THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508230117
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Kickoff '95
Southeastern District
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 110 lines
There's an adage that Churchland football coach Ken Taylor hopes will apply to his Truckers this year:
``It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.''
Taylor, starting his third year at the helm of the Truckers, is working with one of the smallest squads in school history. He had only 30 at the opening practice and has about 35 at present.
But a lack of numbers isn't discouraging Taylor.
``This is a fun group to work with,'' Taylor said. ``We have a large number of seniors and our success depends largely upon their leadership.''
Churchland isn't lacking for experience. Nineteen of the players are lettermen. Fourteen of those are seniors. But graduation claimed longtime quarterback Mike Holland and three of the top four ground-gainers.
Termaine Sessoms, a senior fullback, is the top returning runner. Sessoms, also a noseguard, rushed for 416 yards last year.
Returnees Aaron Bailey and Jermaine Turner, both two-way performers, are being counted upon for bigger roles this year. Bailey gained 70 yards in one game last year and netted 134 for the season on 17 carries. Turner, who had to undergo knee surgery last year and missed nearly half of the season, rushed 15 times for l63 yards.
The quarterbacking job goes into the capable hands of Otis Jones, and Taylor believes the senior will be a good one.
``I think we will be better at quarterback,'' said Taylor. ``A wishbone offense requires a quarterback who can keep his composure and Jones is excellent in that regard.''
His speed also will be a plus. The 5-9, 165-pound Jones has run the 40 in 4.47 seconds.
Churchland has good depth at halfback with Bailey, Turner and senior Steve Johnson.
A year ago, en route to a 6-4 season, Churchland scored 258 points. Gone are the players who accounted for slighty more than 200 of them.
Center Derrick Brown is the only returning starter on offense. But one important holdover is kicker David Tynch, who will be among the area's best. Tynch, a senior, made good on 26 extra-point conversions last year. Only three area kickers converted more.
The status of Pete May, who recently underwent surgery for a broken finger, is questionable. He could be out a few weeks and might be lost for the season.
The 6-4, 210-pound May is a tight end.
A newcomer, 6-2, 210-pound Davy Smith, could be a starter at tackle. Smith is a sophomore who also plays linebacker.
Defensively, several starters are back - the secondary, noseguard Sessoms, tackle Sheldon Barnes, linebacker Tee Styles and end Kevin Lewis. Styles could be following in the footsteps of older brother Cliff Styles, a former All-Tidewater linebacker.
The defensive backfield, bolstered by holdovers David Drake and Tiree Murphy at the corners, should be second to none.
Barnes (320 pounds) and Brown (260 pounds) provide bulk at defensive tackle.
Maury transfer Orlando Morton, a 175-pounder, will join the linebacking corps. He was a strong safety for the Commodores.
It will be important for the Truckers to mesh early because the difficult portion of the schedule is early in the season. Norcom, Western Branch and Deep Creek - three of the Southeastern District's strongest teams - are scheduled in the first four games.
Last year Churchland managed a 2-2 split with these teams and lost only to Lake Taylor and Indian River the rest of the way.
``We're looking for good things to happen,'' Taylor said. MEMO: Special section includes football teams for all area high schools.
CHURCHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Head coach: Ken Taylor (3rd year, 12-8)
Staff: Jerry Taylor, Bobo Ricks, Ray McGinley, P.J. Honore, John
York, Dave Morris, Darin Bracy.
Last year's record: 6-4 overall, 4-3 in league (tied for fourth
place).
Returning starters: Derrick Brown, C, 5-11, 265;Termaine Sessoms,
FB/NG, 5-8, 180; Sheldon Barnes, T, 6-2, 320; Tee Styles, LB/T, 6-0,
220; David Drake, CB, 5-11, 180; Jermaine Turner, David Tynch, K, 5-9,
160; Otis Jones, S, 5-9, 165; Aaron Bailey, LB, 5-9, 175; Tiree Murphy,
CB, 5-6, 145.
Top newcomers: Davy Smith, LB/OT, 6-2, 210; Orlando Morton, LB, 5-10,
175; Jacob Middleton, G/T, 5-10, 225; Malcolm Dillard, HB/S, 5-9, 160.
94 results (6-4):
Norcom 27, Churchland 19
Churchland 20, Great Bridge 0
Churchland 29, W. Branch 28
Deep Creek 35, Churchland 0
Churchland 40, Oscar Smith 14
Lake Taylor 25, Churchland 7
Churchland 49, B.T. Wash. 29
Churchland 41, Norview 10
Indian River 28, Churchland 12
Churchland 41, Wilson 14
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Aaron Bailey
Bigger role this year
David Tynch
PATs a speciality
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION by CNB