THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 3, 1994 TAG: 9409030655
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Following in the footsteps of an all-state quarterback can be a little overwhelming, but Indian River's James Boyd handled the task aptly in his quarterbacking debut Friday night.
Boyd didn't display the fanfare of predecessor Tony Morrison, but he did enough to pace the Braves, ranked No. 7 in South Hampton Roads, to a 22-8 non-district victory over Norview at Chittum Field.
Boyd ran 11 times for 52 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown, and knew that one of the most important aspects of his performance would be making sure his exchanges to running back Shawndell Joyner were clean.
They were, and Joyner did the rest, grinding out a game-high 129 yards and scoring two touchdowns on runs of 3 and 2 yards.
``He played like a typical sophomore quarterback,'' Indian River coach Bob Parker said. ``There are things he can learn . . . but he's a good athlete.''
The only aspect of Boyd's game that needs immediate improvement is his accuracy. He was 2-for-10 passing for 34 yards.
``They must have scouted us in our scrimmages because they took away the deep stuff,'' said Boyd, who played tight end last year.
Boyd said practicing with Morrison last year was more important than succeeding him Friday night.
``I learned a little from Tony,'' Boyd said. ``I couldn't help but learn something. And I knew everyone would be comparing me to Tony from the jump. Coach just told me not to let it get to me.''
If anyone let the first-game jitters affect them, it was the Pilots.
Norview, in its first game under new head coach Will Robinson, fumbled away its first possession on the first snap, snapped the ball out of the end zone on an attempted punt and allowed Indian River to block another punt.
``We were just a little shaky,'' Robinson said. ``We came out and put the ball on the ground, made a couple other mistakes and dug ourselves a hole.''
By the time Norview finally found its forward gear, it was late in the third quarter and Indian River held a 22-0 lead.
The Pilots did, however, mount a 58-yard scoring drive culminating in an 8-yard run by quarterback Jorice Mason. And the final gun ended a desperation 52-yard drive with the ball at Indian River's 19.
``I just wish we'd had Indian River in the 10th game rather than the first,'' Robinson said.
``We just made a lot of mistakes, and their experience hurt us tonight.'' by CNB