THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 19, 1995 TAG: 9510170113
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, COMPASS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
UPHILL AND DOWNHILL. No other phrase better describes the Booker T. Washington football program's trials and tribulations over the last decade.
And Bookers head coach Larry Stepney wouldn't have it any other way.
``We have to climb a mountain to get to the Eastern District championship,'' Stepney said of the feat his team has only accomplished once since 1984. ``There's four steps we have to take if we want to reach the playoffs - Lake Taylor, Maury, Norview and Granby.''
Much to the surprise of area coaches who second-guessed the Bookers because of the graduation of their two-man scoring machine in Michael Basnight and Michael Beverly, the Bookers are halfway up the mountain and not about to lose ground without a fight.
Booker T. Washington has rolled to a 2-0 district lead and has made its presence felt in the area as South Hampton Roads' sixth-ranked team.
And, they've done it without any brand-name players.
``We only lost those two kids,'' said Stepney, who has upped his record to 19-14 in his four-year tenure. ``We didn't lose the whole team. We don't need big name players. We need the Joneses, the Perrys, the Whitehursts and the Minters. We need all the names.''
Not only do the Fightin' Bookers have a stronghold on the district - they boast the league's longest streak, winning seven straight contests dating back to 1993 - but they're also leaving a dent in area leader boards.
Booker T. Washington is second in scoring defense and has allowed opponents only 8.7 points per game. Stepney's team has improved last year's ninth-ranked defense to the area's best, allowing the competition just 127.9 yards of total offense with 58.7 yards on the ground and 69.2 in the air.
``We have a pretty good defense,'' Stepney said. ``They're playing the system to perfection. Again, we don't have the big names. The players are just getting the job done.''
The defense has played a key role in the Bookers' 5-1 area record - Booker T. is only outscoring its opponents by a margin of a touchdown.
But the offensive effort has been more effective than anyone expected with the absence of Basnight and Beverly.
``We were overlooked offensively,'' Stepney said. ``But we knew we had (quarterback) Dominic Perry sitting in our camp. That kid has a riffle arm for a sophomore.''
Perry ranks No. 12 in the area in passing, completing 25 of 70 attempts for five touchdowns and 409 yards.
Shawn Minter has teamed up with the sophomore quarterback to commandingly fill the void left by last year's dynamic duo. The senior tailback ranks sixth in area rushing with 601 yards on 109 tries, good for 5.5 yards a carry and five touchdowns.
Marlos Thomas is just outside the top 10 in receiving. He's caught 12 passes for 178 yards and is second in the area with four TD catches.
``These are kids we've been working with for four years,'' Stepney said. ``They came in when we came in. They've been learning a system and are putting it in play now. They're still learning how to play football. They're already athletes.''
``I told them, `This is your year. Start playing like seniors - stop talking the talk and walk the walk.' '' ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Larry Stepney
His Bookers are 2-0 in the district
Shawn Minter
He has rushed 601 yards this season
by CNB