THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 20, 1994 TAG: 9409200442
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
Granby High's Anthony King is on a pace to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 1,000 yards, which would be an amazing accomplishment in this age of high school football. It would also exceed his coach's goals for the junior quarterback.
``Like when Pete Allen was here, we just want 150 all-purpose yards a game out of Anthony,'' said Dave Hudak, referring to Granby's former All-Tidewater first-team quarterback.
Allen ran for 530 yards and passed for 1,000 in 1991. He now plays wide receiver at the University of Virginia.
King, a 5-foot-8, 160-pound junior, is playing quarterback for the first time this year. A flanker, running back and defensive back last year, King worked on his quarterbacking skills at a Penn State football camp in June, then honed his passing arm in Norfolk's summer passing league.
Through three games King has 320 yards rushing and 318 passing. He's run for five touchdowns and thrown for four.
``He's just a really good athlete,'' Hudak said. ``He was regularly high jumping 6-4 in the spring.''
The Comets (2-1) play Deep Creek (2-0) at Chittum Field Friday night.
If King maintains his current pace, he will challenge a select list of two-way threats, all of whom were first-team All-Tidewater selections.
Oscar Smith's Kenny Easley ran for 734 yards and passed for 1,066 in 1976. In 1982, Norcom's Ron Jones ran for 600 yards and passed for 1,280. In 1985, Keith McMeans of Kempsville rushed for 641 yards and passed for 1,153 and in 1986, Green Run's Alton Grizzard ran for 500 yards and passed for 1,159.
LIONS' ROAR: After winning only two games in two seasons, Tallwood is ready to make the third try a charm.
The Lions beat Princess Anne, 21-7, last Friday to go 2-0 and move into the area's Top 10.
Tallwood checks in at No. 9 this week and will host Salem Friday night. If the Lions get by their neighborhood-rival Sun Devils, chances are they could be 6-0 before having to take on one of the Beach District's established powers. After Salem, their next three games are against winless Cox, winless Kellam and first-year school Ocean Lakes.
``I'm serious when I say this, we are not looking beyond Salem,'' said Tallwood coach Ken Barto. ``We're not even close to looking at those next three games.''
Tallwood's regular season ends with some toughies - Kempsville, Bayside, Green Run and First Colonial. Those four teams were a combined 26-15 last year. But by then the Lions could have a wagonload of momentum.
As weak as the Division 6 teams are in the Eastern Region this year - only unbeatens Bethel, Green Run and Indian River have shown true early strength - could Tallwood be considered for a playoff berth?
``Don't count us out,'' Barto said. ``We've got a lot of positives going for us. Yes, it's eight games away, but it's a possibility.''
And the Lions could be good for a while. They start sophomore Gilbert Harris at quarterback and freshman Taron Anderson at tailback.
ROUGH START: First Colonial's streak of 26 seasons without a losing season could be in jeopardy. The Patriots, preseason ranked No. 6 in the area, have lost overtime games to Bayside and Kempsville to begin the year.
``I guess you can say we're undefeated in regular time,'' said First Colonial coach Frank Webster. ``But we have to stop making stupid mistakes in overtime. We haven't done a good job of making the big play at the right time.''
A facemask call against the Patriots doomed them in overtime against Bayside.
Then Dorman Minor threw an interception in overtime against Kempsville. As a result, First Colonial is in last place.
While Dorman played quarterback against Kempsville last week, Scott Christy quarterbacked the Patriots against Bayside.
``Christy did all right the first week,'' Webster said.
``We just felt like we needed to get something going. Miner did a good job and was very steady, until the overtime.''
This week's quarterback against Maury is still undecided.
``We don't know for sure yet,'' Webster said. ``Scott's still in there, too. I guess you could say they're competing for it.''
MILESTONES: Indian River senior Shawndell Joyner needs 97 yards rushing this week against Lake Taylor to reach 2,000 yards for his career. ... Green Run junior Plaxico Burress needs eight receptions against Ocean Lakes this week to reach 50 for his career. ... Norcom's Rod Richardson needs 136 yards passing this week against Oscar Smith to reach 1,500 yards passing for his career. ILLUSTRATION: STAFF PHOTO
Granby High's Anthony King is a two-way threat to rush for 1,000
yards and pass for another 1,000 yards
by CNB