THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 2, 1994 TAG: 9411300121
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 29 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
For the first time, Chesapeake has two schools in the state semifinals.
One, Indian River, is making a repeat showing. The other, Deep Creek, is tasting this level of success for the first time.
There can be no doubt that the Southeastern District is one of the premier districts in Virginia.
``This league from top to bottom is better than any other around,'' said Indian River coach Bob Parker.
``Every week it's a tough game. . . there's no time to rest. It's a great preparation for the playoffs. By now we've seen every different variety on offense and defense.''
The Braves lost 24-7 to Pulaski County in last year's semifinals.
Oddly enough, both Indian River and Deep Creek will face teams from the Western District in the state semifinals. The Braves take on George Washington-Danville at Great Bridge; the Hornets travel to Lynchburg to take on E.C. Glass.
Indian River will have to handle the Eagles' bruising ground game in order to advance to the finals. G.W. Danville ran away from Patrick Henry-Roanoke, 42-14, in a Northwestern Region playoff game, led by Keith Terry's 131 yards on 12 carries.
Another thorn in the Braves' side will be running back Theomone Brooks, who leads G.W. Danville with 1,013 yards on 118 carries. Brooks also caught 20 passes for 227 yards.
One of the more interesting matchups will be the line. The Braves are known for their bulk up front, especially All-Tidewater lineman Shawn Greene, who is 6-3 and 280 pounds, and guard Kirk Jackson (6-0, 350).
G.W. Danville counters with a few big boys of their own, including center John Poole (6-4, 280) and defensive lineman Archie Glass (6-2, 250).
Whereas Indian River will benefit from a local crowd, Deep Creek must hit the road for its semifinal matchup with the Hilltoppers, who are also making their second straight appearance in the state semifinals (they lost 38-3 to eventual champion Norcom last year).
The Hornets couldn't have been happy with allowing Hampton to score 42 points on their defense in the Division 6 Eastern Region final. If the offense can match their opponent score-for-score, that's fine. But they can't count on it.
The first task for Deep Creek will be containing quarterback Andre Kendrick, who's dangerous on the option and prefers to run rather than throw. Kendrick ran for 159 yards on 14 carries in the Hilltoppers' win over Pulaski County in the Division 6 Northwestern Region final.
When Kendrick does take to the air, his primary receiver is O.J. Jones.
Running back Chris Matthews can also be a handful, rushing for 297 yards against Pulaski.
Fullback Todd DeLamielleure, a 6-0, 199-pound sophomore, comes from impressive stock as the son of former All-Pro offensive lineman Joe DeLamielleure. The elder DeLamielleure played in the Pro Bowl six times and blocked for O.J. Simpson as the anchor of the Buffalo Bills' offensive line. by CNB