THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 8, 1995 TAG: 9508080367
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Indian River's James Boyd emerged from his car for Monday's first day of football practice with his helmet strapped and his cleats on.
The message was unmistakable. The Braves have a chance to be great this season, and it all starts now.
``I'm the leader,'' Boyd said. ``I'm going to show the guys what to do, when to do it and how.''
Indian River is arguably the top high school football program in South Hampton Roads at the moment. The Braves have been to the playoffs three consecutive years - no one else can make that claim - and reached the Division 6 state semifinals each of the last two years.
But Boyd, a junior quarterback and linebacker, typically isn't satisfied. Asked what his goal is for this year, he didn't hesitate in predicting an undefeated season.
That statement wasn't out character for Boyd, and neither is a perfect season out of the question for Indian River.
The Braves already had a strong nucleus returning when they added Corey Holley and Antwan Stukes.
Holley rushed for 1,133 yards last year as a junior at Great Bridge. Stukes is the most ballyhooed freshman in Chesapeake, if not the area.
Their addition is tantamount to the Dallas Cowboys - another team that came up two victories short last year - signing Deion Sanders, the best available free agent, and KiJana Carter, the top pick in the draft.
Holley's family moved into the Indian River attendance zone. Stukes, nephew of former NFL defensive back and former Oscar Smith coach Charlie Stukes, lives in the Great Bridge zone but received a waiver to attend Indian River so he can study Russian.
``We're definitely lucky,'' Parker said. ``If I was Great Bridge, I would be upset.''
Holley, a darting runner with good speed and soft hands, will fit nicely in Parker's new wishbone offense.
``I'm just here to help win,'' Holley said. ``I'm not a selfish player.''
Boyd, a running back disguised as a quarterback, welcomes Holley's presence.
``They won't have to run me to death now,'' Boyd said.
Parker hopes that won't be the case.
The Braves have outstanding depth everywhere except quarterback. Parker quickly clicks off the names of four running backs and seven wide receivers.
One of the receivers is the 6-foot-3 Stukes, who Parker hopes will ultimately wind up at quarterback. Such a commitment could be tempered, however, by his penchant for basketball.
Stukes, who figures to grow another 2 to 3 inches, is a prized basketball prospect and was a starter on the Boo Williams 14-under team that finished second in the nation this summer.
``He's a heckuva athlete,'' Parker said of Stukes. ``He catches the ball well and picks up things quickly. He's the future, I think.''
Parker hopes another newcomer, Greg Riddick, is part of the present. The 6-1, 260-pound Riddick is a senior who transferred from Laurel, Md.
Of course, depth on the line is another Braves' strength.
Defensively, Parker's biggest problem, if you can call it that, is deciding whether to play Boyd at linebacker or strong safety. He's a terrific linebacker, but Parker would like to spare him the pounding he takes up front.
Wherever Boyd plays, the defense figures to be another strength.
Pressed for a weakness, Parker mentions the kicking game.
``We'll be going for two a lot,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Color staff photo by Paul Aiken
Corey Holley, running an agility drill, should fit nicely into the
Braves' wishbone offense. ``I'm just here to help win,'' he said.
by CNB