THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 7, 1995 TAG: 9510070365
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
The Flythe family of Suffolk has the twin virtues of being both uncommonly athletic and uncommonly loyal. Three of William and LaVerne Flythe's four football-playing sons have gone on to play in college and all have elected to play for the same man: Hampton coach Joe Taylor.
The oldest, William Flythe Jr., was a hard-running fullback for Taylor at Virginia Union. The youngest, Wilbern, is a freshman defensive back at Hampton.
But it's the middle son, Darrell, who has given Taylor the most bang for his football buck. In Darrell, a junior from Nansemond River High, Taylor and his staff have gotten two Flythes in one.
First there was Darrell the fullback, 230 pounds of short yardage dynamite. As a freshman, he averaged 6.8 yards per carry in limited action. Last year, he became a goal-line specialist, scoring nine touchdowns and piling up 458 yards in just 89 carries.
Now, there's Darrell the linebacker, 230 pounds of problem-causing fury. Although he's still getting adjusted to the position, Darrell is third on the team in tackles and moving up fast.
``He gets better with each game,'' defensive coordinator Michael Costa said.
Flythe was making strides at fullback, too, but didn't flinch when asked to switch positions last spring.
In fact, he said, ``I kind of felt like I was coming home.''
Flythe was an all-state linebacker at Nansemond River, the first all-state pick in school history. He was also the starting fullback, and rushed for more than 700 yards as a senior.
Flythe liked what he knew about Taylor and Hampton, but was understandably interested when Maryland also courted him. Maryland's interest eventually waned, however, and by that time Hampton had used all of its scholarships.
Not a problem. Flythe walked on at Hampton, and soon won a scholarship. Taylor plugged him in at fullback, where the team had an immediate need. This year, the need was at linebacker.
``We needed help over there, and we knew Flythe was an all-state guy,'' Taylor said. ``It's worked out well. He's a lot more comfortable over there.''
The best thing about the shift, Costa says, is that it allows Flythe to stay on the field most of the time.
``He's very aggressive, a good hitter, and a good cover guy,'' Costa said. ``He's kind of like a quiet storm. He doesn't say a lot, but he'll come in and play like a hurricane.''
``If you can get him to say 10 words all year, you're lucky,'' Nansemond River coach Jerry Varacallo said. ``But he's one tough football player.''
In that sense, Darrell, a history major who would like to become a history teacher, takes after his brother William, whom Taylor recalls as the quiet, studious type.
William Flythe Jr., now a football coach at Amelia County High, used to bring home the inspirational and motivational readings that Taylor gives his players. His father, William Sr., began reading them and using them in his own business.
Since then, William Flythe Sr. has been a Taylor fan. The feeling is mutual.
``He's kind of wanted his sons to be wherever we are,'' Taylor said. ``We've enjoyed all three of them. If they have any more, we'll take them, too.''
After all, you can never have too many Flythes around. ILLUSTRATION: Darrell
Flythe
by CNB