ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608290014
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 27 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PEARISBURG
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
Coach Steve Ragsdale's Giles Spartans came within one game of making the Group A, Division 2 title game last year before being derailed by eventual state champion Powell Valley and its talented tailback, Thomas Jones.
Despite the Spartans' illustrious tradition, Ragsdale says this year's team isn't thinking title just yet.
"We're not looking at another trip to the playoffs or talking about titles right now," Ragsdale said. "It's way too early for that. We were pretty hard hit by graduation and we're a little smaller than in past years. We just need to work on our own game. ... I know it sounds like a cliche, but if we take care of ourselves, the rest will come."
For right now, taking care of business boils down to finding out exactly who is capable of doing the job.
"This year, perhaps more than any other year I've been here, we have a lot of positions that are still up for grabs," Ragsdale said. "We return a nucleus of about eight or nine kids, but besides that, we're wide open."
Gone from last season's unit are a pair of 1,000-yard single-wing running backs, Reggie Hoston and Kevin Slusser, as well as all-Group A selections Brandon Steele at linebacker, Alex Webb from the offensive and defensive line, and offensive and defensive end Anthony Myers. In all, graduation claimed six players that were at least first-team All-Three Rivers District performers.
"We've got a lot of big holes that need to be filled," Ragsdale said.
Giles, which went 11-2 with a 4-0 record in the Three Rivers, must count on a pair of seniors, blocking back Chris Bales and tailback Chris Ratcliffe, to lead the Spartans signature single wing. Ratcliffe will also play a significant role on defense as the team's top performer in the secondary.
"Ball handling is a chief concern for us every year, with the single wing," Ragsdale said. "I think the most important stat in football is your team's turnover ratio. That's something we are going to have to work on to keep down."
Last year, the Auburn Eagles finished 5-5 (2-2 in the district) and came within one game of making the Group A, Division I playoffs. That was quite an achievement for one of the smallest football-playing schools in the state - a school that was a year removed from a 2-8 record.
This year Auburn hopes to build on last year's momentum to once again make a run at the playoffs.
"We haven't talked about team goals yet, but the kids are cautiously optimistic about this year," Eagles coach Steve Wright said. "We were close to the playoffs last year, but we aren't talking wins or losses or even playoffs just yet. I'm sure the kids want to improve on the five wins from last year."
If Auburn is to improve, then Wright will have to find capable replacements for four of his top offensive performers from a year ago - tight end Kenny Wojciechowski, tailback David Hughes, wingback Conrad Hughes and center Mike McNeil.
"I'd say our biggest weaknesses right now are in our offensive backfield," Wright said. "We lost the entire starting unit from a year ago. William Shelton is going to have to carry a lot of the load in the backfield this year."
Shelton, a 5-10, 190-pound junior, saw time last season as a part-time starter. Shelton amassed 230 yards on 44 carries a year ago. Another key returnee to the Eagle offense is Jason Phipps, last year's starter at quarterback.
"Jason's a real mature young man," Wright said. "He developed a lot of confidence last year and he just continues to impress me in practice."
At Floyd County, if there can be a positive drawn from a 1-9 (0-4 in the district) season, it's that there is almost nowhere to go but up. That's the line Floyd County coach Winfred Beale is trying to get across to his young Buffaloes.
"We've got a long way to go this year," Beale said. "Last year was a real struggle, but the kids have pretty much put it behind them and are ready to go at it again this year."
Beale said a point of emphasis coming into this season is a return to the physical style of play that translated to a pair of 7-3 seasons in '92 and '93. With the return of three members of last season's offensive line - senior center Ben Seals and junior guards David and James Phillips - a firm foundation exists for an effective straight-ahead rushing attack.
"We feel like we just need to play aggressively and hit people hard," Beale said. "If we do that, it should translate into more wins this season."
The Glenvar Highlanders make their Three Rivers debut this year after moving over from the Pioneer District. By way of an introduction, the words "flamboyant" and "offense" haven't often been mentioned in the same sentence when talking about Glenvar football over the years.
