THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410280726
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
Most of Norcom's football players were where they were supposed to be Tuesday afternoon, in a pre-practice study hall.
But almost-perfect attendance at this function isn't good enough for Greyhounds coach Joe Langston, who set out through the school's halls searching for the one player with the apparent audacity to pass this session up.
``Where's 'Tay?'' Langston asked virtually everyone he happened upon. ``Anybody seen 'Tay?''
He probably should have just tossed up a football. Octavius Brothers always seems to be around the football.
Western Branch knows. Last season, the Bruins had the ball and were less than a minute away from snapping the Greyhounds' 13-game winning streak. But Norcom linebacker Aric Cooper drilled Western Branch running back Dre Bly, sending the ball flying right into Brothers' hands. Brothers took it 56 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
Churchland knows, too. In this year's season opener, with less than four minutes to play and the Greyhounds down by six, Brothers snatched a tipped pass out of the air Franco Harris-style and completed a 61-yard pass play. Norcom went on to win by nine. ``Oh, Brothers . . .!'' screamed the next day's newspaper headline.
``I just try to be where the ball is,'' Brothers said.
This knack for coming up big when things look so bad makes the exploits of Brothers worth watching tonight, when the third-ranked Greyhounds host top-ranked Deep Creek. The game is loaded with Division 5 playoff ramifications, and a loss by the Greyhounds would almost certainly end their quest to defend their state title.
Still, no one seems to be panicking at Norcom. Nor are they pinning their hopes on another Brothers fantastic finish. In fact, Greyhound players, coaches and even Brothers himself scoff at the idea that the 6-0, 180-pound senior is some sort of ``Miracle Man.''
``I'm just a team player,'' Brothers said.
``We don't even think like that here,'' Langston asked.
Even so, if tonight's game turns into the close contest nearly everyone expects, the Hornets would be wise to keep an eye on one Octavius Brothers.
It's not easy, though. Given the way he's used, opponents must sometimes wonder if Octavius has Brothers, about four of them, all wearing No. 20 and deployed liberally throughout the Norcom lineup.
On offense, he plays quarterback, running back and wide receiver. On defense, he's usually either a cornerback or linebacker, where this season he's among the team's leading tacklers.
Of course, when he made the play against Western Branch last year, it was as a defensive end. And last week, he returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown, one of his three TDs in the 60-0 rout of Wilson.
Stats watchers might point out that Brothers has accounted for only a combined 229 yards rushing, passing and receiving, puny totals for a player of his skills. But most coaches place a premium on versatility, and Brothers might be the most versatile player in South Hampton Roads.
``Guys like Brothers . . . they're just football players,'' said Booker T. Washington coach Larry Stepney. ``They could have played in any era. The '20s, '30s, '40s, any era you want. Guys like that can do whatever you need.''
Brothers said if it were up to him, he'd probably stick to quarterback and strong safety.
``But I'll do anything the team needs,'' Brothers said. ``I just want to play.''
For a while Tuesday, however, Brothers' playing status appeared to be in doubt. Missing the pre-practice study hall is a serious offense at Norcom.
``You think I'm going to let you do a story on him now?'' Langston said.
Fortunately for Brothers, he was holed up in the school's auditorium, helping to prepare Homecoming decorations. This reduced his crime from a football felony - missing study hall - to a simple misdemeanor - not informing the coaches of his whereabouts.
``You know you're going to have to run, don't you?'' Langston said.
``Yes, sir,'' Brothers replied.
An expression equal parts relief and frustration came over Langston's face.
``You see what it's like keeping track of these guys?'' Langston said.
The coach won't have that problems tonight, though. On game night, Brothers usually turns up in the right place. ILLUSTRATION: Norcom's Octavius Brothers
[Color Photo]
MOTOYA NAKAMURA/Staff
Norcom-Deep Creek
[For a copy of the schedule, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB