THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 4, 1994 TAG: 9411040914
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
When Mike Hilliard first strapped on his shoulder pads for Kempsville High, he envisioned leading the Chiefs back to glory days.
He remembered going to Kempsville games when he wasn't as tall as a chain-length fence and watching D.J. Dozier race through defenses for the unbeaten Chiefs in 1981.
He remembered going to Foreman Field in a driving rain storm as the Chiefs, led by running back T.J. Morgan, played Mount Vernon in the 1983 state title game.
He remembered cheering for his older brother Monty, a defensive back, in 1985 when the Chiefs were 10-1-1 and quarterback Keith McMeans was close to unstoppable.
But the memories of Kempsville glory end there. There were playoff games in 1987 and 1988, but the Chiefs quickly fell into a tailspin after that.
Glory has returned, however, and Hilliard, as he once dreamed, is a major reason for the Chiefs' seven-game winning streak.
A victory tonight at Bayside would assure Kempsville of at least a wild-card berth in the Division 6 playoffs.
``I dreamed about playing for the Chiefs while I was growing up, but lately I was dreaming about bringing back that winning tradition,'' said Hilliard, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior middle linebacker. ``You think we need to be told tonight's game is big? The coaches have been drilling it into us all week. Believe me, we know.''
Before Hilliard's arrival, the Chiefs had gone three years without a winning record. But Hilliard's arrival coincided with that of Kempsville head coach John Bowles. With Hilliard in the lineup and Bowles at the helm, the Chiefs have gone 6-4, 6-4 and are currently 7-1.
The are tied with Green Run atop the Beach District standings at 7-0; Kempsville closes out the season by hosting Green Run.
A year ago, Kempsville was the Beach District's stingiest defense, allowing 9.7 points per game and giving up an average of only 188.5 yards per game.
Somehow, the Chiefs were omitted completely from the All-Beach District team, despite such impressive credentials.
``We had one guy make second team and one guy make honorable mention,'' said Hilliard, who received no postseason honors. ``It made all of us mad. We still feel like we don't get any respect. But all it does is make us be relentless on the field.''
The recruiters are apparently showing Hilliard some respect.
Division I-A schools Cincinnati, Tulane and Temple have shown interest, as have I-AA powers Delaware and James Madison.
``I think I can play Division I ball,'' Hilliard said. ``All I need is a chance.''
After an embarrassing 33-18 loss to Great Bridge to open the season - ``We were believing our preseason press clippings,'' Hilliard said - the Chiefs have buckled down. After eight games Kempsville ranks No. 2 in the area in yardage allowed, giving up a miserly 117.6 yards per game. Only Green Run, allowing 116.5 yards per game, ranks ahead of the Chiefs.
During their seven-game winning streak, the Chiefs have given up an average of 94 yards per game.
More impressively, the Chiefs have shut out their last four opponents. The Chiefs have forced opponents into 26 turnovers this season, giving the team a plus-12 turnover ratio.
Hilliard is the ringleader of the defense. He has intercepted four passes, caused three fumbles, recovered four fumbles and been in on 65 tackles.
He cherishes his position.
``When you're a middle linebacker you're constantly in the game,'' said Hilliard, also Kempsville's starting catcher since his sophomore season. ``Whether it's middle linebacker or catcher, both are positions where you're in on every play. I'm a hyper kid. I can't stand it when I'm on the sidelines, anyway.''
If Hilliard again finds himself on the sidelines when it's time for postseason awards, his coach won't believe it.
``He should have made it last year,'' Bowles said. ``This year he's only gotten better. He calls almost all the defenses. Well, sometimes he lets me call one. He took the bull by the horns early in a leadership role and has led by example ever since.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
RICHARD DUNSTON/Staff
With Mike Hilliard in the lineup, Kempsville has been a winner, with
a 6-4 record each of the last two seasons; the Chiefs are currently
7-1.
by CNB