THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508220127
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Kickoff '95
Southeastern District
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
Western Branch is one of five Group AAA teams in South Hampton Roads to post four consecutive winning seasons - and the only one not to make the playoffs.
Western Branch has won seven games three times and six games once during its streak. But Division 5 has been so competitive - the Eastern Region champion went on to win state titles in 1991, 1992 and 1993 - that the Bruins always came up short in the power ratings.
Once again Western Branch has the look of a winner. But the question remains as to whether the Bruins will win enough to make the playoffs.
``We've tasted 7-3 enough,'' Bruins coach Lew Johnston said. ``Now we're going to try and lift it up to 8-2 or 9-1.''
They will have to do it with a rebuilt offensive line and the annual suspicions about the defense.
Western Branch lost its entire offensive front, but at least the replacements have size. The Bruins average 245 pounds from tackle to tackle led by Quentin Battle (6-4, 280) and Jason Hess (6-1, 260).
The defense could actually be a strength this season with six returning starters, but will have to earn respect. Western Branch finished 18th in total defense and 12th in scoring defense out of 23 schools in 1994. The Bruins were 13th in total defense and ninth in scoring defense out of 22 schools in 1993.
Many of those yards have been surrendered late in games after the Bruins built a big lead, Johnston said. Perhaps, but the bottom line is that the Bruins have not played championship-caliber defense.
This year's unit could change that. The Bruins have switched from a 5-3 front to a 4-4, replacing the noseguard with an extra linebacker.
``We didn't get the support we needed on the corners last year,'' Johnston said. ``We have a lot of kids who can run and we're committed to applying more pressure.''
Hess started 10 games at tackle last season and should be a stalwart on the line. Mark Edmondson and Malik Cook should be outstanding at inside linebacker and the secondary of Lorenzo Ferguson and twins Darren and Daryl Walton is top rate.
Edmondson is a two-year starter and Cook (6-2, 220) has been timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Ferguson (6-2, 185) has offers from Virginia Tech and Virginia, and the Waltons may be recruited next year.
The strength of the Bruins' throughout the '90s has been the offense, and this team won't disappoint there. Quarterback Daryl Walton, halfback Shyrone Stith and placekicker Daniel Dussia are among the best at their positions in South Hampton Roads.
Walton completed 52.7 percent of his passes for an area-leading 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore. Stith rushed for 896 yards and averaged 8.6 yards per carry. He is also a dangerous kick returner and was second in the area in scoring with 18 touchdowns and 110 points. Dussia led the area in kick scoring with 45 points.
Ferguson and Cook are the other running backs in the Bruins' Wing-T. Western Branch lost outstanding receivers in Dre Bly and Jeff Leiker, who combined for 57 catches.
Darren Walton has more athletic ability than Leiker as well as what Johnston calls a ``sixth sense'' when it comes to communicating with his brother. No one could replace Bly as a play-maker, but Ferguson is bigger and a better blocker. MEMO: Special section includes football teams for all area high schools.
WESTERN BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Lew Johnston (11th season, 51-46-3)
Staff: Brian Burke, Mike Hall, Robert Decker, Mike Donovan, Wade
Williams
Last year's record: 6-4, 4-3
Returning starters: Darryl Walton, QB, 5-11, 180, Jr; Shyrone Stith,
RB, 5-8, 185, Sr.; Lorenzo Ferguson, RB-DB, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Malik Cook,
RB-LB, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Darren Walton, DB, 5-11, 175, Jr.; Mark Edmondson,
LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Jason Hess, DT, 6-1, 260, Jr.; J. D. Smith, DE,
5-11, 220, Sr.; Karl Washington, LB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Daniel Dussia, PK,
6-1, 175, Sr.
Top newcomers: Dominic Towe, LB, 5-9, 200; Marvin Urquhart, RB-LB,
6-2, 240, Fr.; Frank Lemagma, DL, 6-1, 230, So.
94 results (7-3):
W. Branch 55, Granby 21
Norcom 15, W. Branch 13
Church. 29, W. Branch 28 (OT)
W. Branch 50, Maury 7
W. Branch 49, Wilson 26
W. Branch 41, Great Bridge 23
W. Branch 36, Lake Taylor 21
W. Branch 30, Indian River 19
W. Branch 35, Oscar Smith 8
Deep Creek 28, W. Branch 21
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Shyrone Stith
Malik Cook
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION by CNB