THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 12, 1994 TAG: 9411120378
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Playing keep-away football, Norcom continued its mastery of Eastern District teams with a 27-0 victory over Granby Friday night at Frank D. Lawrence Stadium.
The Greyhounds closed an 8-2 season with their seventh shutout in their last eight games against Norfolk schools. Not since 1984 has Norcom, the area's No. 5-ranked team, lost to an Eastern District team.
Norcom allowed the Comets only 26 offensive plays, limiting Granby to 66 yards rushing and zero yardage on two pass completions.
In contrast, the Greyhounds had 53 plays.
They also deprived Granby quarterback Anthony King of an opportunity to lead South Hampton Roads passers for the season. King needed 249 yards to overhaul Western Branch's Darryl Walton.
The area offensive leader, King rushed for 52 yards for a season-ending 1,607 yards and earned a post-game handshake from Norcom coach Joe Langston.
``I thought we handled him as well as anybody could,'' Langston said.
Norcom fullback Rudy Howard registered three touchdowns in rushing for 94 yards in 12 carries.
It was his second three-touchdown game and boosted his point total for the season to 72. He was the leading scorer in Portsmouth.
The other Greyhound touchdown came on a 32-yard pass from Octavius Brothers to Anthony Hawkins. It was the only pass thrown by the reserve Norcom quarterback.
Regular Norcom signal caller Rod Richardson, getting a look-see from scouts from Virginia Military Institute, gained 72 yards in 11 carries. ``I knew they were here and I was hoping Rudy and I both could get 100 yards rushing.
``I guess I should have called on myself for a few more carries,'' he added with a grin. ``That keeper seemed to really be working.''
Howard, an all-state senior defensive back who had one of two interceptions by the Greyhounds, said he plans to visit several colleges before deciding where he will attend.
The latest major university to show interest in the 6-foot-2, 192-pounder is Purdue.
Langston said his players were disappointed that they will not be participating in the Eastern Region playoffs.
``We thought all along that only one team from our district would be going in Division 5,'' he said. ``Deep Creek earned that spot.
``But I'm proud of these kids for the season they had, and it shows their own expectations in not being happy at 8-2. With the injuries we had early on and several new players blending in, I think we can be satisfied with their effort.
``I told them it would be nice if we could finish up with a shutout. And they responded.''
It was the final game for 30 Norcom seniors. Eight of the Granby (5-5) players ended their careers. by CNB