THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994 TAG: 9408240215
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: N10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: FOOTBALL SPECIAL '94
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Despite losing 10 starters from last year's 7-2 campaign, the Catholic High football team should still be considered a threat - thanks to senior quarterback Jimmy Whitehead, an all-state selection and three-year starter for the Crusaders.
Whitehead is the kind of player most coaches would love to build a team around. He stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 200 pounds. He runs. He passes. He can do it all.
``Jimmy can pass. He's not just a thrower. He has touch,'' coach John O'Hara said. ``He could play for anybody in the area.''
In 1993, Whitehead threw for 1,330 yards and 17 touchdowns in nine games. It was his second season of more than 1,000 yards passing. He is equally dangerous running the option out of Catholic's I-formation attack. He already has received letters of interest from Nebraska, Michigan and Virginia, among others.
The Crusaders sometimes split their running backs in a T attack. O'Hara plans to throw the ball 20 or 30 times a game, and those running backs often will be Whitehead's targets.
Catholic will stick with six-man and five-man fronts on defense.
``Our opponents run more than they pass. At least, they did last year,'' O'Hara said.
Despite the graduation losses, the Crusaders have eight returning lettermen besides Whitehead. Wide receivers Sean Bartold and Mike Holdcroft will be the targets of many of Whitehead's passes. O'Hara called them ``our go-to guys.''
``Both played a lot behind the starters last season and started on defense,'' O'Hara said.
The line has some size and experience. Nat Falcone (6-2, 290) anchors the line at center. Flanking him are John Rogers (6-3, 220), Phil White (6-0, 250) and Tom Juskevich (5-10, 175) - a sophomore who started last year as a freshman.
Senior Mac Smith (5-9, 175) earned a letter in 1993 as a fullback. Byron Whitehead, the third family member of the Whitehead-Catholic football triumvirate, lettered at tight end.
This is O'Hara's 25th year at the school - his 12th as head coach of the football team. He also serves as athletic director.
Assistant coach James Whitehead coaches his son Jimmy and the other QBs and running backs. David Stubbs handles the receivers.
Of the 38 players who showed up for the opening practice, 28 are freshmen and sophomores. The 38 players will fill slots on the varsity and the junior varsity.
``It's too early to tell if any of the new kids are going to help us right away,'' O'Hara said as he left the field after the initial morning practice. ``It looks like a rebuilding year more than anything else.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Catholic High quarterback Jimmy Whitehead, a three-year starter for
the Crusaders and an all-state selection, threw for 1,330 yards in
1993.
Photos
Sean Bartold
Top target at wide receiver
Nat Falcone
He anchors the line at center
by CNB