THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 20, 1995 TAG: 9508170215
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: [High School Football section:] Kickoff '95
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
The Williamston Tigers have had a strong work ethic this preseason, and head coach Harold Robinson is hoping that it translates into the killer instinct his team needs to go deep into the playoffs.
Robinson has had double-session practices for the first time ever, which he said has better prepared his team for the early part of the season.
``It's really worked out well. It hasn't been as hard as the last two years to teach the offense,'' he said.
Williamston has its entire backfield back from last season. Michael Lee is expected to start at quarterback. Backup QB Daryl O'Neal, who also is a Division I college prospect at punter and kicker, also is back.
Rodney Bland, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 1994, will start at fullback. Joey Tate will be the backup fullback. D.J. Reddick and Mickey Reese are back at halfback. Split end starters will be Lamont Manning and Derrick Jackson. Other offensive positions are still up for grabs.
The defense will include Pernell Griffin and Tony Mobley at linebacker, and Abotche Williams and Donnie Durham on the line.
Albemarle Conference coaches have picked the Tigers for second place behind Northampton East. The talk of the conference is already the season-ending game between East and Williamston, which could determine the conference title on Nov. 3.
A lot has to take place before that game, however, including Williamston's brutal pre-conference schedule. The Tigers open with in-county rivals Roanoke, then play three 2A teams - Edenton, Plymouth and Northside - in a row.
``I like to win them all like any other coach, but I feel like you have to play schools that are going to challenge you early on,'' Robinson said. ``The kids need to understand they need to play good-caliber competition.''
Last year, the Tigers finished second in the conference at 5-1 but could get no farther than the second round of the playoffs. They lost a 35-29 heartbreaker to eventual state champion North Edgecombe.
``Our attitude didn't have the killer instinct. We didn't go for the jugular. We've got to go out there and make things happen,'' Robinson said.
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