THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9408260759
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: R14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Football Preview: College Football '94
SOURCE: BY ABE GOLDBLATT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Last year, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference football race ended in a photo finish with Randolph-Macon, Emory & Henry and Hampden-Sydney 1-2-3.
It could be a dogfight again this season. Although picked to finish No. 1 in the coaches preseason poll, the Jackets, with key losses, may have trouble repeating. Hampden-Sydney, the No. 2 choice, has the talent to capture its first championship since 1987.
And it all could come down to the final game, just like last season, when Hampden-Sydney and Randolph-Macon meet.
Sizing up the ODAC teams:
Randolph-Macon: Bright spot for the defending champion Yellow Jackets (7-1-1 last year, 5-0 in the ODAC) is senior quarterback Andy Bush, the ODAC's top passer last season with 1,730 yards, 15 touchdowns, only four interceptions. But the ``Fab Four'' (Dexter Hurt, Kerrell Bryant, Garry Carter and David Hughes) are gone, so are most skilled players. Coach Joe Riccio has decent strength in the offensive line, where Chris Moore, a sophomore from Virginia Beach's Cox High, is one of the best. Strength is defense, seven starters return.
Hampden-Sydney: The Tigers (6-4, 3-2) don't have an experienced quarterback. But that's about the only thing coach Joe Bush really has to worry about as the Tigers shoot for their seventh consecutive winning season. Sixteen starters return, including nine on defense, led by senior tackle Chad Wheeling, a two-time All-ODAC pick, and junior linebacker Mark Hazelwood, who had a team-leading 135 tackles. Back on offense is senior running back Robert Thompson, who had four 100-yard rushing games last season.
Emory & Henry: Coach Lou Wacker has led the Wasps (7-3, 4-1) to five conference titles, including a 10-0 season and the South Region championship in '92, and three trips to postseason playoffs. But this year, Wacker faces the biggest rebuilding job of his career. Only one starter returns on offense, wideout Chris Turner, who averaged 13.9 yards on 28 receptions last season. Four starters are back on defense.
Washington & Lee: Eighteen starters are back for the Generals (2-8, 1-4), including the entire defense. The defenders include junior tackle Robert Hull, the only ODAC player to be picked on the Division III preseason All-American team; and senior linebacker Stephen Cox, who logged 71 tackles last year. Sophomore quarterback Brooks Fischer, who had a freshman-record 10 touchdown passes in '93, is back, along with all the receivers.
Bridgewater: Coach Max Lowe faces another rebuilding year with only six seniors on the Eagles (2-8, 1-4). Keith Fix, who should profit from his freshman mistakes as a starter in six games last year, is at quarterback.
Guilford: The Quakers (2-8, 1-4), returning 25 players who started at least one game last season, should improve. A year of seasoning should make Santes Beatty a better quarterback.
DIVISION III INDEPENDENTS
Apprentice School: The Builders (6-2-1) have the tools to post their fourth straight winning season under coach Paul Hoffman, a Norfolk native. Hoffman has experienced players on offense and defense. All-State wide receiver Andre Ross, also a return specialist, has gained 1,684 yards on 97 receptions in three seasons. Quarterback Daren Graham has passed for more than 3,600 yards in three seasons.
Ferrum: Dave Davis has a tough assignment in his first year as head coach of the Panthers (5-4). Strong point is defense, led by end Billy Ray Ellis, the national collegiate power-lifting champion at 242 pounds, and linemen Troy Day and Rick Deboh, both of Virginia Beach. The offensive line needs rebuilding. Quarterback Millard Vining (1,000 yards, eight touchdowns in '93), and wide receiver Ray Brawley are back.
Chowan College: The Braves (1-9) stumbled in their inaugural season as a full-fledged NCAA Division III program. Things don't look much better for coach Jim Harrison. The squad is young, with only six seniors, and faces a tough schedule.
Clinch Valley: Nine starters return for the Cavaliers (6-4) on offense and nine on defense. The ace is senior quarterback Dave Nara, who has thrown for 3,960 yards and 20 touchdowns. Greg Thomas, who averaged 106 yards per game in '93, is back. Up front, Curtis Bucholz, a sophomore from Green Run, is a strong contender for a starting position on the line. by CNB