THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 7, 1995 TAG: 9512060223
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
THE WINDSOR football team placed five players on the All-Tri-Rivers first team, as voted by coaches.
Wayne Briggs, who set records for the Dukes in single-season and career rushing yardage and career rushing touchdowns this year, was named as a running back. The senior gained 2,319 yards and scored 36 touchdowns.
``Any time you have a guy put up those stats, he's going to mean a lot to your football team,'' said Windsor coach Tommy Austin, whose team went 10-3 and lost to Strasburg 22-13 in a Group A, Division I state semifinal last week. ``He finally started coming into his own last year. We told him last spring we were going to start putting the ball in his hands to see what he could do.''
Briggs was joined on offense by center Steven Harrell and place kicker John Ruffin, while linebacker Isaac Ricks and punter Reggie Nichols were named first team on defense.
``(Ruffin) is one of those kids you just can't say enough about,'' Austin said. ``He doesn't stand out in the statistics, but he played two or three different positions on defense and two on offense and caught some big passes for us.''
The Dukes placed nine players on the second team. Linemen Nathan Edwards and Will Jones were selected with running back David Bickley and Ruffin as a wide receiver on offense.
The Dukes defense, which Austin said was overlooked this season because of the offense's success, was represented by end Carlton Wright, lineman Parker Ramsey, linebacker Reggie Nichols and corner back Torrance Saunders.
``We really played a team, get-to-the-ball defense,'' Austin said. ``Our seven guys up front played as well as a team as you could play together.''
Surry dominated the first team selections with 11, while Sussex Central had eight. Sussex Central quarterback Gregory Gary was named offensive player of the year, while Surry's Rodney Vaughn, a linebacker, was named defensive player of the year.
Coach of the year honors went to Surry's Willie Gillus in Division I and Sussex Central's Dwight Reagan in Division 2. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Steven Harrell
Offense (C)
Wayne Briggs
Offense (RB)
John Ruffin
Offense (PK)
Isaac Ricks
Defense (LB)
Reggie Nichols
Defense (P)
by CNB