THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408250169
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: P08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Football Special '94
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
Small in numbers
And in size,
But Wilson football
Is on the rise.
Victories have been few and far between for the Wilson football team the past two years.
Two wins last season. One win the year before.
Three victories in 20 games.
But, despite what may be the smallest turnout among the schools in the Eastern Region, the Presidents are looking for better things this year.
Head coach Jenson Baker, who guided the Presidents to a 2-8 campaign last year after piloting Manor to a 4-6 record the previous season, makes no predictions. But he's confident that his most difficult times are behind him.
A year ago he had to blend his former Manor players and holdover Wilson players when the schools were merged. He lost most of his premier players when they transferred to Norcom.
Meshing the players and developing unity became an immediate concern that he no longer faces.
Now a 5-5 season would seem realistic.
Baker shakes his head at the mention of that.
``That's saying we expect to lose five games,'' he said. ``We're taking them one at a time and approaching every game as one we can win. And we know we have a much better football team this year.''
Baker had been looking for 60 candidates this year. About 40 turned out. Several obviously didn't want to pay the price of pre-school practices and departed in the first week.
``We probably will have about 30,'' said Baker. ``But we will have 30 who want to play football.''
Perhaps the major change Wilson rooters can expect will be in the defense. Basically it's still a 5-2 alignment up front.
``But we are gearing our defense to stop the run,'' said the coach. ``We are telling teams they will have to throw the football to beat us.''
Last season Wilson ranked 21st in rushing defense among the 22 southside Group AAA teams. Only Princess Anne surrendered more yardage.
Wilson allowed opponents to score 359 points. No team in the area yielded more.
Offensively the Presidents held their own. They went to a run-shoot attack from a pro set. And they will continue to use it.
Last season Wilson was the No. 2 passing team in South Hampton Roads, averaging 136 yards per game.
``We will be putting the ball in the air again this year,'' Baker promised. ``I would say 80 percent of our plays will be pass plays.''
And why not?
In flanker Darrius Edwards he has one of the area's finest pass catchers. ``Maybe the best,'' said Baker. ``He caught 53 passes last year and only one player (Indian River's Shawn Foreman) caught more.''
Edwards, a senior and second-team all-district player last year, is the younger brother of Van Edwards, the Southeastern's most valuable offensive player in 1991.
Another good target will be senior wide receiver Aaron Goodman.
The arm behind the Wilson passes this year belongs to Brandon Wiggins, a 5-9, 185-pound sophomore. He had a back-up role last year.
He played briefly on the Wilson junior varsity before moving to Florida two years ago.
A promising freshman, Terence Winston, is backing up Wiggins.
Wilson has eight of its offensive starters from last year. Mainstays include tight end Dvorak Crocker, tackle Carroll Finch, guards Shawn Oliver and Jason Lewis and fullback Robert Hargraves.
A veteran team, particularly in the line, the Presidents have 18 returning lettermen.
``Because of our small number of players, we will have several starting on both offense and defense,'' Baker said. ``I would like to hold this to a minimum. In scrimmages we have three starting both ways. And I'm hoping we can hold it down to four or five.''
Bernard Griffin Jr. has joined the Wilson staff and is handling the defensive line. ``He's a great addition,'' said Baker. ``He's also our discipline coach.''
Holdovers up front on defense include ends Steven White and Mike Simpson and tackle Nathaniel Morrison. And there's a strong group of linebackers headed by Oliver and Lamark Holley.
``I'm very hopeful we can surprise a lot of people,'' Baker said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Darrius Edwards had 53 receptions last season, good for second in
the Southeastern District in that category. He was a second-team
all-district player last season and will be a main target this
season.
Photos
Brandon Wiggins
Moves to starting QB
Shawn Oliver
Returning starting guard
Carroll Finch
He's back at tackle
by CNB