Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 8, 1995 TAG: 9509080051
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If Floyd County High's famous 59-victory girls' basketball streak was to fall, you had to figure it would be coming this month, when the Buffaloes were traversing the meatgrinder (all Group AA opponents) part of the schedule.
So when the Buffaloes were toppled 64-62 on a last-second shot by Salem's Shellie Johnson this week, at least the grieving Floyd Countians could take comfort in knowing they fell to a worthy foe.
But take it on faith right now, once the Buffs begin to battle through the Group A portion of the schedule in October, look for construction to resume on another substantial winning streak.
BACK IN ACTION:Kevin Slusser, the Giles High running back who was the sensation of last week's 18-14 victory over Blacksburg with over 120 yards rushing and a touchdown, didn't exactly come out of nowhere.
The goateed Slusser, a senior now, did some nice things as a reserve running back during his sophomore season, which also happened to be the year the Spartans won the state Group A Division 2 title.
``I didn't play last year because of some personal stuff,'' he said.
With that in mind, it is reasonable to assume that it took Slusser a little longer to round into playing form this summer.
``It was the hottest summer we've had around here,'' he said. ``That helped whip me into shape.''
BIG BOYS:The guy you hear about all the time for defending state Division 2 football champion Powell Valley, Radford's opponent tonight, is tailback Thomas Jones. And although Jones is solid as the Federal Reserve, he can't go it alone, nor does he have to.
The guy gets holes to work with punctured by some of the beefiest and fire breathingest linemen this side of Cumberland Gap. Across the front, the Vikings go Steve Rutherford (5-foot-9, 215 pounds) at center; Keith Estepppe (6-2, 222) and Jerry Shuler (5-10, 253) at guards; and Josh Christian (6-1, 267) and Josh Burnette (6-2, 219) at tackles.
Maybe that's how Jones got all those rushing yards (a state record 3,314 in 1994 alone). Foes take one look at those linemen and faint dead away.
``Take Jones away and Powell Valley would still contend for a state championship,'' says one guy down that way who knows his football.
SECOND GENERATION:The father of Radford quarterback Tremond Hale, Radford police officer Gurney Hale, played football for Pulaski County coach Joel Hicks when Hicks was at Big Creek High in West Virginia.
That was Hicks' first high school coaching job. He was there from the mid to late 1960's.
Quite a long time ago that was, somebody said.
``Thanks,'' Hicks said.
HEADBANGER:The guy who led Christiansburg High in tackling last week against Tazewell with 10 was the same guy who led the team in 1994.
And Scottie Brubeck is still playing cornerback.
For those of you who think that any team for whom a cornerback has 127 tackles, like Brubeck did last year as a sophomore, has problems, Christiansburg coach Mike Cole knows where you're coming from.
``But he reads so well that he's one of the best I've ever coached,'' Cole said. ``We saw what he could do last year and made the decision to change some coverages around to free him up more to make the tackle.''
HIT THE JUICE:Giles linebacker Brandon Steele was standing in the close and steamy quarters of the Spartans dressing room after his team had rallied from two touchdowns down to beat Blacksburg 18-14 and trying to explain how things turned out that way.
``We played about 50 percent in the first half,'' he said. ``We were just flat; no intensity.''
Flat? How could you be flat, against Blacksburg, in the season opener, with something like 4,000 people in attendance?
``I don't know,'' he said. ``But in the second half, it was just like we turned on a switch.''
And it was lights out for bitterly disappointed but unbowed Blacksburg.
``The effort was there but we didn't get it done,'' Blacksburg coach David Crist said. ``We will be a good football team. Nothing intimidates these kids.''
Ray Cox is a sportswriter for The Roanoke Times.
by CNB