THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508230122
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: KICKOFF '95
BEACH DISTRICT
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
When Reggie Garrett first entered the coaching ranks, he set his sights on one day becoming a head coach.
He had no idea his first job would be at his high school alma mater. So far, everything seems to be going well for the first-year coach.
The faculty and football players at Cox have welcomed him with open arms.
``From the first day, everyone has been super,'' said Garrett, a 1978 Falcons graduate who played for Norfolk State before serving as an assistant at Denbigh, Green Run and Ocean Lakes. ``The other coaches have been very supportive.
``But for the first couple of weeks, I couldn't think about football because of all the other stuff I had to do.
``I felt kind of panicked.''
Garrett had plenty to panic about.
When he entered the weight room, there were 20 kids at the most. So he went on a ``major recruitment program,'' calling potential football players who were enrolled at the school. He drummed up enough interest to get 56 kids at the first practice. The crowd has been averaging around 65 so far.
The task of getting players aside, Garrett had to start making plans to turn around a program that had suffered its worst season since 1987.
With limited participation in summer training, the odds seemed high.
But the Falcons have a surprising amount of experience back.
``I'd say experience will be one of our strengths,'' Garrett said. ``We've just got a slough of seniors out here. And these are diehard seniors here. They've been through three coaches now and they're still coming out here. They aren't giving up.
``They've stuck it out, so we shouldn't have a problem with leadership.''
Senior quarterback Bart Dexter will carry a bunch of the weight, but might see time at wide receiver if junior newcomer Ashcon Razavi pans out. Dexter was used in several positions last year.
``He and Bart might switch around some,'' Garrett said. ``Ashcon looks pretty good, but Bart is a senior and he's been there before.''
Senior fullback Aaron Strausbaugh led the team in rushing with 546 yards.
Frank McDonnell caught 13 passes for 141 yards to lead the Falcons receiving corps. Tailback Johnny Williams was effective at both running back and coming out of the backfield as a receiver.
As is typical so early in the practice season, Garrett's defense is ahead of the offense - making it hard for the coach to say which side of the ball will be his team's strength.
``But one thing is certain, depth will be a problem for us,'' Garrett said.
The Falcons open against Ocean Lakes, Granby and Kellam, giving the team probably its best chances of a decent start.
``I hear Ocean Lakes is much better and Granby should be good,'' he said. ``And I know Kellam's gotten better. We could start off 3-0, 2-1 or whatever, but if we start off 0-3, we're in big trouble.
``But I'm excited about getting started and I think we'll be all right if we stay healthy. I'm looking forward to it.'' MEMO: [Special Section includes football teams for all area high schools.]
ILLUSTRATION: Aaron Strausbaugh
546 yards rushing
Johnny Williams
Tailback with good hands
COX HIGH SCHOOL
Head coach: Reggie Garrett (1st year)
Staff: Jim Mason, John Gammon, Ron Zollicoffer, Charles Bryant,
Dale Browder, Tony Splendore
Last year's record: 1-9 overall, 1-8 league.
Returning starters: Bart Dexter, QB/WR, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Aaron
Strausbaugh, RB/LB, 5-10, 187, Sr.; Johnny Williams, RB, 5-7, 160,
Sr.; Craig Reed, OG, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Ben Brumbaugh, C, 5-10, 194,
Jr.; David Hill, DB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Nick Price, OG, 5-10, 225, Jr.
Top newcomers: Mohammed Youssofi, TE/LB, 6-0, 192, So.; Brian
McIlravy, DE, 6-3, 187, Jr.; Ashcon Razavi, QB, 6-0, 175, So.
'94 results (1-9):
Ocean Lakes 13, Cox 12
Granby 35, Cox 0
Cox 34, Kellam 13
Tallwood 21, Cox 0
Kempsville 35, Cox 0
Bayside 36, Cox 12
Green Run 34, Cox 9
First Colonial 34, Cox 14
Princess Anne 47, Cox 13
Salem 21, Cox 6
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION by CNB