THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408310647
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: R22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Football Special '94
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
There had better be plenty of safety rope at Ocean Lakes - the city's newest and undoubtedly best equipped school.
The football mountain the Dolphins must climb is high, and its slopes are steep. The footing is loose and the experience with getting to the top is simply not there.
And although the lead climber knows all that, he has his own mountains to climb.
Coach Jim Prince is admittedly a very impatient man. He wants to see things move in a rapid pace. Change must come yesterday and not a second later.
``I'm not very patient, but I'm learning,'' Prince said. ``I now have the utmost admiration and wonderment for Ken Barto.''
Barto left Bayside to start up the Salem program when that school opened. He then left to start up the new program at Tallwood two years ago.
``I'm amazed at all the things you have to do with a new program,'' Prince said. ``I didn't know where to start at first.
``My patience has to be good. I have no choice. We have some great coaches and an awesome facility. But we have much work to do.''
First in Prince's plan was to define goals. At Cox, he hoped of competing for the district title. That is not a first-year goal at Ocean Lakes.
``Our goals can't mean winning games,'' he said. ``I don't want us to struggle, but I have to deal with the reality that that will probably happen some. We just have to strive to keep getting better. The winning will come.''
The biggest problem at Ocean Lakes - as with many first-year schools - is talent. Out of 50 kids currently practicing, 32 of them are freshmen or sophomores. Of the remaining 18, only 10 have any football experience. Only five have any varsity experience.
``We're so young, we're going to have to take naps before afternoon practice,'' Prince laughed.
There is, however, plenty of excitement about starting the new program.
``Oh yes, enthusiasm is definitely going to be one of our strengths,'' Prince said. ``But you'd have a hard time winning with just that.''
Unfortunately, there isn't too much else.
The Dolphins will be led at quarterback by freshman Walter Amos, who at 6-3, and 185 pounds appears to have tons of talent.
``Tremendously mature for his age,'' Prince said. ``He just turned 14 but is already showing great leadership skills - both by example and the way he works with the others.''
Amos' position is a sour subject at Ocean Lakes. For one day, David Abbott of Green Run pass receiving and kicking fame had practiced with the Dolphins. With his talent at quarterback and senior leadership, his arrival was the best news the team had. Amos would likely have played tailback and been given a chance to develop.
But Abbott took for his senior option and went back to Green Run.
``He (Amos) has to step up now,'' Prince said. ``He's the main man.''
Amos is likely to see time at defensive back, because of a lack of talent there.
Joining him in the offensive backfield will probably be First Colonial transfer Henry Matthews (6-1, 195) at one back. He'll also play linebacker.
Throwing targets for Amos will be wide receivers Lavoy Harrell (5-11, 185) and Robert Elam (6-1, 175).
Getting the ball to Amos will be center Shawn Jennings (5-10, 210).
Safety Marlon Todd (6-3, 180) and nose guard Sonny Owens (6-0, 305) are other early hopefuls.
In an effort to quickly build a ``team'' feeling, Prince took his players to a one-week camp at the Fleet Training Center Dam Neck.
``We stayed over every night and really got to get to know each other,'' Prince said. ``It was just excellent. The people at Dam Neck were just great and it was a good experience for all of us.''
At this point, just about the only experience the Dolphins have. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by D. Kevin Elliott
Quarterback Walter Amos will lead a young squid, including Robert
Elam, left, Shawn Jennings and Lavoy Harrell in Ocean Lakes ' first
season. Although Amos is only 14, his coach has praised his
leadership skills.
Sophomore Marion Todd, a newcomer at safety, is expected to
contribute early on defense.
Lavoy Harrell, a 5-foot-11 wide receiver, keeps his eye on the
ball...
by CNB