THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 12, 1995 TAG: 9510110199
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
For most high school running backs, 186 yards rushing in one game constitutes a career night.
For Wayne Briggs of Windsor, it's an off night.
When Briggs was held to 186 yards on 12 carries in last week's 44-0 rout of Mathews, it ended a string of three consecutive games of 200-plus yards for the Dukes' senior.
Briggs' season low of 150 yards on 22 carries came in the opener against Cumberland. After that he tore up Franklin for 252 yards, ran over Middlesex for 240 and stormed past King and Queen for 214.
His five-game total of 1,042 yards (208 per game) is easily the highest in Western Tidewater and South Hampton Roads.
The 5-foot-8, 217-pound Briggs has also scored 17 touchdowns in leading the Dukes to a 5-0 record and a No. 9 ranking in the Associated Press Group A Virginia poll going into tomorrow's game against Charles City.
``I was planning on having a good year, but I just wanted to be productive for the team,'' said a quiet, unassuming Briggs, who rushed for 1,276 yards and earned second-team Tri-Rivers District honors last season. ``It feels pretty good so far to know that I'm doing better than I did last year. My guys are giving me good blocks and opening holes for me.''
His ``guys'' include offensive linemen Parker Ramsey, Steven Harrell, Nathan Edwards, Will Jones; fullback David Bickley and tight end Reggie Nichols. All are seniors except Bickley, a junior.
``The other 10 guys out there are doing their job,'' Windsor coach Tommy Austin said. ``Wayne's gotten a lot of yardage on his own, but they get him through the line of scrimmage and then it's up to him.
``Without those guys it wouldn't be happening. We run left, right and up the middle, so we need all of them.''
One thing Windsor hasn't needed is a passing game.
``Normally, I like to be more balanced,'' said Austin, whose team has only thrown 22 passes this season. ``We can pass, but we just haven't had to use it.''
Windsor's offense has been so dominating that Briggs frequently only plays three quarters.
``I'm not going to leave him in the game to get 200 yards even if he's close if we don't need him,'' Austin said. ``There's no need to take a chance and let him get hurt.''
Said Briggs, ``When I come out, it gives the younger guys a chance to play, so I don't mind at all.''
Unfortunately for other teams, Briggs, who averages 8.3 yards a carry, also returns kickoffs and is the starting free safety on defense.
``Originally, we didn't plan to use him (to return kicks),'' Austin said. ``But we felt like with a weapon like that we've got to get the ball in his hands as much as possible.''
That's just fine with Briggs.
``I love doing that because it gives me a chance to break one,'' said Briggs, who returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown against Middlesex. ``It takes a lot out of you, but I'll do what I have to for us to win.''
Colleges have begun to notice Briggs.
``He's gaining more and more attention as the year goes on,'' Austin said. ``I think they wanted to see how he did his senior year, but right now he's answering those questions.''
Briggs has heard from Virginia, Maryland, Richmond and James Madison.
``I have a high regard for going to college,'' said Briggs, who has met the NCAA's academic qualifying standards. ``My ultimate goal is to play at the Division I level and compete with the big boys. That always gives me motivation.''
Briggs abandons his reserved personality when asked if he thinks he can play Division I football. ``Definitely,'' he said. ``It depends on if they want me.''
For now, Briggs has other goals.
``I want to concentrate on having a good season,'' he said. ``First, I want us to win the district, region and then go to state.'' ILLUSTRATION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Wayne Briggs of Windsor has a five-game total of 1,042 yards rushing
- the most of any local back.
by CNB