ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 12, 1996 TAG: 9612120043
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
Bob Gray used an unorthodox method, but he turned Staunton River's football team from a doormat to a winner this year.
The Golden Eagles, who previously had only one winning season in their history, did a complete reversal under Gray to go 10-2 and earn their first-ever spot in the postseason playoffs.
Gray used players only one way in this era of two-platoon football and it worked. Because of his success, Gray is the Associated Press' Group AA coach of the year. Running back Brock Johnson of Stuarts Draft in the Group AA player of the year.
The Group AA first team also includes offensive tackle Travis Miles and linebacker Jeff Akers of Group AA Division 4 champion Salem.
Four other Timesland players made the first team: Lord Botetourt running back Wesley Cox; Martinsville defensive back Leander Preston and kicker Jess Wade; and Bassett defensive lineman John Miller. (Complete All-Group AA team in Scoreboard. B2)
Two more Spartans - guard Pierce Weikle and defensive back Ricky Eubanks - are on the second team. Staunton River's Jarrett Ferguson (running back), Magna Vista's David Bass (center), Blacksburg's Michael Davis (linebacker) and Fieldale-Collinsville's Kevin Franklin (kick returner) are the other Timesland second-team choices on a team that was picked by a panel of sportswriters.
Gray, in his third year at Staunton River, led the Golden Eagles to a win over Brookville in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Salem in the Region III Division 4 championship game 27-3.
``In three years, we've played 22 players each season. We've seen the benefits and the biggest one is that we've gotten numbers [of students] out for the team. As the numbers increase, the talent pool increases,'' Gray said.
Akers led a Salem defense that gave up only two touchdowns in four playoff games. Miles was one of a number of strong linemen for a Spartans team that produced nearly 5,000 yards total offense in 14 games despite not having a dominant star.
Cox rushed for more than 2,000 yards in leading Lord Botetourt to an 8-3 overall record and a berth in the Region III Division 4 playoffs where they were knocked off by Staunton River.
In Virginia High School League history, only Tabb's Terry Kirby and Powell Valley's Thomas Jones have gained more yards rushing than Johnson.
Johnson ran for 2,353 yards and 30 touchdowns during the regular season. He gained another 446 yards in the playoffs, scored four more times and finished his career with 6,669 yards and 70 TDs.
Kirby, now with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, carried for 7,428 yards in his career at Tabb. Jones, who capped his career with recognition as the state Group A player of the year in 1995, now plays at Virginia.
Johnson also was a force when the other team had possession. He made 71 tackles, intercepted three passes, forced two fumbles and recovered two. He also returned four punts for a 27-yard average and brought back seven kickoffs an average of 24 yards.
Two players gained first-team recognition at more than one position.
Kent Schoolfield of Harrisonburg was picked at receiver, where he caught 35 passes for 805 yards and 11 TDs, and at kick returner, where he scored on two kickoff returns, one punt return and had three TD returns called back.
Chad Beasley of Gate City was picked at guard and defensive line.
In addition to Cox, the first-team offense features quarterback Kelley Washington of Sherando; running back Trell Parker of James Monroe and receiver Billy Baber of Western Albemarle.
Washington threw for more than 1,100 yards and 13 TDs in the regular season. Parker gained 1,945 yards and scored 30 times and Baber caught 29 passes for 595 yards and nine scores.
The line also has Myrone Rawlings of Southampton, Branch Echols of Loudoun County, and R.C. Griffin of James Monroe.
Joining Beasley on the defensive line are Bobby McCauley of Harrisonburg, Daniel Wiggins of Greensville County and John Miller of Bassett.
Ben Doyle of Stuarts Draft and Luke Owens of Grundy - the only juniors on the first team - are joined at linebacker by Akers and Brandon Calhoun of Tabb.
The secondary has Preston, Adam Braithwaite of Handley and Jeff Woody of Brookville.
Punter Philip Maniscalco of James Monroe averaged 43.5 yards on his kicks.
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshots) 1. Gray. color. 2. Cox.by CNB