THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 19, 1995 TAG: 9510180160
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 134 lines
FRIDAY NIGHT the Windsor football team can quiet critics who say the Dukes aren't for real.
Windsor (6-0 overall, 1-0 Tri-Rivers) has averaged nearly 34 points a game, but its opponents have a combined record of 7-29.
There will be nothing suspect about the credentials of this week's opponent, however. Sussex Central (6-0, 0-0), is ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press Virginia Group A poll and beat Windsor last season 38-0. Playing the game on the road won't make it any easier for the Dukes, either.
``If you want to be considered one of the best, you have to go up there and beat one of the best,'' said Dukes coach Tommy Austin, whose team is ranked No. 8. ``This is a chance for us to get over that hump.''
The Dukes' offense will be needed to keep the Tigers in check, according to Austin.
``The key will be to keep the football away from them,'' he said. ``Their offense is going to score if they have it long enough.''
In another showdown, Southampton, which moved to No. 1 in the state Group AA poll after a Matoaca loss, travels to Bailey Field to play Bruton. Both teams are tied at 3-0 atop the Bay Rivers District.
A look at this week's games:
Nansemond River vs. Smithfield
Date: Oct. 20
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Nansemond River
Records: Nansemond River (3-3 overall, 2-1 Bay Rivers); Smithfield (1-5, 0-3)
Last year's result: Nansemond River won 33-0
Outlook: The Warriors will have to play better than they did in what coach Jerry Varacallo called ``an ugly win'' last week against Poquoson. Nansemond River's pass defense will be challenged by the Packers, led by quarterback Daryl Savage. The Warriors' running attack is solid with Clarence Skinner, who rushed for 136 yards on 20 carries against Poquoson.
The pick: Nansemond River 28, Smithfield 16. The Warriors put it away with a late touchdown.
Lakeland vs. Franklin
Date: Oct. 20
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Lakeland
Records: Lakeland (3-3 overall, 2-1 Bay Rivers); Franklin (0-6, 0-3)
Last year's result: Lakeland won 40-14
Outlook: The Cavaliers have grabbed some momentum in the last two weeks, outscoring opponents 96-6 after losing three straight. Reginald Wiggins leads Lakeland with 746 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. Carlandous Banks has been one of the Broncos' lone bright spots this season. Last week, the senior wide receiver returned a kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown and caught a 65-yard scoring pass.
The pick: Lakeland 35, Franklin 14. Cavaliers are too big for the Broncos.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy vs. Hampton Roads Academy
Date: Oct. 20
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Nansemond-Suffolk
Records: Nansemond-Suffolk (1-6 overall, 1-1 TCIS); Hampton Roads (2-4, 0-3)
Last year's results: Nansemond-Suffolk won 33-0
Outlook: Should be an even match, according to Saints coach Terry Crigger. Both teams are inexperienced. The Navigators' quarterback is a sophomore, Neil Doldo. The teams' only common opponent was Catholic. Nansemond-Suffolk won 8-0, while Hampton Roads lost 20-13.
The pick: Nansemond-Suffolk 12, Hampton Roads 6. Saints won a coin toss.
Southampton vs. Bruton
Date: Oct. 20
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Bailey Field in York
Records: Southampton (6-0 overall, 3-0 Bay Rivers); Bruton (5-1, 3-0)
Last year's result: Southampton won 41-6
Outlook: William Brown has gotten better each week for the Indians. The senior rushed for 254 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-28 win over previously unbeaten York last week. The Panthers are one of the district's more balanced teams. In a 53-14 rout of Franklin last week, Kaz Ashlock and Jermaine Burke rushed for 94 and 87 yards, respectively, while quarterback Keith Campbell threw for 134. Bruton is the last big hurdle in Southampton's bid for an undefeated season. The Indians' final three opponents are below .500.
The pick: Southampton 30, Bruton 22. Another last-minute touchdown for the Indians.
Windsor vs. Sussex Central
Date: Oct. 20
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Sussex Central
Records: Windsor (6-0 overall, 1-0 Tri-Rivers); Sussex Central (6-0, 0-0)
Last year's result: Sussex Central won 38-0
Outlook: Both teams had comeback wins last week. Windsor scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to beat Charles City 21-6 and Sussex Central upended King William 20-14 on a score with 1:30 remaining. Wayne Briggs continued to lead the Dukes, rushing for 173 yards on 27 carries last week. The Tigers were led by Terrance Bain and Melvin Ellis, who each rushed for over 100 yards.
The pick: Sussex Central 26, Windsor 24. Home field advantage gives the Tigers a slight edge.
Isle of Wight Academy vs. Brunswick Academy
Date: Oct. 20
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Isle of Wight
Records: Isle of Wight (3-5 overall, 2-3 Virginia Commonwealth Conference); Brunswick Academy (7-0, 3-0)
Last year's result: Brunswick won 30-14
Outlook: The Chargers' final home game will be a difficult one. Brunswick Academy is ranked No. 1 in the state Division I private school poll and features two of the conference's top four rushers.
The pick: Brunswick Academy 35, Isle of Wight 6. The Chargers' defense is overwhelmed by a much bigger offensive line.
Southampton Academy vs. Enfield Academy
Date: Oct. 20
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Enfield Academy
Records: Southampton Academy 6-1 overall and Colonial Carolina Conference); Enfield Academy (1-7, 1-6)
Last year's result: Enfield Academy won 22-6
Outlook: The Patriots have taken a nosedive since losing only one regular-season game last year. The Raiders continued to roll with a 46-0 rout of N.E.W. Academy last week. Brian Hobbs rushed for 207 yards and four touchdowns behind Michael Beale, Lewis Everett and Brandon Applewhite, who each shifted to new positions on the offensive line because of injuries.
The pick: Southampton Academy 42, Enfield Academy 14. An easy road win for the Raiders.
Last week: 8-0
Overall: 31-6
Best pick: Nansemond River 21, Poquson 3; Nansemond River won 22-3.
Worst pick: none ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Nansemond River wide receiver Leroy Skinner looks for an opening in
a recent game against Lakeland.
by CNB