THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605100210
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
SEVERAL MEMBERS of the 1993 state championship football team at Norcom High School have hopes of a reunion in the near future - at the Naval Academy.
Kevin Coles is headed directly to the Academy and teammates Ramon Whitfield and Jermaine Bullock soon may be joining him. Whitfield will first attend the Academy prep school.
Bullock also expects to go there although he planned a weekend visit to West Point. He has options of attending either of the service academies.
Already at the Naval Academy is Kevin Mapp.
All four players were on the undefeated 1993 Norcom team. Mapp graduated last year and the others will be graduating this year.
Assistant Army coach Greg Gregory was a visitor to Norcom Wednesday, hoping to convince Bullock that he should pick West Point.
Gregory was singing the praises of another member of the '93 Norcom team, quarterback Rod Richardson.
``Richardson had a fantastic spring game,'' said Gregory. ``He will be playing for us in the fall as a receiver. He will be rotating in and out.''
Another former Greyhound, Jermaine Granger, has been attending the West Point prep school and will be on the Army varsity this year.
``I think this is a real tribute to our football program,'' said Norcom coach Joe Langston. ``How many high schools in this country have sent six players in two years to Army and Navy?''
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Coles, who has a 3.9 grade point average and scored 1170 on his SAT, expects to play linebacker at Navy. ``Their linebackers are a lot like our defensive ends at Norcom,'' pointed out Coles.
Coles was a first-time All-Portsmouth and second-team All-Southeastern District offensive guard the past season.
Whitfield, a 6-2 1/2, 222 pounder, was a first-team All-City and second-team All-District defensive end. He expects to be a linebacker or strong safety at Navy.
Bullock, 6 feet 2 1/2 and 270 pounds, was a two-way standout in the line at Norcom. He was first-team All-Portsmouth as an offensive tackle and second team as a defensive lineman. He was first-team All-District as offensive tackle.
``If I have a choice I would prefer to play defense,'' said Bullock.
Coles, Bullock and Whitfield are the only remaining members from the '93 title squad.
``That's what we were all talking about,'' said Coles. ``Wouldn't it be nice to continue together through college?''
``That's why I'll probably go to the Naval Academy,'' said Bullock.
And they have thoughts of a special get-together of old mates at a future Army-Navy game. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Norcom stars Ramon Whitfield, left, Jermaine Bullock and Kevin Coles
may still be teammates after graduation. Coles and Whitfield signed
with the Naval Academy and Bullock probably will too, if he decides
to turn down Army.
by CNB