THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 10, 1994 TAG: 9412100357
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Deep Creek will be out to show that bigger doesn't necessarily mean better today when the Hornets take on Patrick Henry-Ashland in the Group AAA Division 5 state final at 1:30 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium.
The Patriots (13-0) ran up just under 40 points a game during the regular season behind a mammoth offensive line that averages 270 pounds a man.
This won't be the first time the Hornets (13-0) will be giving away size in the trenches. But never have the Hornets been confronted by an offensive line this big. The Patriots' size advantage is particularly significant when they run to the right, behind 313-pound guard Tim Patterson and 291-pound tackle Damien Woody.
According to Deep Creek coach Jerry Carter, however, sharp Hornet execution defensively will negate the Patriots' size advantage.
``Size is a factor, but quickness and technique are going to determine who wins this game,'' Carter said. Defensive coordinator John Dukes ``has prepared as good a defensive game plan as he's prepared all season.''
That game plan includes turning Patriot double-threat quarterback Daninelle Derricott into a passer instead of a runner. Derricott accounted for 1,293 yards rushing and 1,202 yards passing this year, but he'll keep it on the ground all day if no one stops him. In last week's 35-14 victory over Fairfax, he attempted just one pass.
The Hornets will challenge Derricott with the same strategy they used against E.C. Glass' elusive quarterback Andre Kendrick - a controlled, contain-oriented pass rush that shuts down running lanes. Forced to pass, Kendrick completed only a third of his 18 attempts, with two interceptions.
Stopping Kendrick doesn't necessarily mean stopping Patrick Henry, however. Running backs Ricky Wilkerson and Okema Lewis have combined for more than 1,700 yards, and 6-7 receiver Erron Kinney will present match-up problems for Deep Creek's secondary.
Consequently, Patriots' coach Ray Long expects to be able to move the ball. His bigger concern is stopping the Hornets from moving the ball. Deep Creek's wing-T has been at peak efficiency during the playoffs, save for a second-half shutdown against E.C. Glass.
The Patriots have seen a couple Wing-T offenses this season, but knowing how to defend it and slowing down Deep Creek's potent version can be two different things. E.C. Glass had little trouble with Pulaski County's Wing-T in the Northwest Region final, but seemed completely baffled by the Hornets' attack a week later.
A key for the Hornets could be running back Cedric Williams, who returned to the backfield last week after missing three games with an injury. Williams ran well against E.C. Glass, but fumbled twice. Earlier this week, Williams was down about the mistakes but now believes he's primed for a big game.
As for intangibles, Patrick Henry will have a home-field advantage of sorts: this will be the third consecutive game the Patriots have played at the University of Richmond Stadium. But the Hornets still figure to be well-supported. For last week's state semifinals, more than half of the roughly 5,000 fans at Lynchburg's City Stadium were Deep Creek fans.
According to Carter, that kind of turnout made a difference.
Deep Creek will be out to show that bigger doesn't necessarily mean better today when the Hornets take on Patrick Henry-Ashland in the Group AAA Division 5 state final at 1:30 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. by CNB