THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 25, 1994 TAG: 9410250448
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Almost every system has a flaw, and the Virginia High School League's power points method for rating teams is no different.
If the Norcom Greyhounds beat Deep Creek this week in the clash of the Southeastern District titans, a Titan of another district could decide which team is awarded the Southeastern District's automatic berth in the Eastern Region playoffs.
The two teams have one uncommon opponent: Deep Creek beat Lake Taylor earlier in the season while Norcom will play Norview next week.
Should the Greyhounds and Hornets finish the regular season 9-1, their power points would be different in their two different victories. Deep Creek would have beaten Indian River and Lake Taylor while Norcom would have beaten Deep Creek and Norview. All their other victories would have been against similar opposition.
Should Indian River finish 8-2 and Lake Taylor finish 6-4, then Deep Creek would get 14 extra power points out of the two decisions. Should Deep Creek finish 9-1 and Norview finish 4-6, then Norcom would only get 13 extra points out of the two victories. The difference would be one power point.
If Deep Creek and Norcom finish tied in the power points at 9-1, then Norcom would advance by virtue of a head-to-head victory.
It is a certainty that the Peninsula District champion will be a Division 5 team, either Hampton or Phoebus, both of whom are unbeaten. The two meet Nov. 4 at Darling Stadium.
The loser of that game could miss the playoffs. If Deep Creek, Norcom and the Hampton-Phoebus loser all finish 9-1, Deep Creek and Norcom would have higher power ratings.
The Hampton-Phoebus loser would be eliminated because the Eastern District champion is also assured to be a Division 5 team, at this point most likely Booker T. Washington, which could win its last three games and finish no better than 7-3.
The Division 6 picture is much simpler. The Beach District champion will advance, as will three at-large teams.
The big power-points game this week takes place at Tallwood, as the Lions host resurgent Bayside. Should Bayside win, both teams would be 6-2, and Division 6 would become increasingly confused. The top seven teams in Division 6 - Green Run, Kempsville, Tallwood, Indian River, Bayside, Bethel and First Colonial - all have mathematical shots at the playoffs.
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL: Poor clock operation nearly caused a huge controversy in Kempsville's 17-0 victory over Tallwood Friday.
With the ball at the Tallwood 37 and with six seconds remaining in the first half, the Lions called timeout to set up a final desperation play.
Tailback TaRon Anderson took a pitchout around left end, then stopped and threw a wobbling Hail Mary pass down the left side that hung precariously in the air. The ball was intercepted by Kempsville's Zeb Clark, who zigzagged 31 yards back to the Tallwood 42. The play took more than 10 seconds.
Alas, the clock operator didn't start the game clock until Clark crossed midfield on the return. When Clark was tackled, Kempsville called timeout with two seconds remaining, which sent Tallwood coach Ken Barto into a fit.
Kempsville set up for its own Hail Mary attempt and almost made it count as Fred Sanders tried to hit Marcus Garrett down the right side. But Tallwood's John Joseph was there to break it up at the goal line.
Had the Chiefs scored, any outcome in their favor would have been questioned. It's not the first miscue by a timekeeper this season.
MILESTONES: Should First Colonial win its last three games against Cox, Kellam and Tallwood, head coach Frank Webster would reach the 250-victory mark for his career. . . . Western Branch's Shyrone Stith has already broken the Bruins' school record for points in a season. Stith has 98 points on 16 touchdowns and two two-point conversions. The old record was 88 points, held by current backfield mate Dre Bly, who set it last year. . . . Kempsville running back Mike Pishioneri needs 138 yards rushing against Ocean Lakes to reach 2,500 for his career. by CNB