ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608290097
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-14 NEIGHBORS EDITION: METRO
TYPE: PREP FOOTBALL
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
In the past eight years, only William Fleming under Sherley Stuart and Patrick Henry under Ed Scott have been able to interrupt Pulaski County's reign as undisputed Roanoke Valley District football champion.
During that span, the Cougars have won five titles outright, shared two and been to the state playoffs seven times. Pulaski County has lost only three district games, and Fleming, which shared the 1988 crown with Pulaski County, was the only other undisputed champion of the RVD when it won the title in 1990.
When PH knocked off the Cougars 26-21 to share the crown last fall, it showed the program that produced a 1993 Group AAA Division 6 championship might be human. (The 1994 team was second in the state, and had it not been for a key injury to Eric Webb likely would have repeated as the best in Virginia in its division.)
Despite not making it out of the Northwest Region playoffs last year, the Cougars still are the choice to win the RVD. This time, however, there appear to be as many as three teams ready to challenge Pulaski County.
Which team will pose the strongest threat? Probably Patrick Henry.
While PH lost a lot of talent from last year's team, Scott has two great juniors on defense in linebacker Mike Stevens and end Devon ``Boo'' Battle, who competed for Timesland's defensive Sizzlin' Sophomore award that went to Stevens.
``We have two capable and good quarterbacks,'' said Scott, who never has shied away from splitting the quarterback duties.
One of those two quarterbacks is Battle, who also will be a leader on defense, which is a lot to ask of a player at the Group AAA level. The other is senior Dennis Dunnaville.
``We have speed at running back - probably the two fastest in the district if you go by track speed,'' Scott said of James Hickenbotham and Shaun Akers, who will play fullback and be a key blocker.
``I think this is the toughest schedule we've played since I've been here,'' Scott added. ``Of the 10 teams, six have either been state champions or in the state championship game in the 1990s.''
If PH isn't the team to challenge Pulaski County's dominance, it could be William Fleming. The Colonels welcome back Charles Burnette at quarterback and defensive back. Burnette is considered one of the top returning players in Timesland on defense.
Burnette's ability to pass might help keep defenses from keying on Lee Suggs, an All-Timesland running back as the Sizzlin' Sophomore offensive player of the year in 1995.
``We're bigger, stronger and more mature,'' said Fleming's George Miller, who starts his second year as head coach. ``We're playing with a lot more confidence.
``I know on a given night, a given team can beat anyone else. I know we don't have any breathers on our schedule.''
This year, Suggs is a known quantity. Last year, he was Timesland's surprise and a delight to watch as he ground out the yardage.
``He won't sneak up on anybody, but he's bigger and faster,'' Miller said.
The Fleming coach was unable to find a quarterback who would allow him to return Burnette to wide receiver, where Burnette starred as a sophomore.
``Leaving Charles at quarterback will help us,'' Miller said. ``He's playing with far more confidence and he knows what he's doing. Last year, it was a new position for him.''
Burnette will throw to Richard Wilson, a teammate on the basketball team that went to Group AAA semifinals with both as starters.
Franklin County also could be tough as coach Horace Green, starting his fifth year, welcomes back more returning regulars than any other team in the district. Henry Eggleston is back at running back, and Josh Gibson, Jonathan Meador, Bruce Cobbs and Jamie Dunn give the Eagles a tremendous defensive front.
Franklin County is making the sacrifices necessary to win, especially Gibson, who moves from the glamour position of tight end to the anonymous position of center.
``He's a smart kid. His father [Benny, now the school's principal] coached [football] here and we needed a center,'' Green said. ``We talked to Josh and he was willing to go anywhere we needed him.''
With 48 players on the varsity roster, Green hopes this is the year the Eagles start winning.
``We have the size and speed,'' Green said. ``We have to get the mental attitude.''
Only Cave Spring appears to be incapable of challenging the Cougars for the top spot. The Knights have only one returning starter, lineman Matt Berger, on offense other than kicker Jud Poulter.
Cave Spring does have a savvy quarterback in junior Corey Paxton, who stepped in for one game and led an upset of RVD co-champion Patrick Henry last year.
