THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090481
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Some Norfolk State football players may not be thrilled with the idea of finishing the season on a high school field, but for the seven Spartans from Indian River High, Saturday's season finale against Kentucky State will be extra special.
``It's sort of another homecoming,'' cornerback Lydell Finley said.
The Spartans are playing at Indian River because Foreman Field is hosting the Oyster Bowl, between VMI and The Citadel, and Harbor Park is booked for the Fish Bowl, featuring Winston-Salem State and Virginia State.
Athletic director Dick Price said the scheduling problem arose because Norfolk State has seven home games this season, at least one more than most years.
``We had to do some revising, and we have a good working relationship with Indian River,'' Price said. ``We've used Indian River in the past, years ago.''
Indian River's stadium has a capacity of 7,500, according to the Virginia High School League directory.
Norfolk State has averaged more than 15,000 for six home games this season. Throw out last week's homecoming game and the season-opening Labor Day Classic, however, and Norfolk State has averaged about 10,500. Price said he believes that Indian River can accommodate about 10,000.
In addition to Finley, a freshman, three other Indian River graduates start for Norfolk State: linebacker Antonio Britt, center Stephen Edmonds and cornerback Robert Stokes. Stanley Edmonds, a guard, has been a sometime starter. Two other former Braves, offensive lineman Andre Satterfield and defensive back Leonard McCoy, are reserves.
SPARROW RECOVERING: Aaron Sparrow is sitting out practice this week to allow time for his bruised right elbow to mend, coach Darnell Moore said.
Sparrow first hurt the elbow two years ago, and re-injured when he was sacked and thrown to the turf Saturday against Lane. Norfolk State plays Kentucky State in its season finale Saturday at 1:30 at Indian River High.
``We'll have him ready by one o'clock Saturday,'' Moore said, tongue-in-cheek.
BASKETBALL UPDATE: A first glimpse of the men's basketball team - which has been rated as high as No. 2 in the nation in some preseason rankings - will be available Saturday night, when the Spartans take on Team Bonus, from Latvia, in an exhibition at 7:30 at Echols Arena.
Anyone wanting to get a look at the Spartans may want to do it Saturday, because it will be another five weeks before Norfolk State is home again.
The Spartans' regular-season home opener was scheduled for Nov. 28, but the opponent, Fort Valley State, canceled.
After Saturday, the Spartans will be home next on Dec. 17, for an exhibition against Sundance Basketball Club.
Their first regular-season home game will be Dec. 20, against Morehouse.
Norfolk State opens its season Nov. 19 in the New England Tip-Off Tournament in Lowell, Mass. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Aaron Sparrow is sitting out practice this week while his bruised
right elbow heals.
by CNB