THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 14, 1995 TAG: 9510140412
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
When Aaron Sparrow and Hugh Hunter played together at Wilson High School, Hunter got in plenty of practice chasing his All-American teammate. But lowering the boom was not allowed.
``He'd grab me, pull me to the side and say, `You're lucky,' '' Sparrow recalls.
Sparrow wasn't as lucky a year ago, when Hampton and Norfolk State met in the annual ``Battle of the Bay.''
Norfolk State's quarterback spent much of the afternoon running for his life. Hunter, Hampton's star defensive end, did much of the chasing, sacking Sparrow four times.
He helped his friend to his feet each time.
``I kind of felt sorry for him down there like that,'' Hunter said. ``I felt it was my `obligation' to help him up.
If Hunter spends much time helping Sparrow to his feet today, when Norfolk State and Hampton meet at Foreman Field, the Spartans will be in for another long afternoon.
For Norfolk State, keeping Hunter at bay is one of the keys to winning ``The Battle of the Bay.''
``He called me a couple days ago in my dorm room, talking mess,'' Sparrow said. ``He's a hard-nosed player, he's tough, he's very aggressive.
``He's also very kind. No matter what happens, we're going to continue to be the best of friends.''
Hunter, 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, set a school record last season with 19 sacks. He has just six this year but is second on the team with 43 tackles, making him an uncommonly active defensive lineman.
``He's the best defensive end I'll play against all year,'' said Norfolk State offensive tackle Kenny McDaniel, the man primarily responsible for staying between Hunter and Sparrow this afternoon.
McDaniel, considered Norfolk State's best offensive lineman, was coming off a knee injury a year ago and was shifted to right guard against Hampton, which was his first game back.
McDaniel is 100 percent now, and that could make life easier for Sparrow.
Which would make things tougher on Hampton. Sparrow has already thrown for 2,091 yards this year. Given time, he can pick a defense apart.
``That matchup is key,'' Hampton coach Joe Taylor said. ``A big part of pass defense is putting pressure on the quarterback.''
McDaniel should have some help with Hunter, Norfolk State coach Darnell Moore said.
``I know what he doesn't like,'' said Moore, who coached both Hunter and Sparrow at Wilson. ``He doesn't like the tight end on his side of the field.''
The Spartans didn't use a tight end last season. They also made no pretense of running the ball, meaning Hampton could tee off and come after Sparrow on virtually ever play.
``We didn't have any kind of running game to balance it last year,'' said center Stephen Edmonds. ``Hugh sacked Aaron a lot. But as an offensive line, that's a motivational factor. We take it personally and don't want it to happen again.''
Hunter takes it personally, too. After a press conference on Wednesday, Sparrow walked up to Hunter and playfully socked him in the chest.
``I'll get you back,'' Hunter deadpanned.
Later, he added: ``I hope he can continue on with his career and be successful. But first, he's got to get through us.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]
Aaron Sparrow, Norfolk State
He's passed for 2,091 yards this fall.
Hugh Hunter, Hampton
A thorn in NSU's side last year with 4 sacks.
by CNB