THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994 TAG: 9408250194
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: Lee Tolliver
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
One day it's hot and muggy, the next it's cool and breezy.
One day it's raining cats and dogs, the next it's bright and sunny.
About the only constant this time of year is football.
The Beach District's 10 varsity football teams - that's right, it's now 10 high schools with the opening of Ocean Lakes - took to the fields two weeks ago to shape up for the fast-approaching season.
With that comes grueling pracices - one-a-days, two-a-days and for some, three-a-days.
It's rough, it's tough and it sometimes hurts.
But that's football.
Some teams - like First Colonial, Green Run, Bayside and Kempsville - are entertaining thoughts of championships and playoffs.
Others are merely working on fundamentals and trying to improve.
Whichever way you look at it, it's both fun and a lot of hard work, and there's plenty of it to be done just to get ready.
And to the players and coaches who are dedicating their lives to the game it's all worth it.
Green Run coach Elisha ``Cadillac'' Harris summed up the feeling a week before his Stallions took the practice field:
``This is the time we've all been waiting for,'' he said. ``It's football time. To those who understand what I'm talking about, you can almost smell it in the air.
``This is when we get to put all of our preparation to work, and I can't wait for Friday nights.''
Ah yes, Fridays. Game nights.
The thrill of the lights, the bands and the players taking the field in all their excitement. Popcorn, peanuts, hot dogs and a cold soda.
When the whistle blows and the ball sails through the air to a waiting player, and the first crunching hits from helmets and pads can be heard, you know it's football time.
For those who understand, it is indeed, a very special time. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
ABOVE: Lawrence Chambers cools off during a practice session at
Tallwood.
RIGHT: Kempsville head coach John Bowles leads his players in a
running exercise.
Photo by D. Kevin Elliott
LEFT: Ocean Lakes players get fired up after a pep talk from coach
Jim Prince.
Photos by Mort Fryman
BELOW: Kempsville players practice how to protect the center of the
line.
RIGHT: A Salem player learns to stand his ground during practice.
Photo by Charlie Meads
FAR RIGHT: Center Keynan Almer prepares to snap the ball to
quarterback Scott Cristy during practice at First Colonial.
Photo by Peter D. Sundberg
ABOVE: Assistant Kellam coach Kevin Michaels works with one of his
players during warm-up exercises at Kellam.
Photo by Mort Fryman
LEFT: A determined Sean Twomey at Cox learns a proper way to hit an
opponent.
Photos by D. Kevin Elliott
ABOVE: Sean Coleman takes a hit during a tackle drill at Princess
Anne.
LEFT: Chris Brashers works out during agility drills at Tallwood.
by CNB