THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 20, 1995 TAG: 9508170202
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: [High School Football section:] Kickoff '95
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
During the 1995 season, Northeastern High School head coach Eric McDaniels will face the toughest challenge of his coaching career: building a competitive team from the ground up.
The Eagles, competing in the tough Big East Conference, will be young and inexperienced.
``We have 10 sophomores, and a large part of that group will be contributing to this team,'' McDaniels said.
To make matters worse, Northeastern will have one less week to prepare for the season.
While most teams start Aug. 25, the Eagles had an Aug. 18 endowment game with Perquimans County.
Hence, the double session practices through part of the pre-season.
Expected to start at quarterback is Tim Mitchell, who was the JV starter last season. Kentron King, who was brought up to the varsity last year, will start at running back. Other returning starters on offense will include Aaron Soodek at tackle, and Herbert Griffin and Travis Turley at guard.
``Our offensive line is probably our strong point for strength and experience,'' McDaniels noted.
On defense, the Eagles have four returning starters, including Tron Brothers at guard and backs Ernest Sutton and Kevin Crutch. John Helms, who played guard last year, may be moved to a new position. In the secondary, Jovan Green and Shamon Green will both see playing time.
The Eagles have a lot of local teams on their schedule this year. In addition to picking up Perquimans, Northeastern also will play Manteo (Aug. 25), Hertford County, Bertie County, Currituck County and Edenton-Holmes, all smaller schools, before opening the Big East Conference schedule with New Bern Oct. 6.
``These teams (non-conference) all have good programs. Manteo has done nothing but gone up,'' McDaniels said. ``But when we get into week six, we'll be playing good quality programs, too.''
Once again, Greenville Rose is the favorite to win the Big East.
The Eagles are a long way away from the 1993 season when they went deep into the playoffs, beat Rose during the regular season and were conference championships. If the Eagles do have an ace in the hole, it's McDaniels' ability to get the most from his players. He's been to the playoffs three of the past four years.
``We're not rebuilding,'' McDaniels said. ``It's best put that we're trying to get young kids to play varsity football.''
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