THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 15, 1994 TAG: 9409150632
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
Virginia Military Institute might not be a college football powerhouse, but its reputation for enhancing fertility has taken a giant step forward.
For much of their 16-year marriage, Bill and Karen Stewart tried and failed to have a baby. They'd nearly given up hope last winter when Stewart took over as VMI's football coach.
Then, only weeks after moving to Lexington, Karen became pregnant.
Late Tuesday night, after a protracted labor at Stonewall Jackson Hospital in Lexington, she gave birth to 8-pound, 4-ounce William Blaine Stewart.
Coach Stewart was giddy Wednesday after returning to work from the hospital.
``Karen delivered naturally and she was a trooper,'' he said. ``If that boy is as tough as his momma was, we're looking at a tight end or a linebacker.
``Really, we're just looking for a good kid, that's all. It's a happy day for us. I never dreamed this would happen.''
Stewart missed practice Tuesday, and he acknowledged that his mind won't be completely tuned into football for a few days. He turned over the task of preparing a game plan for East Tennessee State, VMI's opponent on Saturday, to his staff.
``It doesn't hurt my ego that we've got great coaches,'' he said.
GREAT START: Virginia's three Yankee Conference teams are off to their best combined start since James Madison began playing football in 1972. Madison, William and Mary and Richmond are all 2-0.
Moreover, William and Mary (No. 8) and Madison (No. 19) are ranked in the Division I-AA top 25.
Being ranked No. 8 came as a big surprise to the Tribe, ranked 18th the previous week.
``I gave up a long time ago being surprised or disappointed by the polls,'' Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock said. ``It's fine. It gives recognition to the program. But it's basically meaningless this early in the season.''
Defensive back Jason Steiner said the Tribe isn't taking the ranking too seriously.
``It's kind of crazy that we jumped that far,'' he said. ``Now, everyone playing us will be saying it's our week to knock off a ranked team.
``But I think that's good. It's what it's all about, to be playing a big game every week with people out to get you.''
CELEBRATING: The Yankee Conference has thrown cold water on post-touchdown celebrations. Two state players - William and Mary's Terry Hammons and Madison's Macey Brooks - were flagged after short end-zone celebrations last week. They were penalized 15 yards apiece.
Both celebrations were conservative compared to demonstrations seen in past years, but a rule was passed in the offseason to ban intimidation, and officials are enforcing it strictly.
``I'm hanging up my dancing shoes,'' Hammons said. ``The refs are really being tight on us. Even if you pat a guy on the butt after a great play, they're running over to separate you. I guess they're worried about fights.''
Hammons had more reason to worry a few minutes after his penalty, when he misjudged and fumbled a punt and watched it bounce back to the Tribe's 5-yard line. However, he redeemed himself by returning the punt 95 yards for a touchdown.
``The ball was kicked so high, I lost my equilibrium a little bit,'' he said. ``I know better than to do that.''
Laycock agreed.
``Bless his heart, you're really not supposed to be fielding the ball there,'' he said.
``Maybe that's why he's playing and I'm coaching. He made a great play out of it.''
RAT PATROL: Freshmen at VMI are called Rats, befitting their low place on the military totem pole. Usually, Rats are all but nonexistent on the VMI depth chart as well, but not this season.
Of 44 players on the two-deep depth chart, 24 are freshmen or sophomores, including Matt Coley, a Rat from Virginia Beach's Princess Anne High School. Coley, 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, will start at right defensive tackle against East Tennessee.
Three Rats - Andre Thorton, Darrius Jackson and Damon Pinero - are second-stringers in the defensive backfield. Pinero played at First Colonial High School last season.
Starting quarterback Al Lester, also a Rat, supplanted returning starter Spike Johnson, a senior.
``Our young guys are playing hard,'' Stewart said. ``It's tough with so many young faces, but we've got to get this program going in the right direction.'' by CNB