ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608290092
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEITH POMPEY STAFF WRITER
To say the Pioneer District has undergone a face lift would be an understatement.
Danny Dodson has replaced Greg Stick as Craig County's coach. Glenvar has moved to the Three Rivers District. And defending Group A Division 1 champion Bath County has lost starters at all but five spots.
As a result, James River, which went 11-19 during the past three seasons, could win the district.
``If we get good leadership on the field, we can play with anybody that's on our schedule,'' said coach Doug Ross, whose team went 7-3 last year and barely missed the playoffs.
Team leadership shouldn't be a problem. Of the 13 returning starters, 12 are seniors.
``All the guys have been looking for this season for a long time,'' said senior Travis Blankenship, remembering the consecutive 2-8 seasons of 1993 and '94. ``We have high expectations.''
Can you blame them?
The Knights have most of last season's offense back.
Leading the way are Blankenship, Brian Leflore and Billy Joe Carter.
Blankenship was a second-team All-Pioneer District quarterback in '95, when the 6-foot-1, 154-pounder threw for 773 yards and six touchdowns.
Leflore, an all-district flanker and kick returner last year, is the starting tailback. The 5-8, 143-pounder has chalked up 2,024 all-purpose yards during the past two seasons.
Carter, who plays fullback and linebacker, rushed for 307 yards and recorded 128 tackles last season.
And what about James River's heated rivalry with Glenvar, which has left for the Three Rivers District?
``Things will stay the same,'' Ross said. ``It doesn't make a difference that they left.''
Unlike Glenvar, Covington stayed and should battle for the district title. However, like last year, the Cougars must survive a tough early-season schedule.
``We've got the team [Mount Hope] that's picked to win the single-A title in West Virginia in the first game of the season,'' said John Woodzell, Covington's coach. ``Then we have to play [West Virginia] AAA school Greenbrier East. We've got to get through those games without injuries.''
The Cougars also must find a running back. The leading candidate is William Stewart.
``I think he will do pretty good,'' Woodzell said of Stewart. ``He won't be as fast or as quick as the ones we've had in the past. But right now, I feel he will do pretty well.''
The 5-9, 209-pound senior was better known as a fullback-nose guard. He hopes that will change this year.
``I am just trying to run hard every game,'' Stewart said of playing tailback. ``I am not going to tiptoe through the hole or anything like that. I am trying to get 5 or 6 yards a carry if I can.''
He'll get plenty of help. The Cougars welcome back offensive linemen David Armentrout, Joe Yancey and Chris Clark.
The defense is led by ends Matt Crawford and Courtney Wooding, tackle Shawn Simmons and back Tracey Walker.
Bath County has one major problem in defending its state title.
The Chargers lost 17 starters from that team. However, this team still could fare well in the district.
``We've got some real good-quality athletes on this team,'' said Steve Isaacs, Bath County's coach. ``I think when people look at our number of kids that graduated last year, they think we are going to be soft. I'm anxious to play those people. We want people to take us lightly. They will find out that we still have a good team.''
The Chargers are led by running backs Brandon Woodard and Chris Gwin. Both are coming off great state championship games.
Craig County will have a new coach in Dodson and a new offensive system. But the Rockets still don't have much depth.
Craig County, 0-10 last season, only has 33 players in the entire program - including the junior varsity.
Dodson can only hope to get more youngsters interested and build for the future.
Parry McCluer may be the biggest question mark in the district. Even second-year coach Charlie Wheeler doesn't know what to expect.
The Fighting Blues' 5-5 record a year ago was three victories better than in '94. However, this year's team is young and inexperienced.
Projected order of finish: 1, James River; 2, Bath County; 3, Covington; 4, Parry McCluer; 5, Craig County.
CRAIG COUNTY
1995 record: 0-10 overall, 0-5 Pioneer District.
Coach: Danny Dodson, first year.
Returning starters: Mike Kendall, FB-LB; Mike Fisher, QB-DE; Jason Howell, OT-DL; Stevie Huffman, G-DL; Whitney Huffman, RB-LB; Jarvis Pauley, RB-DB; Jake Cale, DB.
Other key players: Steve Hall, DB; Chad Kendall, OL-DL; Jamie Francisco, OL-DL; Brandon Rock, WR-DB; Joe Cargill, OL-DE.
Major losses: Casey Oyler, OT-LB, 6-1, 213; Jason Blankenship, RB-DB-KR, 5-10, 163; James Huffman, C-DT, 6-5, 238.
Outlook: The Rockets are a young, inexperienced team. Dodson has to begin rebuilding the program in his first season.
1996 SCHEDULE
Friday, Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.
Sept.6, at Auburn, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.; 27, Bland, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.4, at Circleville (W.Va.), 7:30 p.m.; 11, at Bath County, 7:30 p.m.; 18, at Covington, 7:30 p.m.; 25, Floyd County, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.1, Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.; 8, at James River, 7:30 p.m.
JAMES RIVER
1995 record:7-3, 3-2.
Coach: Doug Ross, 14th year.
Returning starters: Justin Rhodes, Sr., C, 5-11, 214; Chris Theimer, Sr., G-NG (moves to LB) , 5-11, 176; Eric Bridgen, Sr., OT, 6-4, 221; Luke Mason, Sr., OT, 6-3, 209; Travis Blankenship, Sr., QB-DB, 6-1, 154; Billy Joe Carter, Sr., FB-LB-K, 5-10, 215; Brian Leflore, Sr., RB-DB-P-KR, 5-8, 143; Jason Watts, Sr., DT, 5-9, 244; Anthony Burrell, Soph., NG (moves to LB) 5-11, 205; Jimmy Thompson, Jr., QB (moves to RB), 5-9, 167.
Other key players: Will Goad, Jr., WR-DB, 6-2, 178; Brandon Dooley, Jr., WR-DB, 5-11,146; B.J. Warf, Sr., WR-DB, 5-5, 134; J.R. Kitt, Jr., DE, 6-2, 157; Joel Cooper, Fr., RB-LB, 5-11, 170; Steve Reese, Jr., G-NG, 5-7, 177; Daniel Gunter, Soph., G-NG, 5-7, 177; Brian Dunbar, Soph., OT, 5-11, 311; Patrick Garrett, Soph., OT, 6-2, 229;
Major losses: Shahan Burrell, TB-LB, 6-1, 215; Johnny Burrell, OT-DT, 5-7, 265; Brian Shorter, DE, 6-0, 185; Freddie Johnson, RB, 5-8, 143; Jason Peery, WR-DB, 6-3, 156; Mark Whiting, NG-FB, 5-11, 170.
Outlook: The Knights have a great opportunity to win the district. Most of the offensive line and ball-handlers return, including All-Pioneer District performer Brian Leflore.
1996 SCHEDULE
Friday, at Floyd County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept.6, at Wilson Memorial-Fishersville, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 27, at Glenvar, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.4, Bath County, 7:30 p.m.; 11, Covington, 7:30 p.m.; 18, at Parry McCluer, 7:30 p.m.; 25, Shawsville, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.1, at Riverheads, 7:30 p.m.; 8, Craig County, 7:30 p.m.
LENGTH: Long : 133 lines KEYWORDS: PREP FOOTBALLby CNB