THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 2, 1994 TAG: 9411020582
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Nansemond River's Donald Turner makes an impact against all of the Warriors' opponents, but he seems to specialize in sticking a fork in York.
The Falcons have seen the 5-8, 170-pound senior run wild on offense, defense and special teams so many times the past two years the only thing they want to see him do next is graduate, so he can't do them in again.
Of course, the Falcons are due their share of credit (blame?) for Turner's heroics against them. You'd think a team might throw away from a player with seven interceptions, kick away from the man who burned them for a punt-return touchdown a year ago and employ special coverage on the guy who caught five touchdown passes and averaged more than 31 yards a reception in 1993.
``He's probably the best pure athlete we've had at this school,'' Nansemond River defensive coordinator Dan O'Leary said. ``If he's given the opportunities, he usually makes something happen.''
For some reason, York keeps giving Turner opportunities.
In last season's York-Nansemond River game, Turner fielded a punt at the Falcon 45, bounced off four would-be tacklers and streaked into the end zone. Later, he hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass as the Warriors cruised, 34-6.
Friday, when the teams met with first place in the Bay Rivers District at stake, Turner put on an even more dazzling display of his versatility. First Turner the defensive back stepped in front of a Brian Ginn pass, picked it off and returned it 52 yards to the York 2. Turner, starting at tailback in place of the injured Clarence Skinner, plowed in for the touchdown. He finished with 93 yards rushing.
When the Falcons' next drive stalled, they kicked away to Turner the punt returner, who ran it back 65 yards for another score.
The Warriors then scored on their first drive of the third quarter when quarterback Leon Porter hit Turner the wide receiver with a 32-yard touchdown pass.
Turner's efforts in the Warriors' 35-14 victory earned him The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star's athlete of the week award. According to O'Leary, however, Turner's football talent is exceeded only by his work ethic. So while others rave about his performance, Turner's looking for ways to improve.
``I missed a few holes on some of my runs,'' Turner said. ``I'll have to step it up a little this week.'' by CNB