THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 23, 1995 TAG: 9511230619
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Pressure? What pressure?
That's how the Lakeland Cavaliers are regarding Saturday's Region I, Division 4 final against in-city rival Nansemond River.
So what if:
A loss would mean the Cavaliers, in the midst of the best season in the school's six-year history, would end their tenure in Group AA without a district or region title while setting up the hated Warriors as three-time region champ?
They realize that, since both teams are stepping into the Southeastern District - one of the state's toughest Group AAA districts - next season, Saturday's game represents perhaps Lakeland's only shot at a region title this decade?
The bragging rights earned by two victories over the Warriors this season would evaporate without a victory Saturday?
It's tough to beat a good team three times, a shaky premise at best but one bought into by many of the players and coaches involved?
Coach Ed Smither recognizes that, despite an 8-3 record, seven straight victories and an offense that's scored 40 points in six of its last seven games, many fans will evaluate the job he's done this season on what happens Saturday?
Are these any reasons to feel pressure?
Depends upon whom you ask.
``Sure, the pressure's all on us, not on them,'' Smither said.
``We don't feel any pressure,'' Lakeland quarterback Lindell Hunter countered. ``We've been fighting so long to get this far, we're not going to worry about things like that now.''
Such are the divided emotions prevalent these days at Lakeland, a team which seems to have all the on-field advantages but few of the intangibles.
Meanwhile, a carefree atmosphere pervades Nansemond River (7-4), a mistake-prone, suspension-plagued team which, thanks in part to a weak Division 4 crop, finds itself in position to shatter Lakeland's finest hour.
Two-time defending regional champion Nansemond River has even managed to turn its two losses to Lakeland into something of a positive. The Warriors, mindful of the fact that Lakeland's two victories didn't lead to a district title, simply quote a line from an old Stevie Wonder song - ``You Haven't Done Nothing.''
``Yeah, I hear stuff like that from them all the time,'' said Lakeland linebacker Kevin Bell, who lives one street away from the Nansemond River zone. ``They still talk like they've got something on us.''
The prevalence of such give-and-take indicates the players wouldn't mind hooking up against each other every week. The coaches, on the other hand, think twice a year is one too many. Were it not for the money generated by the teams playing twice - Lakeland drew 1,600 paid for its game against Nansemond River two weeks ago, 600 paid for a playoff game against York the following week - the twice-a-year series would probably be abolished.
``As an athletic director, I'd like to play 'em twice,'' Smither said. ``As a coach, I'd like to play 'em once.''
Instead, Smither's going to get 'em three times.
``We just can't be thinking about Nansemond River,'' Dunn said. ``It shouldn't matter who we play. We're trying to make it to state. We've got to keep our minds set on what we have to do.''
Should the Cavaliers succeed, they'll not only get their first regional title and at least one more week of football, they'll also have something they'll be able to use around Suffolk until the 1996 season - the last word.
``If we win this game,'' Bell said, ``there's nothing they can say.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
MICHAEL KESTNER
``We don't feel any pressure,'' Lakeland quarterback Lindell Hunter
said of Saturday's game against Nansemond River.
by CNB