THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408310639
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: R8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Football Special '94
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
Anyone trying to make the case that an offensive line is crucial to the success of a football team should offer Bayside's exploits in 1992 and 1993 as Exhibits A and B.
In 1992, when the Marlins' front five never had an injury or missed a game, Bayside rolled to the Beach District and Division 6 Eastern Region titles.
In 1993, the Marlins saw three linemen go down in the second game of the season, and injuries continued to ravage the line the rest of the way. The result: a 6-4 record and no playoff berth from a squad that opened the season ranked second in the area.
Case closed, Marlins coach Bill King said.
``I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses, but we were never able to put a consistent five on the field,'' King said.
Actually, that wasn't Bayside's only problem in 1993. Despite a generous complement of talented players, the Marlins had no one as formidable as Greg Melvin, the Virginia High School Coaches Association player of the year in 1992. In addition, King admits that the Marlins and the coaching staff weren't always in synch.
So while the Marlins drew rave reviews before anyone played a game, by the midpoint of the season it seemed apparent that, even when healthy, the Marlins weren't quite as good as advertised.
No one's making grand predictions about the Marlins this year. There's no superstar on the roster, a la Melvin, and there are none of the lofty expectations that have dogged them in the past.
But at least they'll have a line. The upside of so many injuries up front a year ago is that it forced backups into starting roles. Now, King has at least eight players he feels can do the job up front, led by second-team all-district guard Tony Virgili, sophomore John Fuller and senior Alan Chewning.
``It's more depth than we've had in a long time,'' King said.
The main beneficiary of the stability up front figures to be quarterback Jeff Wallace, entering his third year as a starter and coming off impressive showings in the Beach District's summer passing league. Bayside won 14 of 16 summer league games.
Andre Turner, the Marlins' leading returning receiver, Detrict Land and Vernon Dozier should do the majority of the pass-catching. Mike DeBerry is one of three players vying for the tight end slot.
An improved passing game could be vital this fall, as graduation wiped out virtually all of Bayside's 1993 rushing attack. Wallace, who gained 49 yards a year ago, is the team's leading returning ground-gainer. Lamont Miller, Marcus DeBerry and Jermerll Ford are among the running back candidates.
Defensively, King is counting on quickness and aggressiveness to offset the Marlins' lack of great size. As is the case on offense, the line should be a strength, with Virgili joining Mike DeBerry and Cox transfers Mike Skowronek and Derek Jones, among others.
Miller heads up the linebacking corps, and Dozier is among several who will try to shore up a secondary that will be without Ron Williams, the 1993 Beach District defensive player of the year who will play for Butler Community College this fall.
But perhaps the most interesting part of Bayside this season will be its profile. Traditionally viewed as one of the area's most athletic and talented groups, this year's Marlins are marked by intelligence and discipline, King said.
``I felt like we had the talent last year, but maybe the team chemistry wasn't that good,'' he said. ``As a group, the players this year have better grades than any since I've been here. They're smart and they're hard-working. I'm looking forward to coaching this team.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by Peter D. Sundberg
Bayside quarterback Jeff Wallace, left, entering his third year as a
starter, will throw to wide receivers Andre Turner and Detrict Land
and tight end Harry Carawan, among others, this season.
The Marlins' quick, aggressive defense features Lamont Miller, left,
Vernon Dozier and Todd King.
by CNB