``He got thrown into a difficult situation. It's hard to say that made all the difference, for he was very successful on a junior varsity level,'' said Steve Spangler, the Knights' coach. ``But he responded in a very positive manner, and that's propelled him into a leadership role this season.''
If Pulaski County hangs on, it will be largely because of quarterback and defensive back Ron Branch, who is considered a major-college prospect, and linebacker Ryan Brockmeyer, who ranked third among Timesland tacklers last year.
The Cougars also have one other big advantage in that Fleming and PH must play in Dublin. In the past eight years, Pulaski County has lost only one RVD game at home - 7-0 to Fleming in 1990.
Projected order of finish:1, Pulaski County; 2, Patrick Henry; 3, William Fleming; 4, Franklin County; 5, Cave Spring.
CAVE SPRING
1995 record: 7-4 overall, 2-2 (third in Roanoke Valley District).
Coach: Steve Spangler, fifth year.
Returning starters: Matt Berger, Jr., OL-DL, 6-2, 225; Josh Dowdy, Sr., LB (also FB), 6-0, 215; Travis Cooper, Sr., CB (also WR), 6-0, 170; Jud Poulter, Sr., K-P, (also DL), 6-1, 215.
Other key players: Corey Paxton, Jr., QB, 6-1, 160; Darnell Glover, Jr., WR-DE, 6-3, 195; Patrick Connelly, Jr., LB, 5-8, 160; Greg Wells, Jr., RB-LB, 5-11, 180; Joe Mullins, Jr., WR, 6-0, 170; Brad Nichols, Soph., RB, 5-8, 175; Aaron Williams, Jr., LB-FB, 6-4, 235.
Major losses:Jeff Lang, QB-DB, 6-0, 180; Billy Frantz, WR-DB, 6-3, 180; Nathan Manning, LB-WR, 6-1, 210; Jason Fox, TB, 5-9, 170; Robert Hale, FB, 5-10, 200; Jimmy Fusco, OL-DE, 6-2, 235; Mike Mitchem, OL-DL, 6-3, 270; Jon Poff, DE-G, 5-11, 195; Jon Guilliams, LB, 5-7, 170.
Outlook: Cave Spring is the most inexperienced team in the RVD and faces a rebuilding campaign. To make matters worse, the Knights' schedule is tougher than it was the past two years. Still, Cave Spring's program is much stronger than it was three years ago, when it faced a similar scenario and went 0-10, something that isn't likely to happen this fall.
1996 SCHEDULE
Friday, at Northside, 7:30 p.m.
Sept.6, at Jefferson Forest, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Blacksburg, 7:30 p.m.; 20, Salem, 7:30 p.m.; 27, E.C. Glass-Lynchburg.
Oct.4, Franklin County, 7:30 p.m.; 18, at Patrick Henry (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.; 25, at William Fleming (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.;
Nov.1, at Halifax County, 7:30 p.m.; 8, Pulaski County, 8 p.m.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
1995 record: 3-7, 1-3 (tied for fourth).
Coach: Horace Green, fifth year.
Returning starters: Bruce Cobbs, Sr., DT, 5-6, 260; Jamie Dunn, Sr., DT, 5-11, 220; Jonathan Meador, Jr., K-DE (also OT), 6-2, 212; Josh Gibson, Sr., LB-TE (moves to C), 6-1, 230; Henry Eggleston, Jr., DB-RB, 6-1, 167; Tommy Wimmer, Sr., DB (also WR), 5-10, 151; Bill Dixon, Jr., OT, 6-4, 251; Anthony Patterson, Jr., G, 5-7, 244; Bradley Jordan, Sr., FB (also LB), 5-9, 200; Brandon Smith, Sr., RB, 5-9, 162; Matt Maxey, Jr., K, 5-7, 154.
Other key players: Jamie Tuck, Jr., QB, 5-11, 175; Jim Dillon, Jr., LB, 6-3, 175; Steve Opetaia-Williamson, Jr., RB, 5-10, 175.
