THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508250153
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Kickoff '95
Eastern District
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
Maury coach Bob Pannenbacker remembers the good old days, back in 1993 when the Commodores boasted an 8-2 record and the Tidewater Player of the Year Charles ``Boom Boom'' Johnson, now at Hampton University.
But more fresh in Pannenbacker's mind is last year's 1-9 overall performance and 0-4 Eastern District finish.
``Pitiful,'' said Pannenbacker, back for his seventh season.
It was a year that Pannenbacker can't forget. When Maury averaged only 10.1 points per game to the oppositions' 30.6. When the defense, ranked 21st of 23 teams in South Hampton Roads', allowed its competitors 327.2 yards of offense. And when the offense averaged 127.4 yards a game on the ground and a mere 62.3 in the air.
But, said Pannenbacker, ``People don't remember what you did. They remember what you're doing.''
And, with the return of William Black, a starter at fullback and linebacker for four years, Pannenbacker says the Commodores will be doing a lot more, despite the loss of 14 players to graduation and other schools.
Black, who spent half of his career backing up Boom Boom Jackson, was the Commodores' leading rusher last season with 503 yards. The 5-foot-10 senior also caught six passes for 76-yards and Pannenbacker says it's time for him to come into his own.
``He has progressed very well,'' said Pannenbacker of Black, who also runs track. ``Our offense is going to center around him. He's a good, solid kid and a good leader. He's the kind of kid who'll let his actions do the talking.''
In addition to Black, Maury also returns Chris Stahl, a 220-pound offensive tackle and defensive end, and Jeremiah Bell, a wide receiver who caught 19 passes for 283-yards and was seventh best in area receiving with 14.9 yards a catch.
However, Bell, a 5-9, 150-pound senior, will move to halfback and may see time at quarterback, though sophomore newcomer Bobby Jordan seems to have the edge.
``Sometimes it's better to have the older kids at quarterback,'' Pannenbacker said. ``But right now, Bobby's more consistent. There's no lock on the position until we actually get out there.''
And the Commodores will be tested early.
Along with what seemed to be a rigorous Eastern District schedule last year, the Commodores have picked up Deep Creek, the Division 5 state runner-up, Beach District runner-up Tallwood and Oscar Smith, which provided Maury with its only win last year, but should prove much better under former Warwick coach Bill Lyons.
Maury's key, Pannenbacker said, will be how its starters and reserves manage to forget last season and step up their play.
``I think we're going to do much better than last year,'' he said. ``We have a better attitude and we're working much harder this year. We'll find out early where we are.
``It could be anybody's. With only five teams - and if a couple of things fall in the right place - anybody could win it.'' MEMO: Special section includes football teams for all area high schools.
MAURY HIGH SCHOOL
Head coach: Bob Pannenbacker (7th year, 41-28)
Staff: Joe Thornton, Marlon Marshall, Reid Ebert, Dan Newell
Last year: 1-9 overall, 0-4 district
Returning starters: William Black, FB/LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Chris
Stahl, T/DE, 6-1, 220, Jr.; Reggie Wyatt, G/DT, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Jeremiah
Bell, QB/HB, 5-9, 150, Sr.; Mike Ebong, C/DE, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Charlie
Brown, LB/HB, 5-8, 170, Sr.
Top newcomers: Joe Justice, C, 5-10, 255, Jr.; Harry Levin, G/T,
5-10, 205, Jr.; Antoine Whitehead, RB, 5-7, 150, Sr.; Lamonte Hurst,
RB/HB, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Greg Trottler, FB/LB, 5-10, 185, So.; Anthony
Brown, FB/LB, 5-9, 185, Jr.
94 results (1-9):
Maury 25, Oscar Smith 7
Green Run 41, Maury 6
Indian River 37, Maury 3
First Colonial 37, Maury 19
Western Branch 50, Maury 7
Norview 20, Maury 6
Princess Anne 6, Maury 13
B.T. Washington 46, Maury 7
Granby 20, Maury 15
Lake Taylor 25, Maury 0
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
William Black
Chris Stahl
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION by CNB