Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9509010020
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
It appeared a football schedule that included Group AAA teams Patrick Henry, Pulaski County and Cave Spring, as well as an opener against Group AA powerhouse R.E. Lee-Staunton, was too much for the Spartans as they lost their first three games.
It didn't turn out that way.
The Spartans won seven of their last nine games and took the Blue Ridge District title. Along the way, they played a great game against Pulaski County before losing 21-18.
Salem faces the same schedule this year, but the Spartans are better-prepared to handle the role of favorites in a district they have dominated.
``In 1993, we had a big senior senior class. You tend to follow that up with a small senior class,'' said Willis White, Salem's coach.
``Last fall was more a coaching problem than a player problem. We were caught short in experience and we had trouble finding out what position everyone could play.''
Salem also had injuries early in the season, but by the time the Spartans traveled to Northside to decide the district title in the regular-season finale, they were ready. The result was a 27-6 victory for Salem.
White says he hopes Patrick Henry, which made the Group AAA playoffs and beat Woodbridge, and R.E. Lee aren't as formidable as they were a year ago. But if PH isn't quite as strong, Cave Spring likely will be.
``We probably don't need to play more than two Group AAA teams,'' White said.
Seth Moore returns at quarterback and is one of the Spartans' stars, along with defensive end and fullback Chris Huff.
``We're more of a blue collar-type team that beats on you,'' White said. ``We're strong physically, but we're not really fast, [although] we do have good quickness.''
Northside and Rockbridge County appear to have the best chances of overhauling the Spartans.
The Vikings will pin their hopes on a defense that features seven returning starters, including back John Doss, who was the Sizzlin' Soph defensive player of the year in Timesland.
The kicking game is solid. Brad Harper likely will be the punter, even though his two predecessors, Scott Booth (1994) and Mike Dillon ('93, hurt in '94), are back.
``Both Dillon and Booth averaged about 35 yards,'' said Jim Hickam, Northside's coach. ``Bradley [Harper] is doing a little better than that because he might have a fresher leg.''
The Vikings must replace Karim Thompson and Darius Henderson, who combined for more than 2,000 yards rushing. Kirk Likens, Doss and Donnie Leininger will run out of the wishbone, but they'll miss massive Jeff Painter and Roth Townsend, who opened the holes for Thompson and Henderson.
``I don't care how good a runner is, he has to have help and that's where we have to make major strides,'' Hickam said.
Jamie Talbott says his Rockbridge County team is more mature than last year. The Wildcats' coach will get some help from sophomore tackle Jason Wiser, a transfer from Kansas. Greg Stubblefield, who plays quarterback, defensive back and does all the kicking hardly will leave the field.
Lord Botetourt has Timesland's top returning runner in Wesley Cox (1,488 yards) and the Cavaliers' top receiver back in Jeremy Conner, a Sizzlin' Sophomore who had 23 catches for 314 yards.
``If we can develop an offensive line, we feel like we're going to be OK,'' said Andy Ward, Lord Botetourt's coach. ``We played a lot of young kids last year. There were sophomores all over the place and we were in some close games. We felt we should have finished 5-5'' instead of 3-7.
Alleghany hopes speedy defensive back and wide receiver Oliver Jordan and linebacker-fullback Kevin Cook can lead the Mountaineers back into contention.
``I've seen films of last year, and it looks like the kids who were here last season are better players than they were then,'' said Max Lowe, Alleghany's new coach.
A year ago, no one expected William Byrd to win a game and the Terriers went 4-6. So it was no surprise when coach Jeff Highfill said, ``We're way ahead of last year, but we'll still be the smallest team in the district. We're a lot stronger. We had a real good weight-room'' program during the off-season.
The Terriers hope Frank English can run the club at quarterback. They won't have to worry about the kicking game, where All-Timesland punter Michael Berry returns to handle all the chores.
Here is a closer look at the teams:
ALLEGHANY
1994 record: 4-6 overall, 2-3 district.
Coach: Max Lowe, first year.
