THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 8, 1995 TAG: 9509080627
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY AND PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Long : 193 lines
It is the first full Friday night of the high school football season and these are the stories we'll be following.
Shyrone Stith is out at Western Branch, but Will Robinson is back at Norview.
Norcom seeks it seventh consecutive victory over a Portsmouth team against Churchland.
Bayside seeks its fourth consecutive victory against First Colonial.
Oscar Smith seeks its first two-game winning streak since 1989 at home against Booker T. Washington.
Ocean Lakes visits Cox seeking its first two-game winning streak - ever.
In Group AA, Lakeland tries on the favorite's role in the Bay Rivers District in a non-district game against state power and archrival Nansemond River.
Stith will miss the Bruins' game against Granby while serving a one-game suspension for being ejected from last year's regular-season finale. How significant is that? He scored five touchdowns last year against the Comets.
Norview coach Robinson will be back on the sideline after sitting out last week's loss to Indian River for the same reason as Stith. He should enjoy the view. The Pilots beat the Knights, 63-7, last year. Granby vs. Western Branch
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Western Branch
Records: Granby (1-0); Western Branch (0-0)
Last year's result: Western Branch won, 55-21
Outlook: Easing the loss of Stith for Western Branch is the continued development of quarterback Daryl Walton. He hooked up with twin brother Darren for seven completions in the Bruins' two scrimmages. Karl Washington will replace Stith and Malik Cook will get some extra carries. Granby struggled past Wilson, 6-0, last Friday in the wind and rain. The Comets' Anthony King will present many more problems on a dry field. Norcom vs. Churchland
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Churchland
Records: Season openers
Last year's result: Norcom won, 27-19
Outlook: Neither team has received a lot of respect in the preseason - Norcom is tied for seventh in the South Hampton Roads poll and Churchland is unranked. But both had impressive scrimmages that have raised expectations. Norcom is suspect on offense, but 6-foot-4 junior quarterback Michael Ponds gushes with potential. The Greyhounds may have to rely on their defense early, but that's not so bad. They limited Churchland to 99 yards last year. The Truckers are still running the wishbone and broke several long runs in a scrimmage against First Colonial. Bayside vs. First Colonial
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: First Colonial
Records: Season openers
Last year's result: Bayside won, 20-17, OT
Outlook: The key matchup may be Bayside's rebuilt offensive line against First Colonial's defensive front. If the Marlins can break free at the line, their speed should produce some big gains. When First Colonial has the ball it needs to get outside with short passes and misdirection runs, avoiding the Marlins' all-district linebacker Lamont Miller. First Colonial has the area's longest winning streak at six games. Kempsville vs. Great Bridge
Site: Great Bridge
Records: Kempsville (0-0); Great Bridge (0-1)
Last year's result: Great Bridge won, 33-18
Outlook: The Wildcats were competitive in a 28-16 loss to No. 5 Tallwood last week, and that experience should serve them well against the Chiefs. Great Bridge pulled off a victory in a similar situation last year. Kempsville lost player of the year Mike Pishioneri, but has the potential to be more explosive offensively. The key for both sides may be stopping the big play. Booker T. Washington vs. Oscar Smith
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Oscar Smith
Records: BTW (0-1); Oscar Smith (1-0)
Last year's result: BTW won, 35-6
Outlook: The Bookers led top-ranked Deep Creek entering the fourth quarter last week before bowing, 20-7, and their size and speed will give the Tigers fits. Shawn Minter is a quality tailback and tight end Marlos Thomas has great hands. The Tigers must limit the big gains and force some turnovers to be in position to challenge in the fourth quarter, coach Bill Lyons says. Oscar Smith's Jamar Lewis threw three interceptions last week, but that won't stop the Tigers from trying to develop a passing attack. Norview vs. Kellam
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Kellam
Records: Norview (0-1); Kellam (0-0)
Last year's result: Norview won, 63-7
