THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 20, 1995 TAG: 9508170207
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: [High School Football section:] Kickoff '95
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Northampton East, which won the Albemarle Conference last year, is the favorite to win the conference once again.
Looking at the players coming back from last year's 9-4 squad, there is little wonder why East is considered the team to beat.
Back in the lineup are most of Northampton East's ``skill players.''
Returning are quarterback Terrance Powell, fullback Calvin Jordan, tailbacks Sheldon Powell and Tim Lewis, and wide receivers Terayl Midgette and Jermaine Flythe.
On defense, lineman Curtis Belfield and defensive end LaDaniel Neal will be back.
``The coaches probably voted for us based on some skill people coming back,'' said head coach Diego Hasty.
``They don't realize the interior people we lost and key people on defense. We have a very talented group, but you've got to have somebody to block. That's our biggest concern.''
Joe McKellar is the lone experienced offensive lineman.
The Rams will play a strong pre-conference schedule, including a Sept. 8 rematch with North Edgecombe, last year's 1A state champion.
East lost twice to the Warriors last year, including 14-0 in the third round of the playoffs.
The Rams also play 3A schools Northwest Halifax (Aug. 18) and Hertford County (Aug. 25), and 2A Roanoke Rapids (Sept. 1). The Rams could have two weeks off before opening the conference schedule against Perquimans County on Sept. 29. A scheduling conflict with Southeast Halifax may cancel a scheduled endowment game.
The matchup of the year in the Albemarle Conference could be Williamston at Northampton East the final week of the season. The teams finished in the top two slots last year and are predicted to hold them in 1995. Last year, the Rams blocked an extra point to beat the Tigers 22-21.
``The difference between the teams is that we may have better players at the skill positions, but they are bigger and have better line play,'' Hasty said.
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