Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 1, 1995 TAG: 9509010041
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Bulldogs went 5-5 last year, losing four of their last six games. So what will Martinsville do in the Piedmont District race this year?
``We'll probably only dress 31 kids, but we have a bunch of good backs,'' said Martinsville coach Taylor Edwards. ``We'll go to a three-back offense from the I-formation.''
The Bulldogs return 11 players on each side of the ball, headed by a pair of Division I prospects - defensive tackles Marco Law and Derrick Wright. One of the Bulldogs' best players might be freshman Marcus Hairston, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound running back who will team with Manti Venable, a Timesland Sizzlin' Sophomore running back.
Magna Vista is trying to bounce back from a 5-5 season, the first time since the school opened in 1988 that it failed to have a winning year. The Warriors return six offensive starters including running back Jermaine Simmons, who rushed for 765 yards and John Tunnell, who was the Region III second-team place-kicker.
Bassett opens under new coach Ken Moran, hoping to repeat last year's trip to the Region III Division 3 championship game behind 225-pound tailback Devonne Claybrooks and 195-pound fullback Carl Watkins. Both are also key defensive players and the Bengals will need that until two freshmen quarterbacks, Claude Woods and T.K. Johnson, get experience.
Fieldale-Collinsville could be a factor with six offensive and seven defensive starters back, including speedy Delvin Joyce, who moves from split end to tailback, and fullback-linebacker Mancino Craighead.
Laurel Park will have a strong line, but may struggle until its skill people log some playing time. The Lancers will operate behind inside linebacker Marcus Hairston, who will play either tight end or quarterback. Offensive linemen Eric Bray, Juan Hairston and Drew Lowery are also keys.
BLUE RIDGE DISTRICT: As usual, Rockbridge County figures to be in the title scrap with a lot of depth at the skill positions. The showcase player for the Wildcats is quarterback-defensive back-punter-kicker Greg Stubblefield. ``He'll hardly ever leave the field,'' said Rockbridge County coach Jamie Talbott.
Chad Brown is back at running back and will team with tailback Jimmy Emore behind 6-2, 230-pound Travis Tomlin and 230-pound Jason Wiser, a transfer from Kansas.
Alleghany hopes to make new coach Max Lowe's first year a good one behind speedy wide receiver-defensive back Oliver Jordan and running back Donald Downing. Brandon Campbell, a 6-4, 270-pound tackle, is one of the few veterans in the line.
NEW RIVER DISTRICT: It could be a long year for inexperienced Carroll County. The Cavaliers have quarterback Jake Beamer back, but the five running backs have taken two varsity snaps among them.
PIONEER DISTRICT: Could it be two championships in a row for Bath County? The single-wing Chargers return seven starters on each side of the ball. The offense is headed by tailback Jamie Carroll, who rushed for 1,144 yards and 19 touchdowns. Defensively, linebacker Jason Pauley was in on 92 tackles and defensive end Ivan Franklin on 70 tackles.
Covington should be a main challenger behind returning All-State lineman Jason Stanier, a 6-1, 228-pound tackle and quarterback-defensive back Mike Barber, a veteran do-everything player.
Parry McCluer opens under new coach Charlie Wheeler, who must rebuild from last year's 2-8 record. The Fighting Blues return nine players on offense headed by runnning backs Nathan Floyd, D.J. Douglas and Sheldon Douglas.
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE DISTRICT: The favorite is Fort Chiswell. The Pioneers will operate behind quarterback Adam Morgan, who threw for 1,035 yards, and All-Group A receiver Michael White with 36 catches for 503 yards.
Perennial power Grayson County also has a lot of starters back, including versatile athlete Chad Shaffner, who moves from quarterback to tailback and from defensive back to linebacker.
Bland County has little experience to match last year's 7-3 record, but has veteran coaches Ed Selfe and Dave Lambert back to team with former Group AAA coach John Chmara. Galax has the least experienced team for new coach Kim Gillespie who hopes running back Mike Campbell has a big year.
HOGOHEEGEE DISTRICT: The hope for George Wythe is a return to the Group A Division 2 playoffs. The Maroons lost 18 starters, returning only quarterback Rock Coeburn on offense. He threw for 629 yards and eight touchdowns. On defense, linebackers Andy Turner and Jim Runyon, with 111 tackles between them, are back.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB