THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408250168
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: S22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Football Special '94
SOURCE: BY JOHN GORDON, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
By the time you read this, Isle of Wight Academy will have played its first game of the season, against Atlantic Shores Christian in Chesapeake.
Coach Dale Chapman's Chargers opened the 1994 campaign Saturday against the Seahawks, a team that is bouncing back from having only a junior varsity program last year.
Isle of Wight lost an All-State tight end and linebacker in Eddie Nurney, a wide receiver and cornerback in Brad Cofer and an outstanding lineman in Greg Butler. But 11 lettermen return, including six starters who go both ways.
Robbie Chappell and Dwayne Hall, two juniors with 5-foot-9, 170-pound size, are vying for the wide receiver and cornerback slots.
Chappell also could wind up at defensive end where he is in competition with Brent Rose and Brandon Blythe.
Rose, a 6-foot, 165-pound senior, is a halfback and is one of the Chargers' four team captains. Blythe, a 6-1, 175-pound senior tight end, transferred from Windsor High.
The two other senior captains are offensive tackles Brett Fisher and Jeff Meitz. Fisher is shifting from center where he played last season, and Meitz is son of assistant coach Paul Meitz.
The guards will be Phillip Upton, younger brother of coach Greg Upton, and Josh Fisher, who is Brett Fisher's younger brother.
``The center position is up in the air,'' Chapman said. ``We may do some jockeying around. And we may even move (Brett) Fisher back there.''
All four starting backs from the 1993 season return, and three of them - quarterback Richard Spady, fullback Michael Rogers and halfback Ursulus Day - are juniors. Rose completes the backfield.
The Chargers have a ninth-grader who may see plenty of action at slot back. A 5-9, 165-pound youth, Van Williams will also play strong safety on defense.
On defense, Rogers will be at nose guard, flanked by Meitz and Josh Fisher. Linebackers will be Brent Fisher and Upton, and cornerbacks will be Day, Hall and Spady.
``The run has hurt us in the past because we're small,'' Chapman said. ``But we do well against the pass.''
Monroe Wells is Isle of Wight's new defensive coordinator, replacing Phillip Edwards.
``We have to watch how much contact we have in practice because of injuries,'' Chapman said.
Offensively, the Chargers will run and throw about equally.
``Last year, we threw a lot,'' Chapman said. ``Although we have the same quarterback, we've got some new receivers.''
Another concern is the kicking game. Andrew Gregory, a senior who was scheduled to return this season, blew out a knee playing American Legion baseball and will not be punting this season.
``And we haven't even looked at the kickoff game,'' Chapman said just five days before the first game.
However, his main concern is the line, especially the offensive side. Isle of Wight's is relatively small and inexperienced.
``We're one lineman away from having a good season, and two linemen away from having a great season. We're going to be calling on our younger kids to fill some important holes.''
Last year, the Chargers were 3-7, but this year they are shooting for .500 or better. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Above, tackles Brett Fisher, left, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound senior who
moved from center, and Jeff Meitz will anchor the Chargers'
offensive line.
Right, fullback Michael Rogers, halfback Brent Rose and quarterback
Richard Spady make up the Chargers' backfield.
by CNB