THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508260106
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Kickoff '95
Eastern District
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
There are two ways to view Lake Taylor.
The optimist sees 15 starters returning from a team that went 6-4 and predicts greatness.
The pessimist sees only 28 players in uniform, with nine starting both ways, and cringes at every collision.
Titans coach Bert Harrell, entering his 16th season, sees both views very clearly.
``This team could win a lot of games,'' Harrell said. ``But we just can't afford injuries.''
The wild card in the Titans' playoff chances is the schedule. Lake Taylor plays non-district games against Deep Creek, Indian River and Western Branch, which were a combined 29-9 last season.
``We could have a damn good team and go 5-5,'' Harrell said.
The Titans should do better than that, but their playoff hopes probably hinge on winning the Eastern District. The Eastern hasn't advanced two teams to post-season play since 1989.
Lake Taylor's weakness last season was offense. They averaged only 16.3 points per game, 15th in South Hampton Roads and fourth in the Eastern District.
This team figures to be more potent, starting with quarterback Mario Elliott. He's a three-year starter with good size - 6-2, 200 - and versatility - he plays free safety and handles all the kicking.
Elliott rushed for 404 yards and passed for 329 last season. Harrell promises the Titans, traditionally a running team, will pass more this season. The Titans averaged less than seven pass attempts per game last season, but threw 18 times in their first scrimmage.
Brian Kelly (6-3, 185) and Darnell Whitaker (6-3, 220) each caught eight passes last season and both are back. Kelly has moved from wide receiver to running back, but that could be temporary. Whitaker is one of two tight ends the Titans' utilize in the veer.
Lake Taylor does a lot of shifting and Kelly could start in the backfield and wind up outside, even if he stays at running back.
The leading rusher should be sophomore Ronyell Whitaker, a nephew of world lightweight boxing champion Sweetpea Whitaker. Whitaker rushed 70 times for 421 yards and returned two kicks for TDs last season.
``He's a dodger with great peripheral vision,'' Harrell said.
A veteran offensive line is led by guard Brian Locklear, a four-year starter. Other returning starters are tight end LePortre Jasper, tackle Ben Cuffee (5-8, 260) and guard Carlos Harper (5-8, 205).
Defense kept Lake Taylor in the district race last year and again will be a strength. The Titans allowed only 30 points in four district games, and with eight starters back, they should only be better.
The most notable change has Locklear moving to linebacker from nose guard.
The secondary of Ronyell Whitaker and Shawn Newby at the corners and Elliott and Kelly at the safeties is top notch. MEMO: Special section includes football teams for all area high schools.
LAKE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL\ Coach: Bert Harrell (16th season, 93-35-4)
Staff: Billy Morrow, Andy Anderson, Ken Whitely, Scott Burnett
Last year: 6-4 overall, 3-1 district
Returning starters: Mario Elliott, QB-DB-K, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Brian
Kelly, WR-DB, 6-3, 185, Sr.; Ronyell Whitaker, RB-DB, 5-10, 175, So.;
Darnell Whitaker, TE-DE, 6-3, 220, Sr.; LePortre Jasper, TE-LB, 6-1,
175, Jr.; Ben Cuffee, OT-DT, 5-8, 260, Sr.; Brian Locklear, OG, 5-8,
175, Sr.; Carlos Harper, OG-DT, 5-8, 205, Sr.
Top newcomers: Joe Carter, RB, 5-9, 160, Jr.; Ryan Sutton, OT,
6-4-250, So.; Ricky Mitchell, DE, 6-1, 180, Jr.
94 results (6-4):
Lake Taylor 30, Salem 7
Wilson 19, Lake Taylor 14
B.T. Wash. 8, L. Taylor 6 (OT)
Lake Taylor 7, Indian River 0
Lake Taylor 10, Norview 7
Deep Creek 21, Lake Taylor 0
Lake Taylor 25, Churchland 7
W. Branch 36, Lake Taylor 21
Lake Taylor 23, Granby 15
Lake Taylor 25, Maury 0
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Brian Locklear
Mario Elliott
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION by CNB