THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508220126
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Kickoff '95
Southeastern District
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
Great Bridge coach Phil Webb knew he had his work cut out for him in 1995 when Corey Holley, the Wildcats 1,000-yard rusher, transferred to Indian River.
Webb and his coaching staff prepared as best they could to fill that gap when practice opened Aug. 7, but no one could prepare Great Bridge for the trials that followed. First, Hurricane Felix hovered off the South Hampton Roads shoreline long enough to wreak havoc with the practice schedule.
Then the Wildcats took an even bigger hit - the strain of viral meningitis that had affected three players spread throughout the team. With seven confirmed cases and numerous others ill, Great Bridge canceled practice for nearly a week until the disease could run its course.
``The team came in with real good chemistry, but they're off to a rocky start,'' said Webb. ``But this group has the mindset that the more they go through, the more they'll come together. It'll be hard to keep these guys down.''
One thing Great Bridge has going for it this year is experience. Eight seniors return as starters, and most have been playing side by side on the varsity for three years.
Nowhere are the Wildcats stronger than offensive line. Shawn Curl is the anchor at center, and Great Bridge is huge on the right side of the line with Brian Miles (6-4, 280) and Matt Russell (6-0, 245).
Chris Basnight, who wrestled at 152 but is now pushing 200 pounds, and Jesse Jones are on the left. Daniel Ross, the Wildcats leading returning receiver (11.6 average per catch), is the tight end.
A strong offensive line means protection and plenty of time to throw for junior quarterback Michael Cuddyer, who averaged nearly 15 yards per completion.
Cuddyer's backup is newcomer Curtis Faubion, who also will see time at wide receiver. Other wideouts include returner Robert Ziegenfuss, Michael Elliott, Jason Buckley (the Eastern Region half-mile champion), and newcomer Clayton Norwood.
Great Bridge's top returning rusher is senior fullback Zach Younce, who averaged 5.7 yards per carry. Vondell Jones and John Powers will give Younce a rest.
For the Wildcats to be successful, someone in the backfield will need a nose for the end zone. Last year, Holley accounted for 14 of Great Bridge's 21 touchdowns. Sophomore wingback Johnny Hall and halfback Adrian Hughes are the only returning backs to have scored on the ground.
The defensive line is basically the same offensive starters, but Webb says they're not yet as strong when defending the goal.
``It's just a matter of gaining confidence. We've made some adjustments and it's a new scheme for them,'' he said. ``It's only minor tinkering - we'll try to be more of an attacking and less read defense. I felt last year we weren't as aggressive as we could have been.''
Russell is a regular starter, but Miles will be a roll player to conserve his stamina. Troy Lee (6-0, 220), a junior who moved up from the JV, is working into the noseguard position.
The Great Bridge secondary was wiped out by graduation, so there's not much experience coming back. Competing for time will be Buckley, Ziegenfuss, Faubion, Jones, and newcomer Meredith Corprew.
The Wildcats' kicking game is unsettled. Nick Harnage or Sean Cross will handle punting. Placekicking duties will fall to either Russell or Clayton Kilgore. MEMO: Special section includes football teams for all area high schools.
GREAT BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Phil Webb (3rd year, 5-15)
Assistants: Doug Picott, Joe Habit, Mickey Carey, Steve O'Neal, Trey
Knox, Mike Steele.
1994 record: District, 2-5; overall, 3-7
Returning starters: Shawn Curl, C, 6-2, 225, Sr.; Chris Basnight,
LG/ILB, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Matt Russell, RG/DT, 6-0, 245, Sr.; Brian Miles,
RT, 6-4, 280, Sr.; Daniel Ross, TE/DE, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Robert Ziegenfuss,
SE, 6-6, 185, Sr.; Jesse Jones, T, 6-2, 220, Jr.; Zach Younce, FB/ILB,
5-11, 215, Sr.; Adrian Hughes, HB, 5-7, 155, Sr.; Michael Cuddyer, QB,
6-2, 200, Jr.
Top newcomers: Curtis Faubion, QB/WR, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Sean Cross,
TE/DE, 6-2, 2-5, Sr.; Jason Buckley, WR/DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Vondell
Jones, FB/S, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Tobias Nolen, DE, 6-4, 230, Sr.; Nevin
Mast, LB, 5-9, 170, Sr.
1994 results:
Tallwood 14, Great Bridge 3
Great Bridge 33, Kempsville 18
Churchland 20, Great Bridge 0
Great Bridge 17, Wilson 0
Norcom 23, Great Bridge 7
Norview 33, Great Bridge 21
W. Branch 41, Great Bridge 23
Indian River 42, Great Bridge 22
Great Bridge 28, Oscar Smith 19
Deep Creek 13, Great Bridge 0
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Mike Cuddyer
Shawn Curl
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION by CNB