Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 12, 1995 TAG: 9510120011
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The reasons prompting his strategy are senior wingback Geoff English, junior tailback and 1994 Sizzlin' Sophomore Kevin Martin and junior fullback Jarrett Ferguson.
Running behind a young but effective offensive line, the trio averaged nearly 6.5 yards a carry through four games (statistics for last Friday's game against Appomattox County are not included). They have combined for 768 yards and nine touchdowns on 119 carries.
"They are three good players," Gray said. "They have their own strengths individually but they play as a team."
When the players are on the field, which is all the time since each one either plays defense or on special teams, they have the potential to make a big play at any moment. Just ask Liberty coach Mike Scharnus.
Two weeks ago against the Minutemen, Martin and Ferguson wasted no time displaying their abilities to provoke "oohs and aahs" in the stands.
On the opening kickoff, Ferguson jetted down the sideline for a 95-yard touchdown and a quick 6-0 lead. After Liberty came back to take a one-point lead, Martin struck with an 83-yard touchdown run on Staunton River's first play from scrimmage.
On just two plays, the pair combined for 178 all-purpose yards and two minutes hadn't even passed. The Eagles (2-3) lost but an impression was definitely set that evening.
"I think we were a little shell-shocked at how fast they scored," Scharnus said after his team's 42-18 victory.
Not to be left out, English has also displayed his big-play ability a couple of times this season. English, who actually starts at linebacker and not on offense, had touchdown runs of 36 and 23 yards against Nelson County in the team's second game.
The trio is accountable for about 95 percent of Staunton River's offense since Gray took over last season.
Many players would probably dislike being a main target in a one-dimensional offense. Gray's athletes, however, don't mind the coach's scheme.
"It puts pressure on us but it makes us run a little harder," said Martin, who plays on the basketball team with English and also runs track.
Maybe the athletes are thinking about the future and how Gray's offense could benefit them later on.
For many high school football players, dreams of playing college ball are lively until their names are left off the all-star lists and the scholarship offers aren't made. The hopes of Gray's talented backfield are no different.
Whether trying to emulate Detroit's Barry Sanders, Indianapolis' Marshall Faulk or Virginia's Tiki Barber (Martin's cousin), the three runners are very serious about football.
"I want to go all the way to the pros if I can," Ferguson said.
And though he hasn't been heavily recruited, he has begun to consider what colleges may suit him best.
"I was looking at Virginia Tech because my mom said it has a good engineering program," Ferguson said of his prospective major.
As for his teammates, English talked about wanting to play for Ferrum while Martin stated an interest in the ACC - Virginia or Florida State.
If the backs don't have enough pressure during the regular boundaries of a game, Gray doesn't ease up on special teams. The Eagles do not kick for extra-points.
"One of these days, we're going to have to kick an extra point to win a ball game," Gray said. "But right now, I feel more comfortable going for the two-point conversion.
"When we're on the 3-yard line, we are going to run our offense the way we did to get down the field."
So far, Gray's philosophy has payed off.
The Golden Eagles have converted eight of their 14 attempts for 16 points following touchdowns. As Gray explained, if he had gone for the extra-point each time and converted, Staunton River would have only scored 14 points.
But the decision reflects the circumstances. And with three very talented young men in the backfield the philosophy is simple - in order to stop Staunton River, you must stop the run.
by CNB