THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994 TAG: 9408240114
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: N4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: FOOTBALL SPECIAL '94
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
Bert Harrell recalls being in a conversation with what amounted to a total stranger last year when the Eastern Region's master football schedule came out.
``The guy looked at our schedule and said, `Who in the heck is the athletic director at Lake Taylor? He must be stupid,' '' said Harrell, athletic director and head football coach at Norfolk's high school by the highway.
``I told him I was the AD and I had no choice.''
Lake Taylor's six out-of-district opponents finished a combined 37-26 last season.
This year's schedule has the Titans facing Southeastern District powers Indian River, Deep Creek, Churchland and Western Branch in a five-week span.
If the prospects scare Harrell, he isn't showing it.
``We've got some real potential this season,'' Harrell said. ``We've got something we haven't had in a long time: size. We can put a big team out there if we need to. But that's not our style. We like to stunt and gamble too much.''
It's not a stunt that Harrell's pulling when he says 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior Mario Elliott will be his starting quarterback. And Harrell said that after the way Elliott performed in a 7-on-7 passing league this summer, it's no gamble either.
Elliott was a first-team all-district selection at safety as a freshman. One of Lake Taylor's lone bright spots in their most recent playoff appearance was Elliott's two interceptions against Allen Iverson in Bethel's 25-7 Eastern Region semifinal victory in 1992.
Two years later Elliott finds himself at Lake Taylor's offensive controls.
``We would have played him at quarterback last year, but he injured his shoulder,'' Harrell said. ``He is raw talent-wise, but I'd have to go a ways back to find one in Norfolk I thought was better.
``We just need to teach him how to take a little off some of his passes. He's been knocking guys down on quick-out routes. We're definitely going to throw it more.''
When the Titans throw, it will likely be to speedster Reggie Hawkins, who either took time out from basketball or got lost on his way to the blacktop. Other prime targets should be split end Brian Kelley and tight ends Mike West and Darnell Whitaker.
Still, let's not get ahead of ourselves. This is, remember, Lake Taylor, where the first, second and third options are run, run and run.
Richard Johnson, who ran for 482 yards last year and was second man to Dink Hodges, will be the main man for the Titans this time around. And in Lake Taylor's scheme, he should be a 1,000-yard man. Other contributing backs should include Keyoki Wilson and freshman Ronyell Whitaker.
They will run behind a wall made up of Carlos Harper, Ben Cuffee, Brad Vera, Brian Locklear and Jason Dixon. It is a quick line which will allow the Titans to run their usual array of traps and counters.
Defensively, Harrell says the Titans could be better than a year ago, which says a lot. The Titans were ranked third in South Hampton Roads last year defensively behind eventual state champion Norcom and state semifinalist Indian River, allowing only 189 yards per game.
``We return most of the people responsible for that and we'll be much better in the secondary,'' Harrell said. ``People were able to throw the ball against us at times last year.''
This time, Harrell says having Elliott, Kelley, Wilson and Johnson in the secondary should thwart any previous problems.
Up front will be Locklear, Harper and Johnny Williams. Darnell Whitaker and Allan Hyman allow the Titans bookend 6-4 defensive ends, while Alvin Sparrow and LePortre Jasper seem to have the inside track on the inside linebacker position.
As for the schedule, Harrell was only disappointed in one aspect: For the first time in 27 years, the Titans won't play Kempsville, which with the addition of Ocean Lakes in the Beach District had to cut out a non-district game.
``So instead we pick up Indian River, which went 11-2 last year,'' Harrell said with a laugh. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Richard Johnson will be the Titans' main man in the backfield this
year. Others handling the ball will be Keyoki Wilson and freshman
Ronyell Whitaker.
Photos
Brian Locklear
He's an iron man of a lineman
Carlos Harper
He'll play both ways
by CNB