THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 9, 1995 TAG: 9504090202
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ED MILLER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Norfolk State completed spring football practice Saturday in just the fashin coach Darnell Moore had hoped: low-key and injury-free.
The Spartans did not have a spring game, or even a controlled scrimmage. They convened at 7:30 a.m. and were done an hour later.
``We did a few running plays for about 10 minutes and that was about it,'' Moore said. ``I wanted to get some teaching done and get out without any serious injuries.''
Tight end Ronald Boone, who was coming off a broken arm, sprained an ankle in practice last week, but other than that the Spartans came out of spring generally unscathed.
``We probably didn't get as much out of it as I'd like to, but at least we got a spring in,'' Moore said. ``We know exactly where we'll be come August.''
Moore did not have the benefit of spring practice last year. He was hired in May, after spring workouts were completed. Still, the Spartans finished 7-3, a reversal of 1993's 3-7-1 mark.
Most of the top offensive players from last year's team are back, including quarterback Aaron Sparrow, the CIAA offensive player of the year, and All-American receiver James Roe. With so many players familiar with his system, Moore said he used the two-week spring practice to stress fundamentals.
Notes: Moore announced the signing of four more freshmen, including twin brothers Alonzo and Alphonso Goodwyn from Sussex Central High. The Goodwyns, both about 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, will play linebacker. They graduated from Sussex in 1994 and spent last year at Fork Union Military Academy. Also signed are Jarrett Myles, a 5-foot-11 195-pound running back from Columbus, Ga., and Duriel Smith, a wide receiver/kick returner from Haliax, N.C. . . . Moore has been looking for a defensive coordinator and expects to hire one by next week. The opening was created when former coordinator Dennis ``Dirt'' Winston left to return to Grambling University. Winston came to Norfolk State from Grambling just over a year ago. by CNB