Returning starters: Brandon Campbell, Sr., OT, 6-4, 270; Oliver Jordan, Sr., WR-DB, 5-9, 174; Kevin Cook, Sr., LB-FB, 5-11, 210; Heath Branch, Jr., ILB, 5-10, 185; Bill Siple, Sr., TE, 5-9, 155; Donald Downing, Soph., RB (also DB), 5-9, 155; Bernie Cooper, Soph., OLB, 5-8, 180; Chris Morris, Sr., DE, 6-1, 190.
Other key player: John Peery, Sr., TE-DE, 6-1, 185.
Major losses: Chris Craft, G, 5-11, 267; Shawn O'Conner, G, 6-0, 345; Bobby Nicely, OT-LB, 6-2, 232; Greg Washington, OT-DT, 6-1, 258; Karlos Simpson, TE, 6-1, 204; Matt Bowser, DE, 6-0, 210; Larry Newcomb, DE, 6-0, 210; Chad Entsminger, NG, 5-10, 218.
Outlook: Alleghany must find some linemen if it hopes to compete for the top rung in the district. Lowe comes to Alleghany from Bridgewater College, where he was head coach. He also has worked at Brookville as an assistant to former Alleghany coach Kenny Higgins.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, at Spotswood, 7:30 p.m.; 8, Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.; 15, at Covington, 7:30 p.m.; 22, Blacksburg, 7:30 p.m.; 29, Salem, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.6, at William Byrd, 7:30 p.m.; 13, at Greenbrier East (W.Va.), 7:30 p.m.; 20, Rockbridge County, 7:30 p.m.; 27, Northside, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.10, at Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.
LORD BOTETOURT
1994 record: 3-7, 0-5.
Coach: Andy Ward, third year.
Returning starters: Rocky Lark, Sr., FB-LB, 5-10, 205; Wesley Cox, Jr., TB-DB, 5-11, 175; Eric Erickson, Sr., DE-OT, 6-2, 218; Jeremy Conner, Jr., WR-DB, 5-9, 175; Tim Harris, Sr., DB (also WR), 5-8, 185; Jamie Livengood, Sr., OT, 5-8, 205; Michael Edwards, Jr., OT, 5-10, 238.
Other key players: Seth Myers, Jr., QB, 6-0, 185; Torrey Phanelson, Jr., LB-RB, 5-10, 200, (transfer from William Fleming); Clark Delp, Jr., G, 6-0, 235; Danny Sumner, Jr., G, 5-10, 235; Erick Poindexter, Soph., DT, 5-10, 295; K.B. Rodgers, Soph., OLB, 6-1, 225; Michael Thompson, Soph., MLB-C, 6-2, 215.
Major losses: Barry Williams, CB-TE, 6-1, 170; Jason Ramey, QB, 5-9, 160; Jesse Pero, DE-G, 6-0, 225; Shannon Newton, LB-G, 5-10, 195.
Outlook: The Cavaliers have good skill people and seem to be developing a program. They should improve their overall record, but still might not be ready to challenge for the title.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.8, at Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.; 15, James River, 7:30 p.m.; 22, at Christiansburg, 7:30 p.m.; 29, at Rockbridge County, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.6, at Salem, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Covington, 7:30 p.m.; 20, Northside, 7:30 p.m.; 27, William Byrd, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.3, at Craig County, 7:30 p.m.; 10, Alleghany, 7:30 p.m.
NORTHSIDE
1994 record: 8-3, 4-1.
Coach: Jim Hickam, 21st year.
Returning starters: Mike Dillon, Sr., QB, 6-1, 20; Kirk Likens, Sr., RB, 5-10, 172; Jonathan Underwood, Sr., WR, 5-8, 156; Myles Jackson, Sr., WR (also ILB), 5-11, 162; Jason Davidson, Sr., C (also OLB), 5-10, 176; Kris McDaniel, Sr., G (also DT), 6-0, 181; John Doss, Jr., DB (also RB), 5-9, 158; Brad Harper, Sr., DE (also OT and P), 5-11, 192; Clay Kasey, Jr., DT (also G), 6-0, 259; Dee Shovely, Sr., DB (also WR), 5-11, 148; Donnie Leininger, Sr., LB (also FB), 5-10, 215; Scott Booth, Sr., LB-K, 5-8, 183; Loopy Lewis, Soph., DT, 6-2, 265.
