ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 6, 1996 TAG: 9612060011
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PEARISBURG
SOURCE: BILL RAY STAFF WRITER
Ask most fans to identify the most crucial position on a football team, they would probably say quarterback, running back, or possibly wide receiver.
But ask the same question of a coach, and without hesitation he would say it is the boys in the trenches - the line.
Case in point: The Giles High's Spartans, who will play for their second Group A, Division 2 state championship (and third state football championship overall) against Powhatan at 1:30 Saturday at Midlothian High outside Richmond.
The Spartans' most recognizable distinction is their mastery of the rare single-wing offense. Yet according to coach Steve Ragsdale the key to the Spartans 12-0 season has been their defensive line.
This was especially apparent in last weekend's rain-soaked 14-7 victory over two-time defending state champion Powell Valley, which had been potent offensively throughout the season.
"I attribute us shutting [Powell Valley] down to two things," Ragsdale said. "One, it is hard to do anything in those weather conditions; and two, our line certainly played well after giving up one big run."
The Giles interior line has been a rotation of four players; none is of much more than average size.
"Every team we have played has been much bigger than us on the line," Ragsdale said. "We are very quick. That is the line's most obvious trait. They also pick up on things pretty well, especially Chris Ruth."
Ruth, a 200-pound senior and a three-year starter, is the biggest and most experienced of the four. Joining him on the line are fellow seniors Timmy Sutphin at noseguard and the tandem of Olaah Perry and Roger Simpkins. Simpkins, the only offensive player among the four, is platooned at tackle. When he goes out, Perry comes in to play noseguard and Sutphin slides over to tackle.
"The big thing is that we are quick," Ruth said. "Since we aren't very big, we just have to be faster."
That speed will come in handy this weekend against Powhatan, which has perhaps the biggest offensive line the Spartans have met this year.
"I think Patrick Henry was probably the best blocking line we saw this year," Ruth said. "But we have seen some video of Powhatan and they are the biggest line we have seen this year."
Giles will counter with fresh legs, an advantage it has exploited all year, line coach Rusty Kelley said.
"I think a big thing all season is that Perry, Sutphin and Ruth don't play offense," Kelley said. "In practice they get to go up against our first team offense, which blocks pretty well. I don't think they will see much better than that on Friday nights or Saturday afternoons."
This does present a problem of sorts for the team at times, however. Kelley said that the defensive line is so good and so familiar with the Giles offense, that it makes running their offense almost impossible in practice. But he believes this tough competition in practice will pay off come game time.
"Powhatan is a big line," Kelley said, "but it looks like they do some stunting that should give us an opportunity to get some penetration with our quickness."
Nobody is anticipating the coming championship clash with more eagerness than the defensive linemen.
"Around here, football is everything," Sutphin said. "We are just expected to do good. Football is what gives us pride in Giles High School."
The Giles Spartans play at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Midlothian High School outside Richmond. For more preview coverage, see inside today's Current. For game coverage, see the Sunday Sports section. For sideline scene coverage, see Tuesday's New River Current.
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: GENE DALTON/Staff. The Giles defensive line will haveby CNBits hands full Saturday with the Powhatan offensive line, possibly
the biggest they've faced this year. Last week, the defense shut
down Powell Valley (above) to advance to the championship. color.