THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408250181
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: P07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Football Special '94
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
The folks in the other districts of the Eastern Region ought to shudder a bit when this outlook on the 1994 football season gets out:
The Southeastern District could be the strongest, down the line, in its 27-year history.
That statement might be tough to swallow when one realizes the Southeastern has produced state championship teams in three of the past five years.
A year ago, two Southeastern teams won Eastern Region crowns. Norcom won the Division 5 title en route to the state championship. Indian River captured Division 6 honors.
The Southeastern has picked up five region championships since 1988.
It brings a chuckle to recall that the Portsmouth-Chesapeake district was regarded as the ``weak sister'' among the region's four districts just a few years back.
``That never was true,'' veteran Norcom coach Joe Langston said. ``We didn't play many teams outside of our district then and those schools had no idea of the caliber of football we played. The Southeastern has always had good football, competitive with anybody. Regardless, I don't think we have to defend our district's reputation anymore.''
But let the games speak for themselves. Let's examine some interdistrict results of the past two years:
In last year's regular season, the Southeastern teams played 24 interdistrict games. They won 15 and lost nine. Six of thoses losses were by two teams.
Two years ago, the Southeastern won eight of its first 10 games against other districts, finishing with a 12-6 edge. Half of the losses were to Lake Taylor.
And consider this:
In the past seven years, no non-Southeastern team has won a game from Norcom in regular-season play. None.
In fact, Norcom has a 189-0 scoring edge in its last five non-conference regular-season games, winning by margins of 26-0, 48-0, 39-0, 34-0 and 42-0.
But getting to the present, the coaches of the eight Southeastern teams virtually all agree that the conference could be stronger than ever from top to bottom.
Consequently, since all the teams play each other, it is becoming more difficult to register an undefeated season.
One coach of a Southeastern also-ran last year believes his team could have won the championship in at least two other districts in 1993.
That could be the case this year.
And now, on with the guessing game about the outcome of the upcoming season:
1. Norcom: As the folks in Missouri say, somebody has to show me the Greyhounds aren't at least one giant step better than anybody else in the district.
2. Deep Creek: The Hornets were 7-3 a year ago and didn't hit on all cylinders after a one-point loss at Churchland. Yet five opponents were held without a touchdown, and this year the defense might be even better.
3. (tie) Churchland: The Truckers have the misfortune of opening against Norcom. A key will be winning the close ones. In last year's 6-4 season, Churchland won two games by a single point and lost one by two.
Western Branch: To improve upon last year's 6-4 record, the Bruins must play better defense. Western Branch surrendered 161 points last year. Contrast that with the 26 given up by champion Norcom.
5. Indian River: The Braves lost some talented players at the skill positions and have one of the most difficult schedules in the region. But never underestimate IR's potential to rise to the top.
6. Wilson: Probably the area's most improved team after coming off a two-win season.
7. Great Bridge: The Wildcats could be better than this, but they were only a two-game winner last year and allowed five opponents to score three or more touchdowns.
8. Oscar Smith: Winless last year, the Tigers will have the added incentive of playing in new surroundings. But a move up the ladder is still a year away. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Norcom's Joe Langston and most of the rest of his Southeastern
District coaching colleagues are riding high these days.
by CNB