THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 23, 1994 TAG: 9411230603
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Shawndell Joyner may be gone, but there's still an explosive, hard-running Joyner coming out of the Indian River backfield.
Mike Joyner, a 6-1, 190-pound sophomore and Shawndell's cousin, burst on the scene Saturday by running for 138 yards in just four carries in the Braves' 30-9 victory over Green Run in the Eastern Region Division 6 semifinals.
His emergence, combined with the late-season running of Sam Hardy, fullback Quenta McLean and quarterback James Boyd, has more than offset the loss of Shawndell Joyner, a senior who quit the team after rushing for 897 yards through the first eight games.
``We knew Mike possessed a lot of skills, but when Shawndell left, we figured it was Sam's turn,'' Indian River coach Bob Parker said. ``Then we started slipping Mike in more and more, and he's done a great job.''
Even with his big game against Green Run, Mike Joyner, who went from Indian River Junior High to Oscar Smith before becoming a Brave this year, has carried the ball just nine times this season. Kempsville shouldn't be surprised if he has it at least that much Friday.
``He's the future,'' Parker said. ``He's for real.''
11-0 VS. 11-0: When Deep Creek plays Hampton for the Division 6 championship Friday night at Western Branch, it will mark the first meeting between 11-0 teams in the 28-year history of the Eastern Region football playoffs.
The closest thing to that in recent years occurred in 1985 when Hampton (11-0) played Kempsville (10-0-1). The Crabbers won that game, 25-13.
The last time two unbeaten and untied teams played for a region title was in 1972.
There were only three districts in the region then and only two teams advanced to the playoffs. Maury beat Hampton, 16-8, for its only region championship.
MEDICAL REPORT: Deep Creek defensive end Marquis Hicks (knee) played sparingly against Phoebus after missing the last two regular-season games and is about 75 percent, coach Jerry Carter said.
Running back Cedrec Williams (ankle) is still hobbling, but returned a punt against Phoebus.
The good news for the Hornets is that safety Torrey Wilson will be back after sitting out a one-game suspension. Wilson and Western Branch's Shyrone Stith were ejected from the final regular-season game won by the Hornets, 28-21.
Kempsville's Nick Reed, a starting offensive guard, missed last week's game with a strained knee ligament and is questionable for Indian River, coach John Bowles said.
Nansemond River running back Clarence Skinner, who broke his wrist against Smithfield last month, is going in for an evaluation this week.
Head coach Jerry Varacallo said he would be greatly surprised if his leading rusher returned in a soft cast able to play.
``We have pretty much written him off for the rest of the season,'' Varacallo said. ``Even if he could come back, he's been out four or five weeks and will be out of shape.
``It would be nice to have him to use for a couple of plays to spot Donald Turner. That would be great.'' ILLUSTRATION: Chart
Region roll Call
For copy of chart, see microfilm
by CNB