ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 28, 1996 TAG: 9603290015
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Is Cave Spring ready to take it to the next level in Group AAA boys' soccer? Is William Byrd about to overtake defending Group AA champion Blacksburg?
Those are the two big questions in Roanoke area soccer this spring. Cave Spring coach Bruce Mahan, in his second year, vowed to make the Knights' program competitive enough to make its way through the Northwest Region and earn a spot in the state tournament. Byrd lost to Blacksburg in the Group AA semifinal game last spring, but the Terriers have most of that team back.
Both Cave Spring and William Byrd return an All-Timesland player. The Knights are led by forward Chris Hewitt, the leading scorer in the Roanoke Valley District. The Terriers will be paced by forward Michael Berry, an all-Group AA first- or second-team player the last three seasons.
The Knights also have two other RVD first-teamers in midfielders Brian Sharp and Andy Newton, who switches to forward. Steve Kunkle remains at midfield where Cave Spring is very strong.
Dustin Morse heads the Knights' defense, while midfielder Jorge Rivera made the Olympic Development team. The goalie position is a big question, with backup Pete Nevin taking over.
``We're working toward [the state],'' said Mahan. ``This time last year, we looked better, so that concerns me. The potential is there.''
Nevertheless, Cave Spring was impressive in an opening 2-0 victory over Tennessee High of Bristol last week.
Patrick Henry will be the Knights' big challenger in the RVD. The Patriots are hoping to improve after failing to make the Group AAA Northwest Region last year.
Midfielder Brooks Berry, All-RVD defender Daniel Hurst, All-RVD midfielder Patrick Barritt and junior forward Cory Evans are the top veterans back for coach Ed McMichael's team. Midfielders Chris Hood, from New Jersey, and Mark Levan, who is back from North Cross after playing for PH as a freshman, are transfers that should give the Patriots depth.
Elsewhere in the RVD, Franklin County, which went to the region along with Cave Spring, returns nine starters to try to better an 8-9 record. The Eagles return four seniors - midfielders Aaron Adkins, Chad Welch and Chris Myers and fullback Donnie Smalley. Two sophomores, who started as freshmen, are fullback Sammy Huff and striker Wade Forte.
William Fleming is under new coach Thad Kiesnowski, whose team will try to reach a .500 record behind sweeper Garrett Lancaster and junior midfielder Khai Duong.
In the Blue Ridge, Byrd also has All-Region III halfback Aaron Dowdy back. Mike Creasy returns in goal, while coach Jeff Highfill has veterans Ernie Hale (center-halfback); forwards Greg Johnson, Cory Hastins and Eric Martin; halfbacks Matt Burton, Josh Jones and Ryne Grecus; and fullback Paul Higgins.
``We have depth, but we'll miss Matt Bryant's leadership,'' said Highfill about the graduated All-Timesland senior fullback. ``Someone has to step forward. Team chemistry will be the key to whether we'll be better.''
Salem, which lost in the Region III final to Byrd and then to Blacksburg in the first round of the state, has several starters, headed by forward Brady Warr, the Spartans' leading scorer. Other top returnees are midfielders Bryan Jones and Eric Millard, and fullbacks Jason Woolwine and Matt Tucker.
Lord Botetourt will get a lot of scoring from returning forwards Michael Gates and Curtis Shank, son of new coach Ralph Shank. The Cavaliers are strong at midfield with Bland Painter, Robert Snell and Aaron Flory, along with veteran defenseman Matt Monghan. Northside has all but one starter back, and is led by high-scoring forward Chris Lucado, midfielders Greg Cottone and Jason Tolbert, defenseman Brian Simpson and goalie Justin Morris.
Among the private schools, North Cross plays its usual tough schedule, including Patrick Henry, Cave Spring and Blacksburg. The Raiders lost to Tennessee High of Bristol, but have a lot of juniors returning and should get better as the spring progresses. Sweeper Mark Wise has already earned a scholarship to play at Radford, while David Levan (defense) and William Watkins (midfield) are quality players for veteran coach Richard Cook.
Roanoke Catholic will be moving people to different positions, and will be led by senior forward Shane Duddy, junior forward Marck Buchy and sophomore halfback Justin Pendarvis.
In the Seminole District, Liberty returns eight seniors from a 9-6 team and expects to improve its record behind forward Lee Fisher; midfielders Mike Ayers, Adrian Lanning and Harley Childress; and defenders Andy Baxter and Ryan Stevens. At Staunton River, new coach Kyle Remppies has a young team with a fair nucleus of returning players. Two seniors, goalie Rob Reed and defenseman James Bartels, should lead the Golden Eagles.
Among the Group A teams, Glenvar and James River will have a Pioneer District title to play for now that Bath County, a non-Roanoke area squad, has added soccer.
The Highlanders have eight starters returning, headed by center-halfback Kevin Solesbee, sweeper Tripp Waymack, goalie Shane Triplett and wings Jim Jett and Jarrett Spencer. The Knights return a mixture of starters and have promising freshmen, headed by center-halfback Chad Neighbors and Chris Eide, along with Jason Cuddy at striker. James River will try to improve on last year's 3-8-3 record.
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