THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 27, 1995 TAG: 9510250131
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
WHEN WESTERN BRANCH travels to Indian River tonight in a key Southeastern District matchup, all eyes will be on one guy.
OK, two.
The quarterbacks.
As the man who handles the ball on every offensive play, the quarterback's performance is key to a team's success. If the passing game is critical to a team - as it is for both Indian River and Western Branch - the outcome of any matchup could hinge on whether the quarterback is on his game.
``Both teams are going to be passing,'' said Indian River coach Bob Parker.
For the Braves, the man of the moment is James Boyd, a 5-11 junior who is leading South Hampton Roads in passing yardage. Western Branch counters with Daryl Walton, a 5-11 senior with exceptional arm strength and accuracy.
Neither player is coming off his best performance. Third-ranked Indian River needed a last-gasp effort from Boyd to defeat Great Bridge 7-0 with six seconds left in the game. Western Branch fell to sixth in the South Hampton Roads poll after Walton threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in a 22-14 loss to Lake Taylor.
Although Boyd averages more than 16 yards per completion, his strength lies in his ability to run the ball out of the pocket. Parker occasionally substitutes freshman Antwan Stukes at quarterback and moves Boyd to a running back position, where he has amassed 307 yards and nine touchdowns to go with his six scores through the air.
Walton, who is on pace to throw for more than 1,000 yards for the second straight year, is a prototype for a stand-in-the-pocket passer. He's second in the area in touchdown passes (10) and third in passing yardage (781), but he has only rushed for 26 yards.
Indian River is tops in the area in passing with 137.6 yards per game; Western Branch is third with 108.7 yards. As talented as Boyd and Walton are, they don't do it alone.
The Braves adhere to the idea that variety is the spice of life. Ten different players have caught a pass for Indian River. Three have at least 10 catches.
Anthony Cason, with 16 receptions for 202 yards, is among the area leaders. Sam Hardy is also a favorite receiver, with 265 yards on 12 catches. David Selby has 10 receptions for 120 yards.
Western Branch has a different strategy. By far, Walton's favorite target is his twin brother, Darren, who is leading the area in receiving with 477 yards on 33 receptions, a 14.5 average.
``Darren combines great speed with great hands, and he runs such a good pattern that he gets himself open,'' said Western Branch coach Lew Johnston.
As for the twin connection, Johnston says that it is an intangible.
``I think it's a factor. They've been throwing the ball around in the back yard for 12 years.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Western Branch quarterback Daryl Walton, left, scrambles from Norcom
defenders earlier this year.
Indian River's James Boyd leads the region in passing yardage.
by CNB