THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508270149
SECTION: FOOTBALL '95 PAGE: Z21 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COLLEGE FORECAST
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
Recruited by Virginia and Maryland, Darren Sharper chose William and Mary in part because of its history.
Its football history.
``The history of William and Mary football,'' said Sharper, an All-American candidate at safety, ``is of always winning.''
Fortunately for William and Mary, Sharper, the type of speedy, powerful athlete the Tribe has been able to recruit lately, didn't delve far back in time.
But while the Tribe hasn't always been a powerhouse, there's no doubt they've got it going now, and have for the better part of a decade.
Since 1989, the Tribe has made the playoffs three times and passed up a fourth playoff invitation to play in a bowl game in Japan. Over the past three seasons, William and Mary has gone 26-8.
And this year, with 19 starters back from an 8-3 team, history, as it were, should go marching on.
``It's never been like this,'' said fullback Troy Keen. ``We've never had this much experience.
``Anything short of a championship this year is not good enough.''
The Tribe certainly has the talent to contend for a Yankee Conference title and return to the playoffs. William and Mary has been ranked as high as 10th in Division I-AA preseason polls.
How far the team goes will depend in large part on how it handles the loss of do-everything quarterback Shawn Knight, now in the employ of the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts.
With his quick feet, accurate arm and uncanny ability to make the right decision under pressure, Knight was the heart of the team for the past three years. He finished his career as the top-rated passer in Division I-AA history.
Knight's replacement, fifth-year senior Matt Byrne, isn't the playmaker Knight was. But he shouldn't have to be.
``Last fall when (Byrne) played it was mixed,'' coach Jimmye Laycock said. ``Some was good, some wasn't good. Some was his fault, some wasn't his fault.
``If somebody missed a block, Shawn could cover it up, Matt wouldn't.''
If things go as planned, Byrne should not have to provide much more than a steady hand on the wheel this year.
``Matt can only do what Matt can do,'' Keen said. ``If that means we'll run the ball a little more early on, that's what we'll do.''
Running the ball should not be a problem. Keen ran for 1,175 yards last year, while tailback Derek Fitzgerald, slowed by a knee injury, ran for 1,101 in 1993.
``He's more of a power back, I'm more of a slasher,'' Fitzgerald says. ``We're both good backs. You don't know who to key on.''
The dynamic duo will be running behind a veteran offensive line with four starters in the 300-pound range.
``We had everybody stay down here over the summer,'' said guard Josh Beyer, considered the best of the bunch. ``We ate pasta every night because that's all we could afford. Pasta and 99-cent Whoppers.''
On defense, just one starter was lost, middle linebacker Greg Applewhite, an honorable-mention All-American. But his replacement, Jason Miller, is a two-year starter who missed last season with a knee injury.
The outside linebackers, Stefon Moody and Jude Waddy, each made more than 100 tackles last year. The line has five players who started at least a game, and the secondary is led by Sharper, an honorable mention All-American who intercepted seven passes last year.
``We could have one of the top defenses in the country, if we stay focused,'' Sharper said. ``We're going to have a lot of head hunters.''
Add it all up, and the Tribe has the type of team that could make school history.
``The talent's all there,'' Fitzgerald said. ``If we put it together, we can be great.'' MEMO: Special Section ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Darren Sharper
Troy Keen
Matt Byrne
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