Major losses: Brian Gilreath, C-LB, 5-9, 193; K.C. Hancock, DB, 6-1, 169; Gray Hodges, QB-DB, 6-0, 149; Willie Arrington, OL, 6-0, 272; Heywood Dunlap, OL-DL, 5-11, 202.
Outlook: This should be the strongest Franklin County team since Green arrived. Whether the Eagles are ready to move into title contention remains to be seen, but everything is in place for a good year. There are a number of veteran players, and the schedule - minus George Washington-Danville and E.C. Glass - is more realistic.
1996 SCHEDULE
Friday, Laurel Park, 7:30 p.m.
Sept.6, Magna Vista, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Heritage-Lynchburg, 7:30 p.m.; 20, at Lord Botetourt, 7:30 p.m.; 27, At Amherst County, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.4, at Cave Spring, 8 p.m.; 11, Pulaski County, 7:30 p.m.; 18, at Halifax County, 7:30 p.m.; 25, Patrick Henry, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.1, at William Fleming (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
PATRICK HENRY
1995 record: 6-4, 3-1 (RVD co-champions).
Coach: Ed Scott, seventh year.
Returning starters: Dennis Dunnaville, Sr., QB-DB, 5-9, 170; James Hickenbotham, Jr., RB, (also DB), 5-10, 160; Shaun Akers, Sr., DB-RB (moves to FB), 5-11, 175; Brent Reedy, Sr., C, 5-9, 185; Tiran Stewart, Sr., G (also DT), 6-3, 265; Jonathan Helms, Jr., OT (also DT), 6-4, 240; Jerome Cook, Jr., TE, 6-1, 220; Mike Stevens, Jr., LB, 6-0, 210; Devon ``Boo'' Battle, Jr., DE (also QB), 6-4, 210; Drew Dickinson, Sr., DE, 5-11, 175.
Other key players: Gus Joseph, Sr., LB-K, 5-9, 165; Josh Newsome, Jr., OL, 6-5, 275; Steven Patsell, Jr., G, 6-0, 215; Chad Giles, Jr., WR-DB, 5-8, 145.
Major losses: Raheem Barnwell, QB, 6-0, 160; Dan Ankoma, RB, 5-10, 215; T.J. Tate, OL-DL, 5-9, 225; Nick Saunders, WR-DB, 5-7, 160.
Outlook: Patrick Henry has a veteran team that seems to have turned the corner and is ready to be a perennial contender in the RVD race. The Patriots have had winning records for three consecutive years. Even stronger evidence that the program is solid came last year, when PH beat perennial RVD power Pulaski County 26-21. It was the Patriots' first victory over the Cougars since 1985.
1996 SCHEDULE
Friday, Jefferson Forest (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
Sept.13, at Albemarle, 6:30 p.m.; 20, at GW-Danville, 7:30 p.m.; 27, Halifax County (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
Oct.4, at E.C. Glass-Lynchburg (City Stadium), 7:30 p.m.; 11, Amherst County (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.; 18, Cave Spring (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.; 25, at Franklin County, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.1, at Pulaski County , 7:30 p.m.; 8, William Fleming (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
PULASKI COUNTY
1995 record: 8-4, 3-1 (RVD co-champions).
Coach: Joel Hicks, 18th year.
Returning starters: Ronald Branch, Sr., QB, (also DB), 6-3, 183; Craig Hodge, Jr., WB (will move to FB, also DB), 5-10, 186; Brian Dalton, Sr., OT-DT, 6-3, 304; Jonathan Gilbert, Sr., DT, 5-10, 250; Mike Coleman, Sr., DE (also WB), 6-0, 250; Ryan Brockmeyer, Sr., LB (also TB), 5-11, 205; J.R. Brown, Sr., DB, 6-0, 155; Jabbar Patterson, Sr., SE, 6-2, 173.
Other key players:Daniel Hall, Jr., DT, 6-3, 213; Matt Price, Sr., DE, 6-2, 201; Randy Queen, Jr., DB, 5-10, 155; Nick Yates, Jr., RB, 5-5, 135; Bucky Seagle, Sr., SE, 5-11, 163.
