THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508310613
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Kickoff '95
Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
Nothing would make Tom York happier than getting his 50th career win at Norfolk Academy before the upcoming season comes to a close.
York, preparing for his seventh year as head coach of the Bulldogs, has a 41-15 record.
Fifty victories will come if York's club can claw its way to a perfect season. Academy was 8-1 last year.
There are no predictions from York, but he promises the Bulldogs ``will be better every game.''
The lone blemish last year was a 34-15 loss to Woodberry Forest in a Prep League game.
The high-scoring Bulldogs racked up 287 points, averaging nearly 32 points per outing. Only Woodberry Forest held Academy under 21 points.
Not bad for a team that lost its potential starting quarterback by transfer at the outset of the season.
This year Academy has a 1-2 punch at quarterback with Drew McKnight, a 5-10, 175-pounder who also can play running back and is among the area's premier defensive backs, and Tad Galloway, a 6-3, 205-pound junior who moved in at quarterback when McKnight broke his hand last year.
``We're equally happy with the play of both,'' York said.
York also is pleased with a team mix that has good-sized players among the younger newcomers and smaller veterans at most skill positions.
The Bulldogs have four starters back on offense, four on defense.
The eight lettermen, in addition to McKnight and Galloway, include running back Russell Carter, tight end/linebacker Hunter Sims, two-way tackles Jason Archbell and Clarence Nimmo, two-way end Shawn Tobias and offensive guard/linebacker Peter Darby.
Sickness has delayed Darby's appearance. McKnight also had to have dental work on wisdom teeth.
A host of newcomers are bidding for starting positions.
``We have many talented but inexperienced players,'' said York. ``As the year progresses we should become a very fine team.''
Several seniors are among the additions - Michael Willey at center, Jett Colonna at strong safety, Jon Law as an offensive and defensive back, Blake Wittmann in the secondary, Matt Payne at linebacker and Frank Baumann at fullback and defensive tackle.
The 5-9, 185-pound Baumann is a transfer from Florida. Defensively, York may use him at nose guard.
``We don't have the overall experience we had last year,'' York pointed out. ``But we have excellent leadership. We're still looking to place some players and after our scrimmages with Southampton and Poquoson we will know more about that.'' MEMO: Special section includes football teams for all area high schools.
NORFOLK ACADEMY
Head coach: Tom York (7th year, 41-15-2)
Staff: Ed Woodson, Jon Waite, Bob Needham
Last year: 8-1 overall, 5-0 in Colonial Football Association, 3-1 in
Virginia Prep League
Returning starters: Drew McKnight, QB/DB, 5-10, 175; Tad Galloway,
QB, 6-3, 205; Russell Carter, RB, 5-9, 165; Clarence Nimmo, OT/DT, 6-2,
185; Shawn Tobias, TE/DE, 5-11, 170; Peter Darby, OG/LB, 5-11, 175;
Hunter Sims, TE/LB, 5-10, 185; Jason Archbell, OT/DT, 6-0, 210.
Top newcomers: Frank Baumann, FB/DT, 5-9, 185; Michael Willey, C,
5-10, 170; Matt Payne, LB, 6-0, 170; Jett Colonna, SS, 6-1, 170.
94 results (8-1):
Academy 41, Hampton Roads 21
Academy 32, Atlantic Shores 20
Academy 21, St. Christopher's 10
Academy 42, Charles City 6
Academy 36, N-SA 14
Wood. Forest 34, Academy 15
Academy 35, Rich. Collegiate 13
Academy 21, Fork Union 19
Academy 44, Catholic 12
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Tad Galloway
Hunter Sims
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION by CNB