THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 9, 1995 TAG: 9504060185
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
HEADING INTO HIS third season as head coach of the Elizabeth City State University football team, George Moody likes what he sees. He has an excellent base of players returning in the fall and also has what he feels is a solid group of recruits coming in.
Moody has been looking over the troops the last three weeks during ECSU's annual spring practice at Roebuck Stadium. Moody left the dusty field last Tuesday afternoon on a day that was more reminiscent of late September than early spring, eager to talk about the new players coming to the squad this fall. While starters like running back Aaron Murchison, quarterback Kenny Crump, and All-CIAA defensive players Andrew Richardson, Damien Latta and Barry Lipscomb ran their final drills, Moody headed for the Vaughan Center to look over his recruit list and talk about spring practice.
``We only have three weeks, 15 days,'' Moody said. ``You can't do a whole lot of conditioning. We do more teaching and skill development.''
Moody said he wanted to stress two major concerns this spring - special teams and finding a punter.
``What people don't realize is that one-third of your game is special teams,'' he pointed out, sitting in a cramped office. ``You have offense, defense and special teams. Special teams hurt us the first half of last season, particularly the kickoff return team.''
Moody said his search for a punter is continuing.
``Our field goal and extra point kicking is fine with Wilton Evans. The hardest thing to find during recruiting season is a punter. Nobody's got one,'' he said with a chuckle.
The recruiting season has given Moody an eye to the future. Despite naming Crump the starter at quarterback for the fall, Moody recruited two quarterbacks - Dwain Barr of Chocowinity High School and D'Angelo Hansley of Mt. Victoria, Md.
Also on offense, Moody picked up three transfers with experience and size. Center Jermaine Brown (6-2, 305) and offensive tackle John Scott (6-3, 320) are both from Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton, Pa. Offensive tackle Omari Salisbury (6-3, 280) is transferring in from Idaho State.
ECSU, 5-6 last season, also has five defensive recruits so far. Linebacker Dameon Burrell (6-2, 240) of Central Washington University and linebacker Jermond Davenport (6-0, 200) from Severna Park, Md., have both committed to the Vikings for the fall.
Closer to home tackle Carter Clemmons (6-4, 285) of Western Branch High School, defensive end Keith Manson (6-2, 235) of Jacksonville, and defensive back Richard DeBerry (5-10, 175) of Norcom High School are expected to report to the team in August.
There could be others, too. Moody popped in a videotape of a running back from Maryland that he's interested in. The player was shown outrunning defenders and scoring numerous touchdowns. ``I want him,'' Moody said.
Moody would also like a winning season. Nineteen ninety-five could be the one. by CNB