That suits Highlander coach Brian Hooker fine.
"We're going to run the ball a lot this year," Hooker said. "That's the key to our offense once again."
The Highlander offense returns eight starters from last season's 4-6 (1-4 Pioneer) squad. Of that eight, half are stationed in the offensive trenches, giving Hooker one of the district's more experienced offensive fronts.
"We're really pleased with the offensive line this year," Hooker said. "We've got a lot of experience there and it looks like they've got a good amount of chemistry among them. Last year our line was a little young and caused us some problems. This year having four of them back should be good for our offense."
Seniors Dale Bowman, Keith Chumley and juniors Nick Elliot and Shane Triplett are are central to Hooker's offensive plans. The most immediate impact the foursome should have is in providing a young starter at quarterback with some much-needed protection. Seth Noonkester, a 6-5, 195-pound sophomore, takes over as the signal caller for the departed Corey Willis.
At Radford, the Bobcats have positioned themselves as the most likely candidate to challenge Giles for the district crown. Last year, veteran coach Norman Lineburg's team posted an 8-3 (3-1 district) mark, losing twice to Giles (once in the playoffs) and once to Powell Valley.
Attrition has taken its toll at Radford, but a number of capable players return to plug the holes left by graduation. Junior quarterback Adam Artrip, a first-year starter, is expected to be taking the snaps. He takes over for the departed Tremond Hale, an option specialist. Artrip played occasionally at quarterback last season, every now and then splitting duty with Hale.
"He played a decent amount last year as a sophomore, so he should be all right," Lineburg said. "The main concern is that we don't have a deep offensive line, and if they struggle it could cause problems for Adam."
Lineburg said the Bobcats must be sound defensively. The most important question there is a young secondary.
On offense, the backfield of juniors Bud Redden and Mike Dunbar won't have the flash of Bobcats backfields of recent vintage. What Redden and Dunbar lack in speed they make up for in power.
For the first time in a number of years, the Shawsville Shawnees are talking about playoff bids and district titles. Coach Darrell Sutherland's squad features the Three Rivers' top returning signal caller as well as one of its most cohesive lines.
"The biggest improvements we've made are in our line play and our overall team attitude," Sutherland said. "This team is the most focused and has the best ethic I've ever been around as a coach. We feel like this year we have a chance at being one of the better teams in the district. We're looking at playing 14 games this year - not saying we're going to win all 14, but we'd like to be around for 14."
For those who are counting, a 14-game schedule would put the Shanwnees in the Group A Division 1 championship game.
Seniors Josh Boone and Chris Wimmer and juniors Josh Basham, Ben Jones and Matt Mills return to anchor a veteran offensive line. Sophomore Patrick Mullins should also be a key performer on the line of scrimmage.
First team all-district quarterback Chris Graham is back to lead the Shawsville double-slot offense. Despite Graham's 1,200 yards passing and graduated all-district receiver Jett Marrs' 35 receptions in '95, the Shawnees managed to go just 2-8 (1-3 district).
Obviously, there are no plans for a repeat.
AUBURN
1995 record: 2-2 (third in Three Rivers District), 5-5 overall
Coach: Steve Wright, fourth season
Returning starters: Devan Howard, jr., G, LB, 6-1, 220; Justin Bittinger, jr., G, LB, 6-1, 180; Mike Melton, sr., T, DT, 5-9, 195; Chris Saul, jr., T, 6-1, 180; Jason Phipps, sr., QB, S, 6-0, 180; Travis Harvey, sr., CB, 5-9, 150.
Other key players: William Shelton, jr., RB, DE, 5-10, 190; Mike Bibb, jr., SE, CB, 5-9, 150.
Major losses: Kenny Wojciechowski, TE, DE; David Hughes, TB, NG; Conrad Hughes, WB, S; Mike McNeil, C, DT.
