THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408310640
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: R10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Football Special '94
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
It has been six years since Kempsville High's Chiefs were serious contenders for a Beach District title. Six long . . . excruciating . . . painful years.
But the wait appears over. The Chiefs, after back-to-back 6-4 marks, are thinking big.
And with 31 lettermen returning, including bullheaded tailback Mike Pishioneri, who ran for 886 yards last season, there is reason for all the heady talk that surrounds the Chiefs.
Kempsville was six points from going 8-2 last season. An 8-7 loss to Lake Taylor and a 3-0 setback to eventual district champion First Colonial were the most painful setbacks.
``We were lacking in leadership,'' said head coach John Bowles. ``We only had 10 seniors on the team last season and for some reason, both in high school and college, people figure you've got to be a senior to show leadership.
``I know a couple sophomores we have who have leadership qualities. Sometimes I wish they'd use them.''
Still, if it's a senior who will lead, Bowles finally has a few to turn to. Twelve seniors dot the Chiefs' early starting lineups on offense and defense. And the one player Bowles expects the most leadership from, Mike Hilliard, is starting at tight end and linebacker.
``Hilliard is a strong leader and a heck of a player,'' Bowles said. ``Now, Pishioneri's a little different. He leads by example.''
Pishioneri led the district in scoring a year ago with 14 touchdowns and has a way of finding the end zone.
``One of those runners who gets the extra yard or two where others don't,'' Bowles said. ``Mike has great vision and runs low to the ground.''
Joining Pishioneri in the backfield will most likely be running back Jarvis George, fullback Aaron Shock and quarterback Fred Sanders, who Bowles describes as ``deceptively fast.'' But don't look for Sanders to throw much.
``We'll keep it on the ground again for the most part,'' Bowles said. ``We averaged 13 pass attempts per game but threw it 30 times against Cox and lost (21-10). That showed us we shouldn't throw that much.''
The offensive surprise could come in the form of Jason Johnson, a wisp of a back whom Bowles said isn't big enough ``to cast a shadow.'' But Johnson can run. Bowles might groom him on the junior varsity for another year if he feels Pishioneri's presence would severely limit the number of carries Johnson gets.
Up front, the Chiefs will look to big bodies Kevin Eaton, Luke Walker and Brandon Reed to open holes. Nick Reed, Donald Scott and Travis Williams have also looked solid in the preseason.
``What we have going for us is experience,'' Bowles said. ``We've got some third-year starters. We weigh an average of 230 across the line where in the past we weighed maybe 195. Our quarterback needs to come through. But if he performs at the same level he played strong safety and returned punts last year we will do well.''
Defensively, the Chiefs hope they can be as good as a year ago when they led the district in fewest yards allowed (193 per game) and fewest points allowed (11.4 per game).
``We were small and slow but we were somehow No. 1 in defense,'' Bowles said. ``We play well together. Everybody knows their responsibilities and we have fun doing it.
``We need to replace a couple guys, most notably Jon Fanning. But our middle guys, Hilliard and (free safety Jason) Dodd really bring our defense together.''
The linebacking corps of Hilliard, Reed, Shock and Marcus Spence should provide enough punch for the Chiefs to once again compete for top defensive honors.
And a solid defense can go a long way in a title bid. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by Mort Fryman
Jarvis George, left, Fred sanders, center, and Mike Pishioneri will
try to help Kempsville break through to a district title this season
after back-to-back 6-4 records. Pishioneri led the district in
scoring last year.
From left, Mike Hilliard, Marcus Spence and Aaron Shock will anchor
a defense that was No. 1 last season.
by CNB