THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9411160139
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 27 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 103 lines
At 6-3, 280 pounds, Indian River lineman Shawn Greene would normally be considered the big man on campus.
But Greene isn't even the biggest guy on the team.
Tipping the scales at a robust 320 pounds is defensive guard Kirk Jackson, ``just a big ol' kid out here doing the best he can,'' according to Braves coach Bob Parker.
But for all of Jackson's ample size, he stands in the shadow of Indian River center Kareem Coleman.
``He's 350 pounds if he's an ounce,'' said Parker. ``Kareem's not that quick, obviously, but he's smart and knows when he needs help.''
Greene, Jackson and Coleman are the foundation of Indian River's offensive and defensive lines. The three, all seniors, embody Parker's credo that the Braves are ``big and fat and just run right at you.''
The three have played together since their days at Indian River Middle School. For Greene and Coleman, it was their first exposure to organized football, since weight restrictions kept both from playing rec football while growing up.
``The first question people have always asked me is `Are you a football player?' '' said Coleman. ``They don't ask my name, just if I play football.''
Their size both helps and hurts. Mobility and speed off the line are the main problems, something that all three admit to.
``Some teams, their quickness hurts me,'' said Greene. In order to counteract that disadvantage, Greene says he tries to ``take them head on, so they can't get around me.''
Even though they might be a step or two slower than the average football player, being big isn't always a hindrance.
According to Parker, Indian River's philosophy is simple - the Braves will run right at you. Nothing fancy, no trick plays.
Oversized bodies are harder to move, especially once set in motion. A tackle that might bring down a 200-pound player isn't likely to even knock Jackson or Greene off his trajectory.
``We play smash-mouth football and just take it right to you,'' said Coleman. ``We prefer teams to run on us, because they fail to realize that us big guys are quick for being as big as we are.''
But the three aren't just big. They're also imposing. To see Greene running at you full steam is to know the true meaning of fear. And Jackson also has a tendency to make Indian River's opponents think twice about running his way.
``If Kirk gets angry, he can be a handful,'' said Parker.
Although their imposing nature isn't noticeable off the field - they answer every question with a polite ``Yes, ma'am'' or ``Yes, sir'' - when the game begins, there are no pleasantries involved.
``You have to have a mean streak,'' said Greene, ``to be successful in football.''
TAMING THE STALLIONS: When Indian River takes on Green Run in the opening round of the Division 6 playoffs Friday at Princess Anne, it will mark the fourth straight year that the Braves have advanced to postseason play.
Not bad for a team that lost All-Tidewater players Shawn Foreman, Chris Coleman and quarterback Tony Morrison.
``Everyone is saying that since we lost Tony and the other star players that we're not going to be as good,'' said Kareem Coleman. ``But that's just extra incentive to show them we're a good team.''
At practice on Monday, there was no doubt that Indian River was proud to still be playing. Other teams in the district who beat the Braves or had better records weren't so lucky.
``What do you think Norcom's doing today?,'' asked one of the coaches. ``Where's Western Branch?''
``Sitting at home doing nothing,'' was a player's response.
The first item on Indian River's agenda against Green Run will be taming Stallions' quarterback Glenwood Ferebee and his stable of receivers - Plaxico Burress, Ben Root and David Abbott.
``If you give Glenwood time to throw the football, he'll get you,'' said Parker. ``They lost to Kempsville, so I can't really say if Green Run is the best team on the Beach, but I think they're the most talented.''
The Braves played the last two games of the season without leading rusher Shawndell Joyner, who left the team. Sam Hardy has stepped into Joyner's shoes and responded with 100-yard games against Churchland and Oscar Smith.
``The team took (Joyner's leaving) very well,'' said Greene. ``But we know we have to work harder to be as good a team without Shawndell as we were with him.''
GREENER PASTURES: Although he's hoping the Braves' season doesn't come to an end any time soon, Greene is planning for a future in football after high school.
``He's a legitimate Division I prospect,'' said Parker. ``He worked hard in the weight room during the off-season, and he's just a solid kid. Shawn's really focused as a player, both in helping the team and getting himself scholarships.''
Greene, an all-Region defensive lineman last season, has been attracting attention from major college programs for quite a while. He recently took an unofficial visit to Virginia, and has visits to James Madison and Kansas lined up for the coming weeks. Greene also is considering Maryland, Tennessee and Clemson.
Greene said that he made honor roll for the last term and has the necessary grade point average to qualify for a Division I program, but he's still waiting on the scores from his second SAT. by CNB