THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508250149
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Kickoff '95
Southeastern District
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Long : 103 lines
The mystery team in the Southeastern District football picture this year is Norcom.
A half dozen players on the Norcom squad that went 8-2 last year and 14-0 in winning the state championship two seasons ago now are attending college on Division I football scholarships.
The loss of such standouts as two-time All-Tidewater defensive back Rudy Howard, all-Tidewater linebacker Richard DeBerry, second-team All-Tidewater performers Kevin Mapp and Octavious Brothers, all-district lineman LaVar Bowers and quarterback Rod Richardson would seem to indicate the cupboard is now bare.
Fingers are being pointed at Indian River, Deep Creek and Western Branch as the teams to beat in the district race. Not many are viewing the Greyhounds as a contender.
It brings a smile to the face of Norcom's longtime coach, Joe Langston.
Preparing for his 22nd year at the helm of the Greyhounds, Langston says his team ``is young and inexperienced.
``But,'' added the skipper of the most victories ever recorded by a Portsmouth coach, ``we have great potential.''
Langston, with a career record at Norcom of 142 wins, 74 losses and 4 ties, has piloted the Greyhounds to 33 victories in their last 36 games.
Fifteen lettermen are back. A talented group of newcomers includes several who are pushing some veterans for starting assignments.
The mainstays among the holdovers are second-team all-district tackle Jermaine Bullock and second-team, all-city center Shaun Sparks, both seniors.
Langston's policy of grooming players on the playing field always provides Norcom with a solid nucleus to rebuild. Last year 17 different players were used as ball carriers. Fifteen had pass receptions. Nine scored points.
``I would doubt we will have more than five or six running the ball this year,'' said Langston. ``But we have some very capable runners.''
Michael Ponds moves in as Richardson's replacement at quarterback. He saw action in several games last year although he had only four pass attempts, completing two. Ponds will be among the area's biggest quarterbacks. He's a 6-4, 205-pound junior.
A freshman, Kevin Jones (6-1, 185), should lend adequate support at quarterback.
As usual, Norcom will be featuring a host of tailbacks. Shawn Branch, a 5-11, 180-pound senior, and Al Britt, a 5-10, 175-pound senior, are two of the primary runners.
Up front, the Greyhounds will not be lacking in size. In addition to the 6-3, 278-pound Bullock, linemen are Jonathan Franklin (320 pounds), Ervin Parker (275), William Stanley (235) and Eugene Ramsey (230). Holdovers at guard include Kevin Coles (208), Ramon Whitfield (215) and Tuguana Madison (175). At center Sparks is a 5-9, 180-pounder.
Leroy Coker and Antonio Vaughan head up a solid secondary. Newcomers showing well there include Demarko Hurdle, a sophomore, and Emmanuel Shaw, a junior.
One of the question marks about the Greyhounds is the passing game. Anthony Hawkins, a 6-1, 175-pound wide receiver, is the lone returnee who has caught a pass. He had four receptions last year.
The Norcom offense will be in new hands this year, too. Robert Jackson has taken over as offensive coordinator. Jackson was an assistant at Tallwood last year. He was on Langston's staff a few years back.
Langston has several newcomers on his coaching staff this season with Vincent Pugh (offensive line) and Leroy Williams (head junior varsity coach) the only holdovers. MEMO: Special section includes football teams for all area high schools.
NORCOM HIGH SCHOOL
Head coach: Joe Langston (22nd year, 142-74-4)
Staff: Robert Jackson, Vincent Pugh, Thomas Fuller, Rodney Woodhouse,
Buddy Sharpe, Leroy Williams, Donald Lee.
Last year: 8-2 overall, 5-2 district (tied for 2nd)
Returning starters: Jermaine Bullock, T, 6-3, 278; Shaun Sparks, C,
5-9, 180; Jonathan Franklin, T, 6-1, 320; Antonio Vaughan, CB, 5-9, 170;
Ramon Whitfield, G, 6-2, 215.
Top newcomers: Marcus Jackson, LB, 6-1, 185; Kevin Jones, QB, 6-1,
185; Lutrell Chavis, WR, 5-9, 165; Ervin Parker, T, 6-5, 275; Emmanuel
Shaw, CB, 5-10, 165; Demarko Hurdle, CB, 5-10, 170.
94 results (8-2):
Norcom 27, Churchland 19
Norcom 15, Western Branch 13
Norcom 26, Oscar Smith 0
Norcom 23, Great Bridge 7
Indian River 14, Norcom 13
Norcom 15, B.T. Washington 0
Norcom 60, Wilson 0
Deep Creek 21, Norcom 3
Norcom 29, Norview 6
Norcom 27, Granby 0
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Shaun Sparks
Shawn Branch
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION by CNB