THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511290158
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
THE LAKELAND and Southampton football teams dominated the Bay Rivers All-District squads, with each school earning seven spots on the first team in a poll of the district coaches.
The Cavaliers' Darius Bryant, a lineman, was named Defensive Player of the Year and was joined on the first team defense by teammates Diran Cowell, a linebacker; Antoine Riddick, a defensive back; and Lindell Hunter, who was named as a kick specialist. Bryant as joined on the first team offense by teammates James Temple, a guard, and Reginald Wiggins, a running back.
``Darius was a force for us all year,'' Lakeland coach Edward Smither said of Bryant, a junior. ``He's one of the few kids that never comes off the field. He aided in our defensive play so well. (Other teams) had to double team him so he was occupying two men on every snap.''
Wiggins, the Cavaliers' all-time leading rushing and touchdown scorer, finished the season with 1,586 yards and 23 touchdowns on 210 attempts.
According to Smither, Lakeland's individual honors don't take the sting out of a 14-10 loss to Nansemond River Saturday in the Region I, Division 4 championship.
``We're real team-oriented,'' Smither said. ``They earned those things through their team. I'm sure each of them would trade it in a heartbeat to be playing this week.''
Southampton's William Brown was named offensive player of the year. The running back gained 1,323 yards on 223 carries and scored 29 touchdowns for the Indians, who went 11-1, losing the Region I, Division 3 final to Matoaca Saturday.
``William's been consistent day in and day out,'' Southampton coach Littleton Parker said. ``He's always ready to play and shows a lot of leadership. He was named captain as a sophomore - that sums it up.''
The Indians' Rico Ivey and Kenneth Williams were voted to the first team on both offense and defense. Ivey, who rushed for 1,323 yards on 152 carries and 12 touchdowns, was named as a running back and defensive back, while Williams was tapped as a tackle and linebacker.
Durane Parker was named to the first team as a defensive end.
Nansemond River's LaShawn Pugh was one of three Warriors to earn first team honors. Pugh, who has caught 15 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns, was named as a tight end and defensive end.
``(Pugh) really worked and is still working at (tight end), especially catching the ball,'' Warriors coach Jerry Varacallo said.
Defensive lineman Chris White and linebacker Chris Thomas were Nansemond River's other first team selections.
``Defense has been our forte the last four or five years,'' Varacallo said. ``We take our best athletes and load them up on defense so we usually have a few make (First Team all-district).''
Franklin's Carlandous Banks, a wide receiver, and Smithfield's Derek Carter, a punter, were the only first-team selections from their schools.
Banks caught 27 passes for 415 yards for the Broncos.
Southampton's Littleton Parker, who finished this season with a career record of 64-40, was named Coach of the Year. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Diran Cowell
Chris Thomas
Antoine Riddick
Lindell Hunter
LaShawn Pugh
Darius Bryant
Kenneth Williams
James Temple
Reginald Wiggins
William Brown
Rico Ivey
Durane Parker
Chris White
by CNB