THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 22, 1995 TAG: 9509200191
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
THERE APPEAR TO BE six key games remaining in deciding which team will wear the champion's crown in Southeastern District football.
The first comes tonight when Churchland plays at Western Branch. The Truckers already are 2-0 in league play. Western Branch is 2-0 overall but 1-0 in the conference race.
The other five blue chip games are:
Sept. 29 - Deep Creek at Churchland
Oct. 13 - Indian River at Deep Creek
Oct. 27 - Western Branch at Indian River
Nov. 3 - Indian River at Churchland
Nov. 10 - Deep Creek at Western Branch
The Friendship Cup is at stake in this Churchland-Western Branch matchup, which has the teams meeting with unblemished records for the first time in recent memory.
Western Branch leads this series, 19-8-2.
The Bruins had taken control of this rivalry before the Truckers pulled off a victory, 29-28, last year. Western Branch had not lost to Churchland since 1984.
``Everybody knows the importance of this one,'' said Churchland coach Ken Taylor. ``The winner sits up there with Deep Creek and Indian River atop the district.''
Taylor says the Bruins ``probably have one of the toughest offenses we will face this year.'' He's also aware that Western Branch has some new looks on defense.
``We expect they have been working to try and take away our options,'' added Taylor. ``But maybe we can show them a few other things.''
Taylor is more concerned about a flawless operation from his offense. There were three turnovers and a blocked kick in last week's victory over Great Bridge.
Western Branch coach Lew Johnston was pleased with a reversal of past happenings against Norcom a week ago. The Bruins topped the Greyhounds, 20-13.
``The past few years we have made good comebacks but came up short against Norcom,'' he pointed out. ``This time we got out front. Norcom made the comeback but came up short.''
The Truckers already have shown several of their backs are capable of game-breaking performances. In the opening win over Norcom, Aaron Bailey rushed for 111 yards in nine carries. Against Great Bridge, Bailey sprained his ankle on his only carry in the first quarter and sat out the rest of the game.
The slack was picked up by Termaine Sessoms, who gained 105 yards on seven carries, and the Truckers racked up 473 yards rushing. They averaged nearly 13 yards per carry.
After sitting out the opener, Western Branch's Shyrone Stith reeled off 112 yards rushing against Norcom. One of his two touchdowns came on a 51-yard scamper.
This was the first time in five years that backs have had 100-yard rushing efforts in two consecutive games against the Greyhounds.
In other games tonight, Wilson plays at Great Bridge in a collision between two 0-3 teams, and Norcom, also looking for its first win in three outings, meets Oscar Smith at Churchland.
Deep Creek and Indian River play outside the conference. The Hornets are home to Granby and the Braves go against Maury. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JIM WALKER
In the game against Great Bridge, Termaine Sessoms, left, picked up
the slack for Churchland, gaining 105 yards on seven carries, and
the Truckers racked up 473 total rushing yards against the
Wildcats.
by CNB