THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994 TAG: 9408240123
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: N9 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: FOOTBALL SPECIAL '94
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, COMPASS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 108 lines
The Norfolk Academy Bulldogs arrived at practice with the usual preseason enthusiasm, only to find that they would be without the services of their starting quarterback.
All-Prep League quarterback and strong safety Mike Beverly transferred to Booker T. Washington prior to the start of practice, leaving a hole in the offense and a lot of stunned teammates.
``We were shocked,'' senior offensive tackle Luke Constantinides said. ``That hurt us a lot, not just on the field, but we were all friends. I was looking forward to seeing him when school started.''
Junior defensive back Drew McKnight will be taking the snaps this year, something he hasn't done since the eighth grade.
``He has learned a lot of offense in a few days,'' head coach Tom York said. ``I think the kids really respect him.''
The Bulldogs seem to have used this turn of events to pull closer together.
``Two years ago, we had a lot of really good players,'' Constantinides said of the 8-1 team. ``Even though we were a really good team, we weren't really a unit.''
``Last year, with injuries and stuff, a lot of young players had to step in and really help out, and I think that really pulled us together as a team,'' senior linebacker Chris Ripley added. ``It's not like there is a group of seniors over here and then everyone else. We all hang out together. We are all really good friends.''
One of the less experienced players who had to step in last year was running back D.A. Taylor, who took over the starting tailback spot when his brother, Damien, was sidelined with a broken collarbone in the second game of the season.
D.A. turned in an All-Prep League performance, rushing for more than 1,400 yards as a sophomore.
This year, Damien, now a senior, has returned to the starting spot.
``I was amazed,'' Damien said of his younger brother. ``He was getting like 170 and 180 yards a game, and he also played defense and punt returner, so he never got a break.
``I didn't play the full way until the final game last year,'' added Damien, who has been clocked at 4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash. ``I really only had three healthy games, so I'm pretty hungry.''
Hungriest of all, though, may be Ripley, who has the utmost confidence in this team, provided everyone avoids ``stupid'' injuries.
Ripley also suffered a broken collarbone last year, but he sheepishly admitted it was in an offseason biking accident.
``There were no stupid summer injuries like that this year,'' Ripley said.
He also has been a part of the line shuffling that moved Constantinides from fullback to offensive tackle and has Ripley playing offensive line as well as defense.
``You have to understand I hate offense,'' Ripley said. ``But I'm really learning from it.''
He may hate offense, but Ripley isn't shying away from trying to make it happen.
``Last year, we used more up-the-middle power,'' Ripley said. ``Now we are going open up the offense, and my job is to make room for the receivers and runners to run.''
``I think it will make him more aware on defense of what can happen,'' Constantinides said.
Of his move to tackle he added: ``I didn't look too highly on it. But I'm starting to enjoy it. You get used to it, and if it's going to help the team, I figure I can handle this. I want to be able to step in and be a leader on the line.''
With the speed and depth of a backfield that includes the Taylors and Hannon Wright at running back, Russell Carter at flanker, Hunter Sims at tight end and a quarterback who is learning quickly, the Bulldogs, who were 6-3-1 (4-1-1 district) last season, are putting the rest of the Prep League on notice.
The usual foes stand in their way - Fork Union and Woodberry Forest.
``Fork Union is always good,'' said York, who is entering his sixth year at Norfolk Academy. ``Woodberry will be good too. They will be very difficult. We all have the same sort of talent with exceptional backfields. This is the most talented backfield I've ever worked with here.
``We have good leaders. The kids trained and have been in the weight room all summer.''
Fork Union did lose a lot of seniors, but that has never made a difference before, and no one expects it to this year. The Bulldogs gained a tie with Woodberry last year, but the biggest blow came when Bishop Ireton pounded them, 42-14, in their first game without Damien Taylor.
``The two to beat are Fork Union and Woodberry,'' Ripley said. ``We have Bishop Ireton on our schedule again, so obviously we can't ignore any of the TCIS teams. We aren't going to assume we can beat anybody, but I think if we can get by Fork Union . . .'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Junior quarterback Drew McKnight, left, and senior running back
Damien Taylor highlight what Norfolk Academy coach Tom York called
``the most talented backfield I've ever worked with here.''
Photos
D.A. Taylor
Backup ran for 1,400 yards
Chris Ripley
Linebacker now playing offensive line
by CNB