THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508270266
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: KICKOFF '95
BEACH DISTRICT
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
The best story in South Hampton Roads last season was Tallwood. Two years after going 0-10 the Lions started 6-0 and went on to make the Division 6 playoffs.
Now with 15 starters back, the talk at Tallwood is of championships.
``That's what the kids are thinking and we've got a shot,'' coach Ken Barto said. ``We had a great off-season and we're further along offensively and defensively than last year.''
The Lions' strength last season was defense. They ranked fourth in South Hampton Roads in total defense and fourth in scoring defense.
The defense again will be stout, led by pass rushing ends Alvin Wilson and John Joseph.
But the glamour unit this season could be the offense, led by sophomore tailback TaRon Anderson (6-0, 180) and rapidly improving junior quarterback Gilbert Harris (6-1, 198).
Anderson (6-0, 180) rushed for 1,055 yards and 16 TDs as a freshman.
``He's quicker and faster,'' Barto said.
Barto is predicting a breakout year for Harris, who completed only 33 percent of his passes for 547 yards and four TDs last year.
``We've set a goal for him of more than 2,000 yards passing and running,'' Barto said. ``He's capable. He had a lot of dropped passes last year and we've got four good receivers now.''
Joseph was the Lions' leading receiver last season with only nine catches.
Wilson, who also plays wingback and rushed for 198 yards last season, will be utilized more as a receiver.
Other targets for Harris are tight end Waymon Favors, who moved from split end where he caught five passes for 126 yards, and split ends Travis Mayczk (6-4, 170), Damien McGee (6-4, 175) and sophomore Joshua Ruffin (6-0, 165).
Senior guard Ken Myers (5-11, 215) is a four-year starter and is joined on the line by tackle Amos Rawls (6-4, 255), guard Brian Harris (6-0, 200) and center Chris Machut (6-1, 200). Mike Mooney (6-0, 250) and Nick Bolton (6-1, 240) are competing for the second tackle slot.
Defensively, Tallwood will play the same style that helped Wilson make 19 sacks.
``If we can keep everybody healthy we're going to be very, very aggressive,'' Barto said.
Injuries are a concern with as many as eight players starting both ways.
That includes Anderson, who didn't play defense last year but will start at free safety.
``He's a great athlete and we've got to put our 11 best on the field,'' Barto said.
Rawls, Myers and Quentin Warrick are the front three. Derrick Daniels and Joe Kerr are the linebackers.
Mayzck and McGee are the tallest pair of cornerbacks in the region. Waymon Favors is the strong safety. MEMO: [Special Section includes football teams for all area high schools.]
ILLUSTRATION: Taron Anderson
1,055 yards, 16 TDs
Ken Myers
Four-year starter
TALLWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Ken Barto (4th season, 9-22)
Staff: Thad Harold, Gene Beck, Jim Young, David Swanger, John
Keppel, Richard Berry
Last year's record: 7-3, 6-3; Lost in Eastern Region Div. 6
semifinals
Returning starters: Gilbert Harris, QB, 6-1, 198, Jr.; TaRon
Anderson, RB, 6-0, 180, So.; Alvin Wilson, FB-DE, 5-11, 195, Sr.;
John Joseph, TE-DE, 6-2, 212, Sr.; Nick Bolton, OT-DT, 6-1, 240,
Sr.; Brian Harris, OT, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Chris Machut, 6-1, 200, Sr.;
Ken Myers, OG, 5-11, 215, Sr.; Amos Rawls, OT, 6-4, 255, Sr.; Travis
Mayzck, 6-4, 170, Jr.; Mike Mooney, OT-NG, 6-0, 250, Sr.; Mike
Derrick Daniels, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Waymon Favors, DB, 6-0, 195, Sr.;
Joe Kerr, LB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Quentin Warrick, 6-3, 200, Jr..
Top newcomers: Damon McGee, DB, 6-4, 180, So.; Sherwin Joseph,
OT, 6-0, 300, So.; Louis Floyd, 5-9, 175, So.; Justin Ruffin, DB,
5-10, 170, So.
94 results (7-4):
Tallwood 14, Great Bridge 3
Tallwood 21, Princess Anne 7
Tallwood 29, Salem 10
Tallwood 21, Cox 0
Tallwood 35, Kellam 0
Tallwood 47, Ocean Lakes 0
Kempsville 17, Tallwood 0
Tallwood 14, Bayside 7
Green Run 37, Tallwood 19
First Colonial 20, Tallwood 15
Kempsville 6, Tallwood 3
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION by CNB