THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994                TAG: 9408260218
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER       PAGE: I16  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Football Special '94

SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   82 lines

STRONGER GATORS AIM TO LIFT WIN TOTAL COACH MCGUIRE, 1-9 IN HIS FIRST SEASON AT SCHOOL, SAYS THE PATH TO MORE VICTORIES GOES THROUGH WEIGHT ROOM.

For Ronnie McGuire, last year was a case of going from first to worst.

After taking Lynchburg Christian Academy to the state title in 1992, McGuire jumped ranks and joined the Gators in an effort to boost Greenbrier Christian's football fortunes. Instead, McGuire ended up with a 1-9 season, dead last among private schools.

``We didn't have a lot of guys out, and there was some adjusting that had to be done,'' McGuire said. ``A lot of games last year could have gone either way.''

Like he did at Lynchburg, McGuire is stressing the weight room as the place where winning begins for the Gators. In fact, being on a lifting program is mandatory for the players.

``These guys got committed to the weight room at the end of last season. They've been lifting since then, and I can really see the difference in the strength they've built up,'' McGuire said.

The big question for the Gators right away will be at quarterback. Although Buddy Mansfield, a transfer from Nansemond River, is playing the position for the first time, McGuire isn't worrying.

``He's adapted well to the spot. He's got good speed and good football knowledge,'' McGuire said. ``He's great at directing the team and keeping the guys positive.''

Although Greenbrier Christian lost second team all-state running back Jimmy Hodges, the Gators have picked up Indian River transfer James Hickman to fill the key rushing role.

``Right now he's adjusting and learning the plays, but he's a very strong runner,'' McGuire said. ``The backfield in general (Hickman, John Mosier, Brian Smith, and Johnnie Hudgins) is very strong.''

On defense, Smith returns at nose guard, where he was a second team all-state selection last season. Josh Celestine is a formidable presence at tackle, and Mansfield and Mosier will do time as linebackers.

Although last year was a disappointment, McGuire has no intentions of letting history repeat itself.

``Obviously I'd like for us to increase to .500, and anything other than that will be a dream,'' he said. ``I won't lay out any specific goals or guidelines, but we're going to go as far as we can.

There's no limit to what we can accomplish.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY

Greenbrier Christian's offensive line - from left, Scott Caviness,

Heath Gibbs, Joshua Celestin, Joe Curtis and Chad Dunlow.

Photos

Brian Smith

Johnnie Hudgins

John Moshier

James Hickman

Buddy Mansfield

Head coach Ronnie McGuire

Chart

AT A GLANCE

Includes:

1994 Schedule

Team data

1993 Results

Year by year

For copy of chart, see microfilm

by CNB