THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508300209
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: High School Football: Kickoff '95
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
The Lakeland football team has been waiting for its year.
During the past few seasons, the Cavaliers have watched cross-town rival Nansemond River step on them on the way to another appearance in the state playoffs.
Maybe not this year.
``We haven't had a lot of talent the last couple of years,'' coach Ed Smither said. ``We've tried to build this team by playing a lot of younger kids, so I'm hoping it will all pay off.
``The district is always tough, though. You have to go through Nansemond River and Southampton if you're going to win it,'' Smither quickly added.
Smither can count on one player going through other teams: Reginald Wiggins. The senior running back returns after rushing for more than 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons.
For the first time, Smither said the Cavaliers will have more weapons to complement Wiggins.
``He won't be the only one the other team can put a bull's-eye on,'' Smither said. ``In the past we'd go into a ballgame and everybody knew what we were doing. . . and they were going to gear everything to stop it. This year we should be a little more diversified.''
Smither hopes some of that diversity comes from Lindell Hunter, who has moved from tailback to quarterback.
``We've not been big on passing (over the last few years),'' Smither said. ``We will try to put it in the air more this year and we'll be able to run the quarterback. He'll make some mistakes early, I'm sure, but he's getting better every day.''
The addition of linebacker Diran Cowell, a transfer from Deep Creek, will help.
``No question,'' Smither said when asked if Cowell would be an impact player. ``He definitely makes us better at a spot where we did loose people.''
Cowell, along with returning starters Kelvin Bell and Antoine Riddick, make the linebacker position the anchor of a strong defense. Defensive back Eugene Saunders also returns.
Last year's five offensive linemen are back and should be able to open holes for Wiggins. Seniors Whitley Cisco and James Temple join juniors Nathan Carr, Jamie Groves and Darius Bryant.
``They all played together last year so that's a big plus for us,'' Smither said. ``If there's an area that a coach might be at an advantage with, it would be linemen returning. A lot of the other positions you can kind of make, but it takes a while to make linemen.''
The Cavaliers' experience pleases Smither, but the teams' attitude has him more excited.
``The biggest thing that I'm really impressed with is the group as a whole is really positive,'' he said. ``I don't have to go home and worry. I know they're giving me their best out here.''
Hunter said the team's attitude could go a long way in finally putting Lakeland on top of the Bay Rivers District.
``This year our attitude is really good,'' he said. ``We all push each other and try to go all out. It feels good to be out here playing with a group of guys who want to win.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Lakeland quarterback Lindell Hunter says the team's attitude could
go a long way in putting Lakeland on top of the Bay Rivers
District.
by CNB