THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508250152
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Kickoff '95
Eastern District
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
After just one season as the Norview head coach and a fourth place finish, Will Robinson has his Pilots winning the Eastern District title in 1995.
Forget they lost South Hampton Roads' fourth leading rusher Wayne Bacon (1,166 yards, nine TDs) to graduation. And forget that just two years ago the Pilots finished with a dismal 0-4 league record.
Remember, though, that the Pilots had the area's third best offense that averaged 210.3 yards on the ground and 93.4 yards in the air.
This year, Robinson is looking to expand on that with a cast of quality athletes.
``We're bigger, we're faster and we've increased our strength, speed and athleticism,'' Robinson said. ``We averaged over 50 kids a day in the weight room this summer.
``The kids are a year older and we feel like we've upgraded our talent across the board.''
Especially at wide receiver where Robinson has welcomed a 6-5, 205-pound running machine in junior David Martin, whom Robinson is already touting as the class of 1996's top prospect. He'll likely be the Pilot's saviour and the favorite of quarterback James Whitley's targets.
According to Robinson, Martin should have no problem making up for Bacon's departure.
``I'm really excited about him ,'' Robinson said. ``I've been coaching a long time and he's one of the best I've seen. He's got to be - by far - the best player in the district.''
So far, Martin's making good on Robinson's coachspeak. In a scrimmage against Warwick, Martin nabbed six passes for 180-yards as the Pilots came away with a 49-14 victory.
But that wasn't any surprise to Robinson.
``Nobody beat us last year,'' he said. ``We beat ourselves. This year, we're just trying to get things done.''
Whitley is back to take care of business on the offensive end, along with second team all-region place kicker Chuck Barnes (6-4, 175), who connected on 19 extra points and a field goal.
Whitley, a 6-0, 170-pound junior who will also play free safety, ran for 62-yards on 21 tries as a sophomore, scored two touchdowns and also took care of the punting.
``He's as good as any quarterback in the area,'' Robinson said. ``He throws as well as he runs.''
In addition to the Martin and Whitley connection, Robinson says the Pilots also have a vicious ground attack - despite Bacon's absence - up their sleeves with Dwayne Potts, a 6-0, 190-pound senior, and Larry Austin, a 5-10, 165-pound junior. Members of the track team along with Bacon, Potts and Austin both outran their predecessor off the football field.
``We're going to have a lot of speed out front.''
Still, Robinson admits, the Pilots have a few unanswered questions with young players at key positions.
``All we have to do is execute and cut down on the turnovers,'' he said. ``If we can cut down out the mental mistakes, we should win every ball game.'' MEMO: Special section includes football teams for all area high schools.
NORVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Head coach: Will Robinson (2nd year, 4-6)
Staff: David Heath, Alan Williams, Cliff Jones, Brian Becker
Last year: 4-6 overall, 1-3 district
Returning starters: Johnny Fisher, G, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Robert Bray, C,
5-11, 215, Jr.; Dietrick Knatt, OL/LB, 6-2, 230, Jr.; Melwood Waters, L,
6-3, 300, So.; Dwayne Potts, TB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Larry Austin, TB, 5-10,
165, Jr.; James Whitley, QB/FS, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Rich Griffin, LB, 6-0,
190, So.; Eric Hines, WR/S, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Lavar Bond, CB, 5-10, 175,
Jr.; Chuck Barnes, K, 6-4, 175, Sr.; Jason Jenkins, L, 6-0, 260, Sr.;
Rob Corprew, FB, 5-7, 215, Sr.
Top newcomers: David Martin, WR, 6-5, 205, Jr.; Joe Jordan, DB/F,
5-8, 155, Jr.; Garrion Baker, WR/DE, 6-2, 185, Jr.; Hannibal McFarland,
G, 6-4, 190, Jr.; Michael Hicks, G, 5-10, 190, Jr.; John Williams, T,
6-1, 270, Jr.
94 results (4-6):
Indian River 22, Norview 8
Norview 63, Kellam 7
Norview 49, Ocean Lakes 0
Lake Taylor 10, Norview 7
Norview 33, Great Bridge 21
Norview 20, Maury 6
Granby 34, Norview 16
Churchland 41, Norview 10
Norcom 29, Norview 6
B.T. Washington 60, Norview 20
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
David Martin
James Whitley
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION by CNB