Other key players: Xavier Cargile, Soph., LB, FB, 5-9, 224; Michael Bullock, Sr., DB-RB, 5-8, 152; Shannon Ragland, Jr., DT-OT, 6-1, 212; Jason Sheetz, Sr., TE-LB, 5-10, 191; Ed Smith, Sr., G-DT, 5-10, 266.
Major losses: Karim Thompson, RB-OLB, 6-0, 175; Chris Askew, G-LB, 5-101/2, 212; Roth Townsend, OT-DT, 6-6, 315; Jeff Painter, OT-DT, 6-5, 265; Darius Henderson, DB-RB, 6-0, 163; Ashley Baroulette, TE-OLB, 6-4, 198.
Outlook: Matching last year's record and season will be tough because the Vikings probably lost more talent and speed than any team in the district. Still, Northside's program is strong enough to make the Vikings a contender for the championship.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, Cave Spring, 7:30 p.m.; 8, Carroll County, 7:30 p.m.; 15, at Rockbridge County, 7:30 p.m.; 29, William Byrd, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.6, at Blacksburg, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Spotswood; 20, at Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 27, at Alleghany, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.3, Christiansburg, 7:30 p.m.; 10, at Salem, 7:30 p.m.
ROCKBRIDGE CO.
1994 record: 5-5, 3-2.
Coach: Jamie Talbott, fourth year
Returning starters: Greg Stubblefield, Sr, QB-DB, K (also K) 5-10, 165; Jimmy Emore, Sr., DB (also TB), 5-9, 165; Chad Brown, Sr., RB-DB, 5-7, 175; John Camden, Sr, TE-LB, 6-2, 195; Mike Camden, Sr., DE (also TE), 6-2, 200; Travis Tomlin, Sr., DT (also OT), 6-2, 230; Chad Hostetter, Sr., C, 6-0, 195.
Other key players: Jeremy Ramsey, Jr., RB-LB, 6-0, 185; Jason Wiser, Soph. (transfer from Kansas), OT, 6-1, 230; Chris Nicely, Sr., G-DT, 5-11, 200.
Major losses: Gary Tyree, RB, 5-8, 150; David Long, LB, 6-0, 190; Jamie Campbell, LB-G, 5-9, 185; Jason Terry, DT, 6-2, 210.
Outlook: Rockbridge County figures in the title picture, just as it has since opening as a Group AA school three years ago. The Wildcats don't have depth at the skill positions, however, and that could slow them late in the season if injuries mount.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, at Covington, 7:30 p.m.; 8, R.E. Lee-Staunton, 7:30 p.m.; 15, Northside, 7:30 p.m.; 22, at Franklin County, 7:30 p.m.; 29, Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.6, Cave Spring, 7:30 p.m.; 20, at Alleghany, 7:30 p.m.; 27, Salem, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.3, at William Byrd, 7:30 p.m.; 10, at Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.
SALEM
1994 record: 7-5, 5-0 (district champions).
Coach: Willis White, 13th year
Returning starters: Chris Huff, Sr., DE-FB, 5-10, 210, Seth Moore, Sr., QB-DB, 6-1, 170; Shawn Dobbins, Sr., C (also DT), 6-11/2, 230; Pierce Weikle, Jr., G (also DT), 6-0, 240; Ricky Eubanks, Jr., DB, (also WR), 5-10, 150; Rusty Howell, Sr., DT (also FB), 5-10, 215; Jeff Akers, Jr., DE (also TE), 6-1, 200; Matt Wheeling, Sr., LB (also G), 5-10, 211.
