ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 26, 1996 TAG: 9609260026
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: high school sports
DATELINE: SHAWSVILLE
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
The symbolism is as vivid as the school colors of sky blue and adobe orange.
A hill, stretching to the sky, can be seen easily from anywhere on the Shawsville High School football practice field. The ruts that follow the slope upward, like so many wagon tracks to the new frontier, are readily apparent now and seem certain to grow deeper.
The property is part of an estate known locally as the Givens Farm. That hill no doubt has nourished its share of livestock through the years. Now, it nourishes the local high school football team, which is as short on numbers as it is long on self-confidence.
When you're only 18 varsity players strong, it is comforting to believe you're physically fit enough to rule the fourth quarter.
Darrell Sutherland, as sincere and spiritual a coach as can be found, paused briefly one day at a brilliantly sunlit practice session and looked fondly at the steeply sloping hill where his football team works on its uphill footwork.
``I'll tell you what kind of team we have here,'' he said. ``These players have asked to run that `mountain,' as we call it, every week so that they can get better.''
It must seem as if Shawsville always is looking uphill, at least as far as football is concerned. That's the way it is at one of the smallest football-playing schools in the state. Actually, it's one of the smallest football-playing schools anywhere this side of the Texas prairie.
Small school, big school, only the highly motivated actually would volunteer to do something like run the hill - make that mountain - on the Givens Farm. These Shawnees are motivated. All 18 of them.
``We've seen how much running the mountain has helped us in the games,'' said running back Anthony (Don't Call Me Tony) Creasey. ``The other team is walking to the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter and we're still fresh.''
One thing about being on a team with a short roster: You get to play a lot of football. Chris Graham would play a lot of football on any high school team. At Shawsville, he serves at quarterback and safety.
Graham is your basic throw-it, run-it, catch-it, see-it, do-it, hit-it guy. He's a good reason for Shawnees hopes to be higher than they've been in many, many seasons.
Graham threw for more than 1,200 yards last year and managed to stay in one piece as Shawsville went 2-8.
It was during the course of that campaign that Sutherland saw hope and subsequently conveyed same to his team. Armed with a new self-confidence, the Shawnees started this season by handing Roanoke Catholic and its sensational running back, P.J. Moyer, their only loss, 14-12. Shawsville then trounced Craig County 27-0. Bland County dampened the mood and spoiled a little of the fun by winning 41-20 on Friday. Coming back from defeat is something Shawsville has had practice at through the years.
Spirits figure to stay high no matter what. Creasey, who looks like a bespectacled young scholar when he has his headgear off and his wire rims on, has been a good running back in his first year as a starter there. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds with decent speed, Creasey can pack a load.
Graham, 6-3, 185-pounder, threw for 165 yards against Roanoke Catholic and 137 in the Craig County game.
``He's more confident than he ever has been,'' Sutherland said. ``He makes a lot of good decisions. We ask him to do a lot of reading and he's gotten to be very proficient at it.''
But there is more to Graham.
``If anything, he might even be as good a defensive player,'' Sutherland said. How good? ``Ah, I wouldn't want to be hit by him.''
One of the main targets the Shawnees have taken aim at is the perception they're outgunned.
``People who say that we're long shots aren't out here on this practice field with us to see how hard this football team works,'' Graham said.
As with many good teams, the real labor lovers can be found up front. The line, particularly the full-timers (the Shawnees platoon at right tackle) such as sophomore center Ryan Childress, 6-1, 250-pound guard Ben Jones, guard Chris Wimmer and tackle Josh Boone, has been the foundation of whatever offensive success Shawsville has had.
``It's the heart of our team,'' Sutherland said.
The coach offered hosannas to his assistant coaches, Mike Blevins, John DeWeese, Craig Hixon, Claude Miles and Jeff Maynard.
Sutherland counts his blessings that his assistants can fill out a full defensive unit for the purposes of a dress rehearsal, the playing Shawnees being too few to stage a rightful scrimmage.
Some things you can't coach. At Shawsville, as anywhere else, there is no substitute for ability.
``We have a more talented team than we've had here,'' Sutherland said. ``This is also the most hard-working team we've had. There's a ton of heart here. That ultimately will be the biggest contributor to the success we have.''
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: RAY COX/Staff. Chris Graham is your basic throw-it,by CNBrun-it, catch-it, see-it, do-it, hit-it guy. He's a good reason for
Shawsville's hopes to be higher than they've been in many, many
seasons. color.