ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 31, 1996 TAG: 9612310085
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Roanoke Catholic's P.J. Moyer, Salem coach Willis White and Giles' Chris Ratcliffe were the headliners of all-state teams picked by the coaches in various private and public school divisions.
Moyer was a two-position pick on the Virginia Indedpendent Schools Division I All-State football team. White was named the Group AA Division 4 coach of the year by the Virginia High School Coaches' Association. Ratcliffe was the VHSCA's choice for Group A defensive player of the year.
Moyer, Timesland's No.2 all-time career rushing leader, was named first team by the VIS as a running back and punt returner.
The Celtics star was joined on the first team by North Cross offensive lineman Carter Lee. Second team choices from local VIS schools included North Cross' Carter Lee (running back) and Bill Pattisall (linebacker); and Roanoke Catholic's Chris Coulter (offensive line), Matt Peck (defensive line), Mark Buchy (linebacker) and Glenn Radcliffe (defensive back). Catholic quarterback Aki Al-Zubaidi was honorable mention.
Timesland's only first-team pick for the VHSCA All-Group AAA team was Pulaski County place-kicker Bryan Myers. Bryan Dalton (offensive tackle) and William Fleming's Richard Wilson (wideout) were second-team choices.
In the Group AA ranks, White was chosen Division 4 coach of the year after his team won the first state title in the school's history.
Salem also had three first team all-staters in offensive guard Pierce Weikle, offensive tackle Travis Miles and linebacker Jeff Akers. The only other Timesland first-team choice was Magna Vista linebacker Rodney Morris.
Second-team choices on the Group AA offense from Timesland included Magna Vista center David Bass, running backs Jarrett Ferguson (Staunton River) and Preston Travis (Magna Vista), William Byrd quarterback Frank English and Salem place-kicker Brett Gresham.
Making second-team All-Group AA defense were Christiansburg end Brian Griffith, Blacksburg linebacker Michael Davis and Martinsville back Leander Preston.
In the Group A ranks, Division 2 state runner-up Giles had three first-team selections. The Spartans were represented on offense by guard Jeremy Saunders, and on defense by lineman Chris Ruth and Ratcliffe. Rural Retreat running back Gene Fields was Timesland's only other first-team selection.
Making second team were Shawsville quarterback Chris Graham and James River defensive back Brian LeFlore.
All other players making first-team all region and not listed on the first or second team VHSCA teams were accorded honorable mention status.
LENGTH: Medium: 51 linesby CNB