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

DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996             TAG: 9608250201
SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: V30  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Preview: High school forecasts: 
SOURCE: LEE TOLLIVER
                                            LENGTH:   43 lines

PREVIEW: HIGH SCHOOL FORECASTS: KELLAM

KELLAM

COACH: Chris Worst (4th year, 1-29)

STAFF MEMBERS: Mike Benzel, Rick Hailey, Brian Bass, Scott Hill, Mike O'Hara, Chris Porter, Mike Childs, Les Powell

WHERE THEY PLAY: Kellam High (capacity 7,500), 2323 Holland Road in Virginia Beach

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 1-9 overall, 0-9 in the district

RETURNING STARTERS: Chad Merritt, Jr., LB, 5-10, 195; Jason Boswell, Sr., DB/WR, 5-11, 160; Steve Grundler, Sr., LB/OL, 6-2, 205; Thad Herron, Sr., LB, 5-11, 210; Omal Hinton, Sr., RB/DE, 6-0, 225; Troy Hinton, Sr., WR/DB, 5-9, 170; Kendrick Jacobs, Sr., RB/DB, 5-8, 175; Chris Pace, Sr., RB/LB, 5-8, 175; Jonathan Temple, So., RB/DB, 5-8, 170; