THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994 TAG: 9408250150
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOHN GORDON, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
WESTERN TIDEWATER'S high school football season officially kicks off Saturday afternoon when Atlantic Shores Christian of Chesapeake plays host to Isle of Wight Academy.
The exact time of the kickoff depends on your source. Atlantic Shores as the host team, which is supposed to determine the time, says it is at 1:30 p.m. However, Isle of Wight thinks it is at 4:30 p.m.
Officials were trying to resolve the time discrepancy at press time.
They do agree that it will be at Atlantic Shores' upper school campus on Centerville Turnpike.
For Charger fans going to the game, take U.S. Highway 58 East and I-64 West toward Virginia Beach and get off on the Indian River Road East exit. Go to the first stop light and take a right. That's Centerville Turnpike and you will go about three miles and the school and football field will be on your left.
Atlantic Shores is opening the school year with several changes: new headmaster, athletic director and football coach and new varsity football program. The Seahawks are coming back to varsity competition after a year of playing only a junior varsity program.
Last season the two schools met in a JV game and Atlantic Shores won late in the game on a long bomb. Two years ago, when the two schools last played at the varsity level, Isle of Wight blanked Atlantic Shores, 27-0, in the season opener.
``They have a good sized team,'' Charger coach Dale Chapman said of ASCS. ``I saw them scrimmage last week and I think we'll see a different Atlantic Shores than we did two years ago.''
The Chargers not only picked up Atlantic Shores, but added Chincoteague and Tidewater Academy. They dropped Catholic and Hampton Roads Academy, a pair of Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools (TCIS) clubs.
Atlantic Shores, like Isle of Wight, is not a member of a conference this year. It was a member of the Metro Conference, but dropped out and may request admission to the TCIS when the school is fully accredited.
``We plan to remain independent,'' Charger coach Dale Chapman said.
Isle of Wight Academy is starting the season a week later than usual, and for a change the first game will be after school open. Isle of Wight starts classes today. by CNB