THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, June 16, 1996                 TAG: 9606140226
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 22   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Sports 
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR 
                                            LENGTH:   56 lines

THERE'S FOOTBALL AFTER WINDSOR 5 GRADUATING DUKES WILL PLAY FOR OTHER SCHOOLS NEXT SEASON.

WINDSOR HIGH football coach Tommy Austin knew he had a talented group of seniors this season. Now he has proof.

Five Dukes have signed to play football somewhere next season, the most from Windsor at one time, according to Austin.

Tight end Reggie Nichols and defensive end Isaac Ricks are headed to Virginia State; defensive linemen Parker Ramsey and Steven Harrell are going to Elon College; and running back Wayne Briggs will play at Hargrave Military Academy.

``This is a real special group because we had so many with so much talent,'' said Austin, in his second year at Windsor. ``It's the most to come out of Windsor at one time as far as anybody still (at Windsor) knows. I knew we had talent when I got them, it was just a matter of getting our system ingrained into them.''

Of the Dukes' 12 seniors this season, Austin said 11 of them received offers to play college football. ``Several small schools in Division III wanted to sign our whole offensive line because they were so big,'' said Austin, whose team went 10-3 and lost to Strasburg 22-13 in a Group A, Division I state semifinal this season. ``(Those that didn't sign) chose to go elsewhere for academics.''

Austin said Briggs, who set school records in single-season and career rushing touchdowns this year, hopes to transfer to a Division I school after a year at prep school. Wake Forest and North Carolina showed recruiting interest in the running back, who gained 2,319 yards and scored 36 touchdowns.

``Both schools told us, `We're glad to know where he is,' and they'll take a look at him,'' Austin said.

Austin expects to spend some time traveling next season. ``I'll be on the road a lot next year to see them all play,'' he said. ``They've got a bright future ahead of them. They'll get an education and when they come back we'll see what kind of people they've become. That's important.'' ILLUSTRATION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Wayne Briggs

Hargrave Military Academy

Steven Harrell

Elon College

Reggie Nichols

Virginia State

Parker Ramsey

Elon College

Isaac Ricks

Virginia State by CNB