ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 30, 1996 TAG: 9605300044
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Maybe one of the reasons Blacksburg High School keeps returning to the Group AA boys' soccer tournament is because it keeps trotting out a seemingly never-ending supply of strong-legged types such as this year's offensive star, Nick Kappas.
Graduation hammered the Indians a year ago, cleaning their house of nine seniors, the heart of a team that had just won its second state title in three years. One of those who remained was Kappas.
Kappas, now a senior, had kicked his way into a nice little role for the Indians last year, operating from the left wing where his unusual skills with both feet (soccer players usually have a dominant foot that they rely on) were best exploited.
Coming into the current season, Blacksburg coach Shelley Blumenthal knew he was going to have to find some team leaders. One of them was a natural, Ben Pinkerton, the flamboyant and skillful goalkeeper. The other was Kappas.
Leadership did not immediately come naturally to Kappas. Therefore, he had to figure some things out first.
``I knew we had our team set, but what I wanted to find out was what kinds of attitudes and personalities we had on the team and find out where I fit in.''
Where Kappas fit in was as the primary goal scorer, a role that he has assumed with gusto. Kappas has 16 goals to go along with six assists. The scoring led the team.
His most recent heroics came Tuesday night in a state quarterfinal game when he ripped a shot off the hands of Salem goalkeeper Jon McClure for the only score in the Indians' 1-0 victory.
It was Kappas' third goal in as many postseason games.
As much as his scoring, Blacksburg also needed the aforementioned leadership and Kappas has provided plenty of that, too.
``He's not real vocal like Ben Pinkerton is, but he leads by example on the field. He's gone from being a role player as a junior to being one of the most significant players on the field," Blumenthal said. ``He has developed into a tremendous leader.''
Win or lose in the state tournament, the end is in sight for Kappas' playing career. He'll attend Virginia Tech next year. Unless there is an unforeseen development, varsity soccer won't be in his collegiate plans. Thus, he's trying to squeeze every last memory he can from the sport.
``Every time I go out there and play, I want to get myself and my team up as far as we can go so that win or lose, we can know we gave it 110 percent and will have no regrets.''
Kappas has approached his entire senior year that way. During the winter, he went out for basketball for the first time and made the team. By the end of the year, he was a valuable team member and one of the first players off the bench.
``I had a great time playing,'' he said.
Having a great time at play does come naturally for Kappas.
``He plays with a great deal of enthusiasm,'' Blumenthal said. ``He has earned the respect of our opponents and his teammates.''
Kappas has spent most of the year at center midfield, where he can direct traffic, hit the open man with a pass, and be in position to score when need be. Occasionally, though, Blumenthal has moved him around on the field so as to better isolate him for scoring opportunities. One of the reasons that this has become an option (aside from Kappas' own versatility) is the emergence of Jason Randolph as a threat off the bench. Randolph comes in to take Kappas' regular position on the field so Kappas can play elsewhere.
Kappas, the son of well-known Blacksburg restaurateur Chris Kappas, is thinking about exploring business studies once he gets to college. Whether he'll eventually land in the family business is uncertain, but he suspects that his father would prefer he enter a less stressful line of work.
The younger Kappas hasn't been one for taking the easy way out nor has his soccer team. Although perhaps the Indians are not as talented as they have been in the past several years (``That's safe to say,'' Kappas said), they have nevertheless undertaken their usual killer schedule that included five Group AAA foes, four of whom made postseason play, as well as private school power North Cross.
Nevertheless, Blacksburg went 12-5-2, again won Region IV, and will attempt to extend a five-game winning streak in Friday's 7 p.m. state semifinal clash with visiting William Byrd. The Terriers (16-3) hammered Region IV runner-up Virginia High 5-1 Tuesday behind four goals from forward Michael Berry. Berry, a senior, has 28 goals and 28 assists.
Byrd has had a terrific program for many years, but Blacksburg didn't get to where it is now by concentrating on what the other team is capable of. The Indians' focus is on finding ways to best play their own game.
``Maybe we're peaking at the right time, '' Blumenthal said.
Kappas, it would seem, has been peaking all year.
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM/Staff. Blacksburg's Nick Kappas dribbles aroundby CNBa Salem player Tuesday evening. Kappas scored the winning goal in
the second half. color.