Outlook: The Eagles took everyone by surprise last season, falling just one victory short of a playoff berth. Auburn will do well to duplicate that feat this season. More likely, the Eagles are least a year away from a trip to the postseason.
1996 SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 - at Pocahontas, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 - Craig County, 7:30 p.m.; 13 - at Floyd County, 7:30 p.m.; 20 - at Giles, 7:30 p.m.; 27 - at Galax, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 - Fort Chiswell, 7:30 p.m.; 11 - Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.; 18 - Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.; 25 - Bland, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8 - at Radford, 7:30 p.m.
FLOYD COUNTY
1995 record: 0-4 (fifth in Three Rivers District), 1-9 overall
Coach: Winfred Beale, 15th season
Returning starters: Tony Erchul, sr., QB, 6-4, 190; Ben Seals, sr., C, 6-1, 190; David Phillips, jr., G, 5-11, 185; James Phillips, jr., G, 6-0, 185; Marty McBroom, sr., TE, 6-2, 180; Phillip Gillespie, sr., WR, 5-9, 160; Nick Wohn, jr., TB, 5-9, 165; Dale Phillips, sr., TB, 5-8, 180.
Other key players: Matt Bishop, sr., SE, 5-11, 165.
Major losses: Craig Reed, RB, QB, DB; Jerry Hollandsworth, SE, DB; Ben Forehand, T, DT.
Outlook: Friday nights could once again be difficult for the Buffaloes, who appear to have less experience than anybody in the district. The Buffaloes could improve on last year's win total, but don't expect major gains.
1996 SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 - James River, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 - at Giles, 7:30 p.m.; 13 - Auburn, 7:30 p.m.; 20 - at Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.; 27 - at Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 - at Carroll County, 7:30 p.m.; 18 - Galax, 7:30 p.m.; 25 - at Craig County, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 - Radford, 7:30 p.m.; 8 - Grayson County, 7:30 p.m.
GILES
1995 record: 4-0 (first), 11-2 overall
Coach: Steve Ragsdale, 19th season
Returning starters: Zeb Bowden, sr., G, 5-7, 175; Chris Bales, sr., blocking back, 5-9, 160; Chris Ratcliffe, sr., TB, S, 6-1, 165; Matt Whitehead, sr., OLB, 5-9, 160; Timmy Sutphin, sr., NG, 5-10, 160; Chris Ruth, sr., DT, 5-11, 190.
Other key players: Roger Simpkins, sr., C, 5-9, 190; Emmanuel Young, sr., DE, 5-10, 150.
Major losses: Brandon Steele, FB, LB; Alex Webb, G, DE; Anthony Myers, OE, DE; Reggie Hoston, TB, DB; Kevin Slusser, FB, OLB; Jared Dalton, G, DT.
Outlook: Despite the loss of six all-district performers, Giles remains the team against which the rest of the district is measured. An Oct. 11 showdown with Radford at home may be the key game in Giles' quest to repeat as champion.
1996 SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 - at Blacksburg, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 - Floyd County, 7:30 p.m.; 13 - at Narrows, 7:30 p.m.; 20 - Auburn, 7:30 p.m.; 27 - at Fort Chiswell, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 - at Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.; 11 - Radford, 7:30 p.m.; 18 - at Bland, 7:30 p.m.; 25 - James Monroe, W.Va, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 - Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.
GLENVAR
1995 record: 1-4 (fourth in Pioneer District), 4-6 overall
Coach: Brian Hooker, eighth season
Returning starters: Shane Triplett, jr., C, NG, 6-0, 245; Nick Elliot, jr., RG, 5-10, 215; Dale Bowman, sr., RT, 6-1, 195; Keith Chumley, sr., LT, 5-9, 220; Lynward Twine, sr., FB, MLB, 5-10, 190; Tony Lewis, sr., WR, OLB, 5-8, 170; Tyler Brown, jr., DT, 6-1, 230; Hunter Allen, sr., CB, 5-9, 160.
Other key players: Kevin Solesbee, sr., WR, 6-0, 160; Chris Carroll, jr., TB, 5-9, 150; Seth Noonkester, so., QB, 6-5, 195.
