THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408250174
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: P06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Football Special '94
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
When head coach Ken Taylor first saw this year's Eastern Region master football schedule and realized his Churchland Truckers would be opening against the defending state champions, he wasn't very pleased.
``I didn't like it very much when I saw Norcom on our opening night,'' Taylor said. ``But as time went by I started to come around. Now I like the thought of being challenged right away. We'll find out just how good we are.''
Taylor already believes his Truckers are pretty good. Is this really the Churchland High that a few years ago went three years winning only one game, and that victory was a forfeit? Yes and no.
In their third year at their new location off Cedar Lane and in their second year with Taylor at the helm, the Truckers are coming off a 6-4 record with visions of a district championship dancing in their heads.
``Now, the community is getting behind this athletic program,'' Taylor said. ``New faces and a new facility certainly helped the turnaround.''
Of course, the Southeastern District may well be the toughest district in the state this season, with no fewer than five teams harboring realistic championship and/or playoff hopes.
The Truckers could be better and still finish 6-4.
``But another 6-4 year would be very disheartening,'' Taylor said.
The enthusiasm at Churchland begins with Mike Holland, who will be starting his third season at quarterback. Holland threw for only 392 yards a year ago.
But that included eight touchdowns and Churchland likes to keep it on the ground, opting to go with the wishbone attack. Look for Holland, the point guard on the Truckers' region championship basketball team, to improve on his 150 yards rushing of a season ago.
``We're going to give Mike the luxury of audiblizing at the line,'' Taylor said. ``I have a lot of faith in him, and wouldn't trade him for anyone in the district.''
The Truckers must replace ace back Antonio Hill, who ran for 826 yards as a senior. Greg Boothe will get first shot, and if he performs as he did in the late stages a year ago, the Truckers should be able to find high gear quickly.
``Boothe didn't play much until the middle of last year, then when he did, he played very well,'' Taylor said.
Jermaine Turner, used sparingly last year, is showing early promise at the other running back position and Korey Lewis rounds out the backfield.
Should Holland opt to throw, the logical targets will be rangy Demarte Franklin or James Harris from the tight end spot and wide receiver Quinton Morris, a nephew of former Wilson High All-State receiver Timmy Morris.
All of this will take place behind a huge line featuring Cary Steadman, Mark Allen, Derrick Brown, Andy Thompson and Sheldon Barnes.
``The smallest of those guys is 235 and none of them are fat boys,'' Taylor said. ``We've had fat boys before. These guys are athletes. Barnes weighs 320 and runs a 5.5 in the 40.
``Our line is going to allow us to run, throw, power and finesse.''
The Truckers will have very few two-way starters.
Up front on defense will be Saif Flores, Rolonzo Rawles and Korey Lewis. At the ends will be Franklin and Turner.
Tee Styles, younger brother of former All-Tidewater linebacker Cliff Styles, will start despite only being a sophomore. With him at linebacker will be Jay Smith, who is coming off January shoulder surgery but returns at 100 percent.
In the secondary are Alex Hawkins, Tiree Murphy, Otis Jones and Holland.
Turner and Holland are the only two expected to go both ways on a full-time basis.
``That should keep us fresh enough to win games in the fourth quarter,'' Taylor said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MARK MITCHELL
Mark Allen, a 5-foot-11, 305-pound guard, works on his pass-blocking
technique. The Truckers boast one of the biggest offensive lines in
the area, with players' weights ranging from 235 to 325 pounds.
Mike Holland
Expect QB to run more
Greg Boothe
Key to running attack
Rolonzo Rawles
Anchors defensive line
by CNB