Other key players: Dan Baker, Sr., OT-NG, 6-3, 250; Keith Bishop, Sr., TE, 6-1, 160; Gussie Vaughan, Jr., RB- LB, 5-9, 165; Travis Miles, Jr., OT, 6-1, 265; Brandon Poff, Jr., NG, 6-0, 195; Matt Edwards, Sr., DB, 5-10, 145; Jamie Garst, Fr., LB, 5-11, 164; Brent Humphrey, Sr., WR, 5-10, 149; R.J. Beckwith, Jr., DB, 5-11, 160; Kenny Naugle, Sr., WR-DB, 5-8, 130; Matt Anderson, Fr., RB-LB, 5-7, 160; Chris Stuart, Soph., DT, 5-8, 175; James Giarla, Soph., G-DT, 6-3, 195; Mike Conlan, Jr., OT-DT, 6-2, 214.
Major losses: Mike Murphy, RB-DB-KR, 5-6, 163; Lee Updike, P-K, 5-9, 139; Chris Male, G-NG, 5-7, 181; Scott Ashcraft, G, 5-10, 235; Doug Perdue, TE-DT, 6-0, 207; Kevin Feazell, OLB-WR, 5-11, 176; Aaron Coffey, WR, 5-11, 154; Matt Hyatt, WR-DB, 6-0, 157; Charlie Hammersley, RB-LB, 5-11, 166; Brian Gordon, LB, 5-10, 159; Mike Williams, OT, 5-11, 222.
Outlook: Last fall was the year to get Salem, and Blue Ridge District teams failed to keep the Spartans from winning. Now Salem is back in the role of favorite, though this team might not be quite as dominant as Spartan squads were in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Still, it should be a strong group, ready to attack a tough schedule.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, R.E. Lee-Staunton, 7:30 p.m.; 8, at Blacksburg, 7:30 p.m.; 15, Patrick Henry (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.; 29, at Alleghany, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.6, Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 13, at Pulaski County, 8 p.m.; 20, William Byrd, 7:30 p.m.; 27, at Rockbridge County, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.3, Cave Spring, 7:30 p.m.; 10, Northside, 7:30 p.m.
WILLIAM BYRD
1994 record: 4-6, 1-4.
Coach: Jeff Highfill, 15th year.
Returning starters: Timmy Boothe, Jr. C (moves to OT-DT), 5-11, 215; Chad Price, Jr., G (also DE), 6-0, 190; Gerald Pratt, Sr., OT (also DE), 6-0, 205; Jonathan Hartsock, Sr., TE-DE, 6-1, 180; Jes Shrewsbury, Sr., TE, 6-0, 218; Frank English, Jr., QB-OLB, 6-1, 185; Michael Berry, Sr., WR-K-P (also DB), 5-11, 170; Milton Clark, Jr., DT, 5-11, 216; Zack Slayton, Jr., DT (also OT), 5-9, 210; Jamie Fuqua, Jr., DB (also RB), 5-11, 165; David Anderson, Sr., DB, 5-7, 130.
Other key players: Tillman Bolling, Jr., C, 5-9, 185; Daniel Wagner, Soph., FB-LB, 5-10, 204; Neal Smith, Sr., FB-LB, 5-10, 161; Matt Evjen, Jr., LB, 5-9, 160; Jerold Vest, Sr., DB-WR, 6-2, 165.
Major losses:Matt Bryant, QB-DB, 5-11, 160; Barry Myvett, RB-DB, 5-8, 153; Mike Stiff, RB-DB, 5-8, 156; Roger Wilkerson, OT-DT, 6-1, 201; David Peters, DE, 5-9, 195.
Outlook: The Terriers are ahead of last year, but they're still small and play in a tough league. Look for Byrd to continue on the comeback trail and maybe finish in the middle of the district standings with some breaks.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, Lynchburg Christian , 7:30 p.m.; 8, at Bassett, 7:30 p.m.; 15, Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.; 29, at Northside, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.6, Alleghany, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Carroll County, 7:30 p.m.; 20, at Salem, 7:30 p.m.; 27, at Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.3, Rockbridge County, 7:30 p.m.; 10, at Christiansburg, 7:30 p.m.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1, Salem; 2, Northside; 3, Rockbridge County; 4, Alleghany; 5, Lord Botetourt; 6, William Byrd.
by CNB