 6-1, 195; Craig Lawhorne, FB-LB, 5-10, 165; Brian Sizemore, QB-DE, 6-4, 185.
Outlook:The biggest change for the Fighting Blues is that Bob Williams, one of the state's most successful and popular coaches, won't be on the sideline. Parry McCluer should be better than last year, when the Fighting Blues suffered through one of the worst years in the school's long and storied football history.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, Radford, 7:30 p.m.; 8, at Alleghany, 7:30 p.m.; 15, at Riverheads-Staunton, 7:30 p.m.; 22, at Craig County, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.6, at Stuarts Draft, 7:30 p.m.; 13, at James River, 7:30 p.m.; 20, Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.; 27, at Covington, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.3, Bath County, 7:30 p.m.; 10, Rockbridge County, 7:30 p.m.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1, Bath County; 2, Glenvar; 3, Covington; 4, James River; 5, Parry McCluer; 6, Craig County.
by CNB