Major losses: Shayne Graham, P-K, 6-0,170; Jawan Clark, FB, 5-11, 175; Derrick Hunter, TB, 5-10, 160; Brian Queen, C, 5-11, 210; Jay James, OT, 6-1, 227; Roland Donithan, OT, 6-1, 230, 6-2, 228; Matt Hull, DE, 6-0, 235; Kevin Phillips, G, 5-11, 201.
Outlook:After tying Patrick Henry for the RVD title and going out of the Group AAA Division 5 playoffs in a second-round loss to E.C. Glass, the Cougars hope to rejoin the ranks of the state's elite. There are not many returning starters, and Pulaski County faces one of its most demanding schedules. However, the Cougars entered the 1993 season under similar circumstances and wound up winning a state championship.
1996 SCHEDULE
Friday, Good Council, Md., 7:30 p.m.
Sept.6, at Amherst County, 7:30 p.m.; 13, at Salem, 7:30 p.m.; 20, Anacostia (Washington, D.C.), 7:30 p.m; 27, Science Hill (Johnson City, Tenn.), 7:30 p.m.
Oct.4, Woodson (D.C.), 7:30 p.m.; 11, at Franklin County, 7:30 p.m.; 18, William Fleming, 7:30 p.m.
Nov.1, Patrick Henry, 7:30 p.m.; 8, at Cave Spring, 7:30 p.m.
WILLIAM FLEMING
1995 record: 4-6, 1-3 (tied for fourth).
Coach:George Miller, second year.
Returning starters: Patrick McGeorge, Sr., C, 5-10, 185; Dequon Mayo, Sr., G (also DE), 6-1, 220; Shakir Majied, Jr., OT-DT, 6-3, 235; Lee Suggs, Jr., RB, 6-1, 190; Charles Burnette, Sr., QB-DB, 6-3, 185; J.R. Word, Jr., FB, 5-10, 225; Richard Wilson, Sr., WR-DB, 5-9, 160; Derrick Ruben, Jr., NG, 6-1, 230; Josh Taylor, Sr., MLB, 6-1, 195; Tito Stone, Jr., LB, 6-1, 205; Joe Brown, Sr., CB (moves to DE), 5-10, 180.
Other key players Doug Taborn, Jr., WR-CB, 6-0, 150; Eugene Smith, Sr., OL-DL, 6-1, 255; Josh Berry, Jr., LB, 5-11, 180; Demare Gill, Jr., TB-LB, 5-11, 185; Mike King, Soph., TE-DE, 6-3, 185; Everett Watson, Jr., OL-DL, 5-11, 245.
Major losses: Ricardo Gill, OT-DT, 6-1, 245; Matt Grogan, LB, 6-0, 225; Waris Wade, WR-DE, 6-2, 180; Garrett Lancaster, P-K, 5-6, 145; Quinton Harrington, OT-DE, 6-3, 215; Corey Poindexter, TE-DE, 6-0, 195; Andre Rhodes, RB-LB, 5-7, 158; Eric Jackson, WR, 6-1, 175.
Outlook: William Fleming hopes to turn the corner and post its first winning record since 1992, when the Colonels went 6-5. Fleming has enough talent to contend for the title, but must play at Pulaski County, a team Fleming hasn't beaten since the Colonels won 7-0 in Dublin in 1990. The Colonels also won their last RVD title in 1990, when they held four other league opponents to one field goal.
1996 SCHEDULE
Friday, at Amherst County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept.6, at Petersburg, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Halifax County (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.; 20, E.C. Glass (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.; 27, at GW-Danville, 7:30 p.m.
Oct.4, Albemarle (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.; 18, at Pulaski County, 7:30 p.m.; 25, Cave Spring (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
Nov.1, Franklin County (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.; 8, at Patrick Henry (Victory Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
LENGTH: Long : 247 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Don Petersen. Two of the players William Flemingby CNBoffensive coach Roland Lovelace will be counting on to carry the
load for the Colonels this year are quarterback Charles Burnette
(left) and receiver Richard Wilson. color.