THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 11, 1995 TAG: 9508090173
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL practice started this week at Portsmouth's schools.
Conditioning exercises began Monday.
The first three practice days were limited to players wearing helmets and football shoes as the only protective equipment. Shoulder pads will be added today.
In past years, the schools had 20 calendar days, not counting Sundays, to practice prior to being allowed to engage in any football games. This year that is the minimum, which allows more practice time before their openers for two of the Portsmouth schools.
Forty-two reported for the first Wilson workout with 12 other players awaiting the results of physicals before taking part.
Starting his second stint as the Wilson coach, Joe Ladisic set his practices from 3 to 8 p.m. Ladisic was head coach for one year at Wilson before it merged with Manor. Last year, Wilson was coached by Jenson Baker, now on the Norfolk State University football staff, and Ladisic was an assistant.
``We'll go with the later practices during the week until summer school lets out,'' said Ladisic. Summer school concludes today.
``On Saturday, we probably will practice from 9 a.m. until 11 or noon,'' added the Wilson coach.
The Presidents will be the first Portsmouth school to open play this year. Wilson has a Sept. 1 game with Granby.
Norcom and Churchland will not start until Sept. 8 and will oppose each other.
Norcom is holding its practices from 4 to 6 p.m. Joe Langston, beginning his 22nd year at the helm of the Greyhounds, had the largest turnout at the Portsmouth schools for the fourth straight year. Norcom had 73.
At Churchland, coach Ken Taylor greeted 30 candidates. This is Taylor's third year as the Truckers' head coach. Last year, Taylor was recovering from surgery when practice started.
Taylor set his opening practices from 4 to 6 p.m. Today, he shifted to 8 a.m. through 2:30 p.m.
``Next week we'll probably go 2:30 to 6:30,'' he said.
Junior varsity candidates also report next week. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by JIM WALKER
Wilson head coach Joe Ladisic watches his team's first workout.
Ladisic is starting his second stint as the Wilson coach. He was
head coach for one year at Wilson before it merged with Manor. Last
year, Wilson was coached by Jenson Baker, now on the Norfolk State
University football staff, and Ladisic was an assistant.
Wilson assistant coach Oliver Hayes makes sure player Paul Connolly
gets the proper stretch. The Presidents will be the first Portsmouth
school to open play this year. Wilson has a Sept. 1 game with
Granby.
by CNB