THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 5, 1994 TAG: 9411050939
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICHARD GOODEN, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
The Tidewater Sharks' offensive line is the primary reason the team has home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Sharks' line has not allowed a sack in three games and last week against Fredericksburg it sprung running back James Rogers for 167 yards in 22 carries.
The Sharks (7-3) will need another dominant performance from the offensive line to beat the Lynchburg Jaguars (6-4) in their Mason-Dixon League playoff opener tonight at 7 o'clock at the Center for Effective Learning.
The Jaguars are attempting to rebound from a 25-23 loss to the Charlotte Blasts. In doing so they will be forced to match up with an offensive line that boasts an average weight of 308 pounds.
Sharks offensive line coach Bill Moxley shuffles around eight linemen but the five starters are all first-year players. Every player on Moxley's makeshift line previously played defense. Right guard George Foreman is the offensive line captain and Moxley considers him to be the team's best.
Foreman originally was opposed to becoming an offensive lineman. The 300-pounder is now the cornerstone on the offensive line.
Alongside Foreman is 6-5, 315-pound Lee Lewis. The 19-year-old right tackle has played football for only two years but has used his size and speed to make a major contribution. Although Lewis has played all season at tackle he will be moved to left guard because Mark Dobbs broke his hand.
Starting center Bob Adams was originally a kicker. Dobbs opened the season at linebacker and backup center Antonio Bonner was a defensive lineman. by CNB