THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608250199
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V30 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Preview: High school forecasts:
SOURCE: LEE TOLLIVER
LENGTH: 44 lines
COX
COACH: Reggie Garrett (2nd year, 5-5).
STAFF MEMBERS: Jim Grigsby, John Gammon, Tony Splendore, Charles Bryant, Brian Dexter.
WHERE THEY PLAY: Cox High (capacity 5,000), 2425 Shorehaven Drive in Virginia Beach.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 5-5 overall, 5-4 in the district.
RETURNING STARTERS: Ashkon Razari, Sr., QB, 5-11, 165; Ben Brumbaugh, Sr., OL/LB, 5-11, 215; Steve DeMasi, Sr., C/DL, 6-4, 250; Leroy Ellsworth, Sr., RB/DB, 5-9, 160; Bryce Lee, Sr., FL/DB, 5-10, 165; Mike McIlravy, Jr., WR/DB, 5-11, 165; Steve Mings, Sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 250; ; Richard Pane, Sr., FB/LB, 5-9, 225; Daryl Mills, Sr., RB/DB, 5-9, 170.
TOP NEWCOMERS: Shawn Gibbs, Jr., 5-11, 170; Justin Nixon, Sr., FB/LB, 5-10, 200; Carl Lentz, Sr., QB/LB, 6-2, 170; Latani Meade, Sr., FL, 6-5, 175; Charlie Redmond, Sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 270; Jon Conrad, Sr., TE/LB, 5-11, 210; Kyle Korte, Jr., FL/C, 5-10, 170; Nate Button, Sr., FB/LB, 5-10, 170; David Walker, So., OG, 6-3, 230.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Falcons have several good players at the skill positions in Ellsworth (averaged 5.8 yards per carry and scored six touchdowns), Razari (has a strong arm) and McIlravy (17 catches, 231 yards, two touchdowns). Throw in a decent-sized line and it spells touchdowns. Cox will be hurt from the loss of tight end and linebacker Mohammed Youssafi, who is out for the rest of the season with a ruptured disc suffered at a national wrestling tournament. Meade played JV a few years ago and will help as a flanker. He's big and has 4.7 speed in the 40. Surprisingly, he will give kicker Brian Anderson a run for the position.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Good secondary, good line, good linebackers. Hey, could Cox be back in the hunt so quickly? Basketball point guard Lentz returns to football after playing JV a couple of years ago and will add power at linebacker. He's also a backup quarterback.
COACH'S QUOTE: ``Why did people think we wouldn't be that good last year?''
IT'S A FACT: The Falcons managed to go .500 last year despite being out-gained in total yardage 3,178 to 2,357 and outscored by 229-149.-
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB