THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410260146
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
MUST.
That's the big little word that stands between Eastern Region Division 5 football playoff hopes for three Southeastern District teams.
The only sure-fire bet for post-season play from the eight-team Southeastern is the district champion.
The scramble between the 17 teams in the region for the four Division 5 playoff berths has been reduced to six teams. These are Deep Creek, Norcom, Western Branch, Hampton, Phoebus and the Eastern District winner.
Three of the teams in the playoffs will be district champions - from the Southeastern, the Eastern and the Peninsula.
Western Branch, with two losses, has the slimmest hopes. The Bruins must win their three remaining games - against Indian River, Oscar Smith and Deep Creek - and they must have the loser of the Hampton-Phoebus game drop another game.
To qualify, Norcom must beat Deep Creek Friday night.
In Division 6, Indian River likely will gain a playoff berth if it wins its three remaining games. So Friday's match-up with Western Branch on the Bruins' field is a must game for both Western Branch and Indian River.
Churchland will be on the road for its three remaining games - against Norview, Indian River and Wilson.
The Truckers still have an opportunity to better last year's 6-4 record, the first winning mark at Churchland since 1981. Now 4-3 after an impressive victory over Booker T. Washington, the Truckers would have to win these three games. ``We played last week like the team I thought we could be,'' said Churchland coach Ken Taylor.
Wilson is idle this week, licking its wounds from a 60-0 loss to Norcom last week. The Presidents have two games remaining, both at Frank D. Lawrence Stadium. Wilson faces Booker T. Washington next week and closes against Churchland.
Here are the Southeastern District team statistics: ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHRISTOPHER RIDDICK
Norcom's Mike Ricks goes up for a completed pass earlier this season
against Churchland.
by CNB