THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508250154
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Kickoff '95
Eastern District
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 107 lines
Granby pretty much defined mediocrity last season. The Comets were 5-5 overall, 2-2 in the Eastern District and never won or lost more than one game in a row.
They ranked 13th in scoring and 14th in points allowed out of 23 Group AAA teams in South Hampton Roads.
And that was with area total offense leader Anthony King at quarterback.
King, who has given an oral commitment to Penn State, is still the best thing Granby has going. Coach Dave Hudak hopes to capitalize even further on King's immense skills by playing him both ways.
King, who started in the secondary as a sophomore, will move back to cornerback.
``Anthony will be one of the best in the region at corner,'' Hudak said. ``He can flat out hit.''
King, who is 5-9 and 160 pounds and runs the 40 in 4.4 seconds, epitomizes the Comets.
Granby is quick, small and experienced. The Comets return seven starters on both sides of the ball if you count King's experience at cornerback as a sophomore.
The offense, of course, will revolve around King, who passed for 1,007 yards and rushed for 602 yards last season.
``We put him at quarterback to run and he turned out to be a really fine passer,'' Hudak said.
This year he'll read defenses better and call more audibles.
King's feet may have to carry the Comets until a host of new skill players settles in. Joe Bryant and Mack Hall replace wideouts Desmond Thornton and Roosevelt Westbrook at wide receiver.
Thornton and Westbrook combined for 63 catches last year; Bryant and Hall combined for nine receptions.
``Hall and Bryant are a little faster and both have good hands,'' Hudak said.
Newcomer T. J. Morris and Alex Sunkins are competing for the tailback slot. Morris has never played high school football and Sunkins was moved from fullback, where he gained 103 yards last season.
The new fullback is sophomore Donald Byrum, whose primary responsibility will be to lead the blocking out of the Comets' I-formation.
The pride of the offense is the line. It features a pair of four-year starters in center William Thornton (6-1, 185) and tackle Ray Martin (6-2, 250).
``Thornton has been the best blocking center in the district for two years but gets overlooked because of his size,'' Hudak said.
Other returning starters on the line are guards Antwaine Dowe (5-9, 210) and Mike Urbaniak (5-11, 225).
The defense held only Cox and Oscar Smith to fewer than two touchdowns last season.
``We've got to cut out the long drives and stay off the field,'' defensive coordinator Hank Sawyer said.
The Comets lost leading-tackler Lorenzo Thompson, but will still be strong at linebacker with Urbaniak, Dowe, Bryant and Deshawn Griffin.
Bryant made the switch from safety and should be better in pass coverage than Thompson.
On the line, Martin will play one tackle, and if Tarant Judge (6-1, 268) works out at on other side, the Comets' will be formidable against the run.
Hall, another 4.4 sprinter, joins King in the secondary.
King, whose future is secure, has one goal for the Comets.
``I could care less about how much yardage I get,'' he said. ``I want to win a championship and go as far as we can.'' MEMO: Special section includes football teams for all area high schools.
GRANBY HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Dave Hudak (10th season, 36-54)
Staff: Hank Sawyer, Jimmy Satterfield, John Cerminara, Jeff Crook,
Mike Burnett.
Last year: 5-5 overall, 2-2 district
Returning starters: Anthony King, QB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Joe Bryant,
WR-LB, 6-1, 182, Sr.; William Thornton, C-NG, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Antwaine
Dowe, G-LB, 5-9, 210, Sr.; Ray Martin, OT-DT, 6-2, 250, Sr.; Mike
Urbaniak, OG-LB, 5-11, 225, Sr.; Mack Hall, WR, 5-9, 160, Sr.; DeShawn
Griffin, LB, 5-9, 168, Jr.
Top newcomers: T. J. Morris, RB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Donald Bynum, FB,
6-0, 185, So.
94 results (5-5):
Granby 22, Wilson 19
Western Branch 55, Granby 21
Granby 35, Cox 0
Deep Creek 27, Granby 13
Granby 14, Oscar Smith 2
B.T.Washington 26, Granby 26
Granby 34, Norview 16
Lake Taylor 23, Granby 15
Granby 20, Maury 15
Norcom 27, Granby 0
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Anthony King
Wants a Comet title
William Thornton
He'll clear the way
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION by CNB