THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 14, 1995 TAG: 9511140214
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
With the start of the playoffs only three days away, Football Notebook takes a look back at some of the key issues and defining moments of the regular season as well as a peak ahead to 1996.
DISTURBING TREND OF THE YEAR: Students who transfer and the havoc they wreak. Sounds like a topic for Jenny Jones, but this is serious, folks. The best Booker T. Washington team in decades was investigated twice and ended up forfeiting five games. The school pleaded innocent, but sources suggest at the very least some coaches and administrators should have been suspicious.
An ineligible player also was uncovered at Norview, although in a dubious decision by the Eastern District council the Pilots weren't required to forfeit any games.
Rumors about ineligible players have swirled around Indian River all season, but it's been all smoke and no fire.
None of this is new, of course. Players have been transferring and teams have been forfeiting for years.
But every so often the problem explodes and leaves a devastated team in its wake.
One good thing occurred from this year's morass. The Southeastern District passed a rule that freshmen who transfer out of district to take a special course are ineligible for one year. Call it the Antwan Stukes rule. Stukes, a celebrated freshman, lives in the Great Bridge zone but was allowed to attend Indian River to take Russian. The district already has a rule requiring sophomores and juniors to sit out when transferring for the same reason.
FEEL-GOOD STORY OF THE YEAR: Princess Anne's Mike Majette finally got the recognition he deserved by smashing the all-time area rushing record. Majette, who never played on a winning team, finished his career with 4,500 yards.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Deep Creek replaced 14 starters and went 10-0 for the second consecutive year. ``We're on a very solid foundation,'' coach Jerry Carter said. ``Obviously we won't go 10-0 every year. But as long as we can keep the key components in place I don't think winning will be a major problem.''
SAME OLD STORY OF THE YEAR: Western Branch posted its fifth straight winning season without making the playoffs. Four factors had to go against the Bruins in the final weekend and all did, culminating in a draw with Kecoughtan. It began with a 38-0 loss to Deep Creek on Thursday that decided the Southeastern District title. Western Branch played without two of its starting running backs; Shyrone Stith sat out with a kidney problem and Malik Cook (Achilles tendon) was limited to defense. ``That definitely made a difference,'' Bruins coach Lew Johnston said. ``But Deep Creek played really well. It's disappointing. It's always disappointing when you lose.''
PLAY OF THE YEAR: Deon Dyer's 99-yard touchdown run for Deep Creek against Indian River. It came with only 1:02 left in the first half and gave the Hornets a 19-12 lead in a game they would go on to win 34-20. The sight of the 240-pound Dyer rumbling down the near sideline with almost no pursuit was a snapshot of the Hornets' dominance this season.
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: Lake Taylor's Ronyell Whitaker returned two interceptions and a punt for touchdowns in a 22-14 upset of then unbeaten Western Branch. He also rushed for 142 yards, but did not - as some reports said - drive the bus back to school.
BEST BALANCING ACT: Green Run scored 90 more points than anyone in South Hampton Roads but had only one player, Plaxico Burress, in the top 10 in scoring. Six Stallions scored at least six touchdowns: Larry Jordan, Lanier Washington, Larron Jones, Cedric Warren, Eddie Cuffee and Burress.
WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME: Wilson has had only two 0-10 seasons in its long, illustrious history, 1992 and 1995. Joe Ladisic was the coach both times. Word is he plans to stay on. Also Kellam athletic director Roy Ammons has given Chris Worst a vote of confidence. Worst is 1-29 in three seasons. Norcom's Joe Langston is also expected back for one more year, but look for changes at First Colonial, where Frank Webster suffered his first losing season in 29 years. Webster may stay, but some of his veteran assistants are rumored to be stepping down.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Football Notebook's 1996 Preseason Top 10.
1. Deep Creek: Hey, this was a rebuilding year.
2. Tallwood: TaRon Anderson, Gilbert Harris and a 7-0 JV team.
3. Western Branch: Call them the Walton Gang.
4. Ocean Lakes: Big, fast and experienced.
5. Kempsville: If Matt Lemn develops at QB, watch out.
6. Norview: With almost everybody back it's time to produce.
7. Indian River: Loaded at skill positions, weak on the lines.
8. Norcom: 43 returning players give Langston plenty to work with.
9. Churchland: Ken Taylor has established the program.
10. Green Run: Backups got lots of experience in blowouts. MEMO: Final statistical leaders/C6
by CNB