THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 9, 1995 TAG: 9512090485
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
Indian River coach Bob Parker seemingly couldn't have picked a more suitable opponent as the Brraves seek their first state football championship today at 1:30 against C.D. Hylton in Manassas.< Hylton (10-3) runs the ball 90 percent of the time and Indian River (11-2) is holding teams to 66.3 yards a game on the ground in the playoffs.
The Bulldogs aren't overpowering up front and according to Parker's scouts can't match the Braves in team speed.
``I said before we lost to Pulaski (in 1993) that I didn't think a one-dimensional team could beat us,'' Parker said. ``But I don't see Hylton as a Pulaski.''
Hylton's strengths are its coach, Bob Brown, and workhorse tailback Byron White. This is Brown's third trip to the state final. The first two were with Potomac and ended in losses to Wilson in 1989 and to West Potomac in 1990.
White, a 5-foot-9, 183-pound senior, has rushed for 1,611 yards and 20 touchdowns. He had runs of 53 and 50 yards in last week's 21-14 victory over Varina in the semifinals.
``When he gets tackled, nine times out of 10 he gets up before the tackler,'' Brown said. ``He breeds enthusiasm and spirit.''
Parker recognizes White's contributions, but isn't ready to anoint him all-state.
``I don't see him being better than (Tallwood's TaRon) Anderson or (Western Branch's Shyrone) Stith or some others we've faced, hopefully,'' Parker said.
Four backs have rushed for 100 yards against the Braves this season: Deep Creek's Deon Dyer (16 carries, 143 yards) and Angelo Sykes (14-145), Stith (23-129) and Oscar Smith's Kelvin Bethea (15-108).
Bethea did it in the last regular-season game and it was his 65-yard touchdown run right before halftime that prompted Parker to challenge his defense to play batter.
In the playoffs the Braves have held Tallwood, Green Run and Lake Braddock to an average of 2.6 yards per carry.
Hylton has played stout defense, as well. The Bulldogs haven't allowed more than 14 points in a game all season.
But Varina gained 263 yards - 138 rushing - and 16 first downs last week. The Blue Devils from Richmond faced third-and-goal at the 3 with a chance to tie in the fourth quarter but were stopped cold.
Hylton's defensive ringleaders are linebackers Sean Farrell (5-8, 160) and free safety Marcus Farley (5-8, 140).
``We don't have any great athletes on defense except Farley,'' Brown said. ``The kids just work hard and do what they're told to do.''
Brown is concerned about Indian River's explosiveness.
``We beat Varina with our speed,'' Brown said. ``But our speed is not going to be better than Indian River's speed.''
Indian River is averaging 214 yards rushing in the playoffs, 50 more than in the regular season. Much of that can be traced to Boyd, who has been over 100 yards in all three games.
Hylton has assigned strong safety T. J. Washington to shadow Boyd.
``Playing against Indian River takes more discipline because you have to stick with your responsibility,'' Washington told The Washington Post. ``If you don't, the whole thing can blow up because this team is capable of making big plays.''
It is the first state final for Hylton and for Indian River. It is, though, the fifth championship appearance in the past seven years for a Southeastern District team. Wilson won in 1989 and 1991 and Norcom in 1993. Deep Creek lost to Patrick Henry-Ashland last year. Getting There
To Stonewall Jackson High, take I-95 North to Rt. 234 exit. Turn left on 234 and go about 18 miles. Turn Left on Sudly Road and go about 2 miles. There are two lefthand turn lanes onto Rixlew Lane. Go left and the school is about 300 yards on the right. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by L. Todd Spencer
Quarterback James Boyd topped 100 rushing yards in all three playoff
wins. One more victory gives Indian River its first state football
title.
by CNB