THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 14, 1994 TAG: 9410120170
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
After defeating top-ranked Norcom to stop the Greyhounds' 18-game winning streak, Indian River would have been pleased to have a lightweight opponent this week.
Unfortunately, the schedule gods aren't cooperating. Instead of a creampuff, Indian River will face the opposite end of the spectrum when second-ranked Deep Creek comes calling on Friday night.
``I feel like they're the most talented team we've seen so far,'' said Indian River coach Bob Parker of the undefeated Hornets. ``We're really going to have to play good defense and eliminate errors.''
Errors are something that hurt the Braves (4-1) early in the season, mostly in the form of penalties. Even in the win over Norcom, Indian River had it's share of mental mistakes.
``It's hard for me to even imagine, that with the bad punts, fumble, and interception that we won that game,'' said Parker.
The Braves will have to cut out those kinds of mistakes if they hope to knock off unbeaten Deep Creek. The Hornets' defense, especially in the last two games, has been unforgiving.
In a 35-0 win over then fourth-ranked Churchland, a blocked punt, three turnovers, and a fourth-down stand led to all five Deep Creek touchdowns. Against Lake Taylor the following week, a fumble recovery and an interception by George Miller led to two Hornets touchdowns in a 21-0 win.
``If you hold a team under 200 yards you've done a pretty good job,'' Deep Creek coach Jerry Carter said. ``The turnover ratio has been heavily in our favor, and we've been able to stop teams when we've had to.''
One advantage for Indian River, other than playing at home, is its bulk up front.
According to Carter, Deep Creek has ``always had a problem with (Indian River's) defense because of their size, combined with their quickness.''
Parker, in fact, refers proudly to his line as ``big and fat.'' Same goes for the offensive front, who can throw around a few pounds as well.
Cory Twine is the relative lightweight at 240 pounds, and things go up from there. Mike Tolliver (250) and Sean Greene (280) are standouts, but no one casts a shadow like Kareem Coleman. The big man on the Braves tops 340 pounds, ``beyond the scales'' according to Parker.
Deep Creek defenders Miller, Kenny Manning, Diran Cowell, and Vernon Boone (who recently was granted an age appeal and has 13 tackles in the two games he's played) will have their hands, and everything else, full.
Although on offense the game might come down to a battle of the big-name backs - Indian River's Shawndell Joyner and Deep Creek's Deon Dyer - if it comes down to a field goal, Carter has faith in kicker Joe Verdi.
``He's the typical kicker - a little outside the norm, with his own way of doing things. He marches to the beat of a different drummer,'' said Carter. ``But I would not hesitate to try him from 40 (yards) in.'' by CNB