Outlook: Kellam coach Chris Worst says he hasn't had to remind his players about last year's debacle. Revenge, however, hasn't worked well as a motivator for the Knights, who have lost 25 in a row. Norview's Wayne Bacon rushed for 427 yards, an area record, in last year's game. He's gone, but the Pilots have a pair of capable runners in Larry Austin and Dwayne Potts. ``We'll mix it up,'' Norview coach Robinson said. ``I don't know if anyone will rush for 400 yards.'' The Pilots played well last week in a 13-6 loss to No. 2 Indian River. Ocean Lakes vs. Cox
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Cox
Records: Ocean Lakes (1-0); Cox (0-0)
Last year's result: Ocean Lakes won, 13-12
Outlook: Ocean Lakes stunned Cox last year, but a repeat victory won't be a surprise. The Dolphins rushed for 315 yards last week in a 30-27 win over Princess Anne. This marks the debut of Cox coach Reggie Garrett. Nansemond River vs. Lakeland
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Nansemond River
Records: Season openers
Last year's result: Nansemond River won 16-0 and 17-6
Outlook: The buzz throughout the Bay Rivers District for months has been that Lakeland should be the team to beat, so it will be interesting to see how the Cavaliers handle a favorite's role after years of playing second-fiddle to their intracity rival. Lakeland has scored just six points against Nansemond River in their last four meetings. Traditionally run-oriented Lakeland coach Ed Smither is promising more of a passing game this season, but handoffs to 1,000-yard back Reginald Wiggins should still dominate. Nansemond River has its own feature back in Clarence Skinner, but must resolve serious graduation losses on both sides of the ball. Hampton Roads Academy vs. Norfolk Academy
Time: 4 p.m.
Site: Norfolk Academy
Records: Norfolk Academy (0-0); Hampton Roads (1-0)
Last year's result: Norfolk Academy won, 41-21
Outlook: Two scrimmages have exposed the Bulldogs' inexperience, but have also shown that 215-pound sophomore fullback Claud Diggs, Russell Carter and quarterback-turned-tailback Drew McKnight may be able to do a fair impression of the Damien and D.A. Taylor-led backfield of 1994. Hampton Roads Academy has an advantage in that they've already played a game, beating Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore last Friday in a torrential downpour. Nansemond-Suffolk vs. Poquoson
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Poquoson
Records: Nansemond-Suffolk (0-1); Poquoson (0-0)
Last year's result: Poquoson won by forfeit
Outlook: The Saints' resilient performance against a fleet Atlantic Shores team last week bodes well for their chances in this matchup. Poquoson teams generally suffer from a dreadful combination: a lack of speed and size. Although this year's Islanders have some beef they still can't outrun anyone. Greenbrier vs. Isle of Wight
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Isle of Wight
Records: Greenbrier (0-1); Isle of Wight (1-1)
Last year's result: Greenbrier won 33-12
Outlook: Look for Greenbrier fullback John Moshier, who at 190 pounds is bigger than some of the Isle of Wight linemen, to pound away at the Chargers, who run the risk of getting blown out if they can't stop him inside early. The Chargers allowed more than 300 yards on the ground in a 21-0 season-opening loss to Atlantic Shores, although they rebounded nicely last week with a 46-0 victory over Kenston Forest. ILLUSTRATION: THE PICKS
Western Branch 41, Granby 21: Two of the best quarterbacks in the
region square off. The Bruins' Daryl Walton has the better
supporting cast.
Norcom 20, Churchland 14: Joe Langston knows how to defend the
option.
Bayside 21, First Colonial 10: The Marlins have too much speed.
Booker T. Washington 20, Oscar Smith 7: The Bookers gain
confidence heading into next week's showdown with Lake Taylor.
Norview 49, Kellam 7: The Pilots welcome back coach Will
Robinson.
Ocean Lakes 35, Cox 7: A happy homecoming for Jim Prince and Chad
Holland.
Great Bridge 27, Kempsville 20: The pride, the tradition, the
upset of the week.
Nansemond River 14, Lakeland 13: The Cavaliers are the popular
choice to win the Bay Rivers, but picking against the Warriors is a
tough habit to break.
Greenbrier 27, Isle of Wight 14: Gators just hope to finish the
game after having opener stopped by lightning.
Norfolk Academy 33, Hampton Roads 13: Bulldogs are the best
private school in the region until proven otherwise.
Poquoson 20, Nansemond-Suffolk 7: Saints aren't ready to compete
with a AA team, even a bad one.
by CNB