THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 2, 1994 TAG: 9409020754
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
Chris and Greg Applewhite look the part of identical twins, from their dark brown hair to their strong chins. Professors at William and Mary often can't tell them apart. Even their closest friends have to look twice to make sure who's who.
They sound alike, with the thick Southern drawls native to their Southampton County home.
They grew up with the same love of hunting, fishing and peanut farming. They room together, study together, work out together, double date.
It's only on the football field that they have gone their separate ways.
Greg is a standout linebacker for William and Mary, which opens its season Saturday at Rhode Island.
He was a second-team All-Yankee Conference pick last season and has been accorded third-team preseason All-American honors by Don Hansen's Football Gazette.
``I was excited and happy for Greg when he made the All-American team,'' Chris said. ``He played well last year. He deserved it.''
Chris, meanwhile, deserves an All-American award for team spirit, but will never be an All-American.
Like Greg, he was a standout linebacker at Southampton Academy. That changed on the first day of practice at William and Mary in 1990. We need you on offense, he was told by Tribe coaches. We lack depth and think you can help us.
``College football is a team sport,'' he said. ``You have to do what's best for the team.''
Chris moved to fullback, where he has been a well-used substitute. This year he's moving to tight end, to provide depth at a position where depth is lacking.
But as has been his lot throughout, he is playing behind a talented starter, junior Warren Roark, a strong blocker and solid receiver.
``I don't think I've excelled any more than he has,'' Greg says. ``It's just that my situation, the position I play, has opened up a bit more.
``I've been lucky.''
So has William and Mary, which has gotten its money's worth and more from the Applewhites. They came to Williamsburg without scholarships and until last fall weren't paid a dime for playing football.
Both redshirted in 1990 and played in 1991. In 1992, Greg played in all 11 games and Chris in four. Last season, when Greg started and was all-conference, both were given half-scholarships.
This season, they're finally on full rides.
``It's funny, we both wanted to go to different schools out of high school,'' Greg said. ``We didn't want to end up at the same school. But William and Mary turned out to be the best choice for both of us.''
They didn't room together as freshmen, but moved in together as sophomores and have remained roommates since.
``It seems like we're always competing with each other, in the weight room, on the practice field, in school,'' Greg said. ``We push each other. When he does well, I want to do better. Being here together has helped us. It's brought out the best in us.''
Chris graduated last spring with a degree in business management. Greg is one class short, but was allowed to attend graduation.
They are taking advantage of this school year to load up on additional business courses that will enhance their resumes.
``One thing you can say about both of them is that they have a very strong work ethic,'' Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock said. ``They've worked very hard.''
It comes naturally to a pair that grew up on a 115-acre farm, chopping weeds, shoveling manure and cultivating peanuts 10 hours a day.
Even though they are attending one of Virginia's elite public colleges, the Applewhites say they don't want to give up farming.
``It's a tough business, but it's something I love,'' Greg said.
``We've very close,'' Chris added. ``We've been together for 22 years. Even if we don't go into business together, we'll always be close.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Chris, left, and Greg Applewhite didn't plan on attending the same
college.
by CNB