THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 3, 1994 TAG: 9406020163
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Lee Tolliver
DATELINE: 940603 LENGTH: Medium
But in the last several years, it has been the South that has been winning the war - with Cox taking the Group AAA in 1990, Kempsville following in 1991 and 1992, and Salem taking a runner-up spot last season.
{REST} At times the battle has gotten ugly, with both players and fans exchanging brutal words.
This year, the weight of the Beach District is on the shoulders of the Falcons once again.
So far, Cox has responded well - taking a 2-1 victory over Northern Region champion South Lakes Tuesday on the Warriors' home field.
And once again, the territory was extremely hostile.
Understandably, Cox had only a few fans, but they did all they could to cheer on their squad.
That was all the help Cox got. Everything else, they worked for themselves. Northern Region officials failed to call a few blatant breakaway fouls that should have resulted in penalty kicks, and with Cox up and South Lakes making a last-ditch effort, the head official let the clock run to just at 50 minutes - 10 minutes more play than a half is supposed to be.
But in the end, none of that bothered the Falcons. They were going to the final four.
``We really turned it up a notch. . . . finally, '' Matt Wilbricht said. ``We started out strong and just had to stick with it.''
Part of the reason for the excellent team play, according to coach Jim Snodgrass, was the fact that the team spent the day together.
``We started off with an 8 a.m. breakfast and then we went and watched some game films,'' Snodgrass said. ``Then we rode up early in a couple of vans we rented from Beach Ford and spent the day relaxing at Fairfax Lake (Park).''
Probably the most relaxed Falcon was Scott Tesnow.
The senior spent part of the day fishing the shallow waters of the lake for bass.
``Caught a couple of fingerlings,'' Tesnow said with a smile. ``Nothing much, but at least I was there giving it a shot.''
Now Cox - the No. 13 team in the nation - has to again give its best shot of the season, facing Central Region champion Manchester at 6 p.m. at Hylton High.
``I think we're headed in the right direction,'' said Snodgrass, who shouted out `We did it, we did it' after the victory.
``We adapted well to the changes and played hard.''
by CNB