THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510060159
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 27 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Long : 117 lines
Can anyone stand in Deep Creek's path to a seventh city championship in 10 years? Or are the Hornets just too strong?
The Chesapeake Middle School League football season opened Wednesday, and defending city champion Deep Creek picked up right where it left off with an 8-0 win over Oscar Smith, giving coach Gene Babb his 50th career win. In his 12 seasons, Babb's teams have lost just nine games.
Western Branch's only loss last year was to Deep Creek, but the team rebounded to win its last four games and extended that streak to five games with an 8-6 win at Crestwood Wednesday.
After going 2-3 last season, Indian River started the 1995 campaign with a bang by defeating Great Bridge, 28-12.
Below is a capsule look at all the CMSL teams, in order of last year's finish.
DEEP CREEK
Coach: Gene Babb.
Assistants: Steve Plude, Bill Cumbie.
Last year: 5-0, city champions.
Top returners: Shawn House, QB, 8th; Chris Peterson, C/LB, 8th; Ricardo Phillips, T, 8th; Isaiah Hinton, T, 8th; Tim Johnson, DE, 8th.
Top newcomers: Willie Smith, HB, 8th; Marc Mills, HB, 8th; Shareef Billups, FB/LB, 8th; Brian Atkins, G/LB, 7th; Keith Sears, G, 7th.
Outlook: Although the Hornets aren't as big as last year, Babb had his pick of players when 120 kids came out for the team. ``We've got pretty good speed and an experienced quarterback'' in House, Babb said. ``The defense isn't that big, but we're quick.'' Deep Creek is probably the most respected middle school program in the city, but that means a win over the Hornets would make any team's season. Babb doesn't worry. ``A couple of coaches have said Deep Creek is the team to beat,'' he said. ``If they want to think that, it's fine with me.''
WESTERN BRANCH
Coach: Ricky Bright.
Assistants: Mike Santomauro, Lee Phelps, Chad Owen.
Last year: 4-1
Top returners: Jimmy Istre, OG/NG, 8th; Jimmy Finlay, C, 8th; Ben Parker, OT, 8th; Ashanti Perry, TE, 8th.
Top newcomers: Shawn Hobbs, FB/FS, 8th; Jeffrey Hobbs, OG, 7th; Carlton Bitgood, QB, 8th; Decarlos Benton, WB, 7th; Lilburn Hurdle, DE, 8th; Jacarro Cherry, DT, 7th.
Outlook: The Bruins were huge last year with Marvin Urquhart on the line, but he's gone to the high school. The Hobbs brothers transferred in from Indian River, and Western Branch might have a battle for quarterback when Patrick Phelps returns from injury to challenge Bitgood for the starting nod. Although the team's only loss last year was to Deep Creek in the season opener, Santomauro says the Bruins aren't gunning for a rematch. ``We'll focus on each game as it comes,'' he said. ``If you look forward to Deep Creek, you're in trouble.''
GREAT BRIDGE
Coach: Gary Obenour.
Assistants: John Irving, John Barbarese, Dave Danner.
Last year: 3-2
Top returners: Coe Kendrick, FB/LB, 8th; Andrew Brooks, TE/S, 8th; Nathaniel Huggins, TE/OLB, 8th.
Top newcomers: James English, QB, 8th; Dave Swift, C, 7th.
Outlook: The Wildcats lost a lot of players to the high school junior varsity team, so they're ``just trying to be competitive this year,'' said Obenour. Great Bridge runs a pro-set offense and could be one of the better passing teams as the season unfolds if English develops his skills. The Wildcats are a bit on the small size, but Obenour said his players make up for it with their attitude. ``They've got a lot of enthusiasm. They're working very hard and will get better as the year goes on.''
INDIAN RIVER
Coach: Wiley Lee.
Assistants: James DeLoatch, Bo
Holley.
Last year: 2-3
Top returners: John Tolson, OL/DL, 8th; Lamar White, OL/DL, 8th; Robert Wilson, OL/DL, 8th; Jason McCall, DB, 8th.
Top newcomers: Duron Bryant, RB, 8th; Corey Wilson, LB, 8th.
Outlook: At Indian River, the team is the thing, and the players aren't allowed to forget it. ``There are no superstars here; you will never be better than the team,'' said Lee. The Braves seem to believe in that philosophy as well. ``They will or they won't play,'' Lee said. Indian River's line is a strength, with three starters returning.
OSCAR SMITH
Coach: Kerry Harper.
Assistants: Doug Yates, Tommy McMillan, Les Freeman.
Last year: 1-4
Top returners: Sherrod Covil, QB, 8th; Johnny Cuffee, OL, 8th; Lorenzo Thompson, OL, 8th; Terron Smith, OL/DL, 8th.
Top newcomers: Chris Linton, FB, 8th; Lance Latham, WR, 8th; Asa Parker, WB, 7th; Joe McClelland, K, 8th.
Outlook: The Tigers are operating under a new system, one that is more compatible with the high school program. ``It's one of those years where we've got to wait and see what happens,'' Harper said. ``We're trying to be positive. We're very small, but we've got a lot of decent athletes.'' Harper says McClelland is a legitimate field goal kicker, a rarity for middle school.
CRESTWOOD
Coach: Chris Brumm.
Assistants: Mike Branich, Steve Denbow, Tim Sitterson.
Last year: 0-5
Top returners: Dwayne Eason, QB, 8th; Justin Powell, TB, 8th; Aubrey Ricks, CB, 8th; Richard Byrd, OG, 8th.
Top newcomers: J.C. Baker, WB, 8th; Greg Gill, FB, 8th; Cory Rowson, TE, 8th.
Outlook: The Falcons gave their stadium a facelift with a new coat of paint, and rookie coach Brumm hopes the change filters down to his team's fortunes as well. ``This is a dream season, because we can't do any worse,'' he said. The offensive line averages 200 pounds, with four players topping the scales at 220. At 6-1, 250, Rowson will be tough to bring down. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Deep Creek running back Willie Smith eludes some Oscar Smith
defenders.
by CNB