Major losses: Eric East, TB, OLB; Corey Willis, QB, S; Aaron Akers, DT; Benjie Linkous, DE; Troy Henderson, WR.
Outlook: The Highlanders jump from the Pioneer to the Three Rivers District, bringing with them high hopes for a successful inaugural season. Glenvar has one of the district's most experienced offensive lines and a talented backfield led by Carroll and Twine. Most of the question marks about this team involve the defense.
1996 SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 - at Craig County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 - at Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 13 - William Byrd, 7:30 p.m.; 20 - Floyd County, 7:30 p.m.; 27 - James River, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 - Giles, 7:30 p.m.; 18 - at Auburn, 7:30 p.m.; 25 - at Radford, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 - at Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.; 8 - Covington, 7:30 p.m.
RADFORD
1995 record: 3-1 (second in Three Rivers District), 8-2 overall
Coach: Norm Lineburg, 27th season
Returning starters: Mike Dunbar, jr., LB, 5-11, 160; Jeff Kessinger, sr., T, 5-10, 210; Danny Wendle, sr., DE, 5-11, 180; Ken Keister, jr., LB, 6-1, 185; Mo Vaughn, jr., MONSTER (), 5-8, 155; Elliot Barton, sr., S, 5-10, 155.
Other key players: Adam Artrip, jr., QB, 6-0, 160; Bud Redden, jr., FB, 6-0, 210.
Major losses: Eddie Waldron, TB, LB; Larnelle Lewis, TB, LB; Tremond Hale, QB, DB; Kelly Underwood, DL; Chris Vicars, OL.
Outlook: Artrip steps into the role of full-time quarterback after playing part time last season. A young offensive line and linebacking corps are areas of concern, but if each matures quickly, the Bobcats could challenge Giles for the Three Rivers crown.
1996 SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 - Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 6 - Powell Valley, 7:30 p.m.; 13 - Grayson County, 7:30 p.m.; 20 - at Christiansburg, 7:30 p.m.; 27 - at Covington, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 - at Giles, 7:30 p.m.; 18 - Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.; 25 - Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 - at Floyd County, 7:30 p.m.; 8 - Auburn, 7:30 p.m.
SHAWSVILLE
1995 record: 1-3 (fourth in district), 2-8 overall
Coach: Darrell Sutherland, third season
Returning starters: Chris Graham, sr., QB, 6-2, 190; Ben Jones, jr., G, 6-1, 260; Josh Boone, sr., T, 5-11, 175; Matt Mills, jr., T, 5-8, 200; Chris Wimmer, sr., G, 5-11, 195.
Other key players: Josh Basham, jr., G, T, 5-10, 210; Ryan Childress, so., C, 5-10, 155; Patrick Mullins, so., T, 5-9, 135; Anthony Creasy, sr., TB, 6-1, 230.
Major losses: Scott Holleman, RB, OLB; Steven Lawson, WR; Jett Marrs, WR.
Outlook: If there's a dark horse candidate to make a run for the district title, it's Shawsville. Graham is the league's No. 1 quarterback, and an experienced line will give him time to attack opposing defenses. The final four games of the Shawnees' schedule - Radford, at James River, Glenvar, and at Giles - are likely to make or break the season.
1996 SCHEDULE
Sept. 6 - Roanoke Catholic, 7:30 p.m.; 13 - at Craig County, 7:30 p.m.; 20 - at Bland, 7:30 p.m.; 27 - Floyd County, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 - Narrows, 7:30 p.m.; 11 - at Auburn, 7:30 p.m.; 18 - Radford, 7:30 p.m.; 25 - at James River, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 - Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.; 8 - at Giles, 7:30 p.m.
LENGTH: Long : 276 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM/Staff. 1. Roger Simpkins, a senior center,by CNBreturns for Giles County. (headshots) 2.Creasey. 3. Atrip. 4. Wohn.
5. Zeb Bowden\Returns for Giles.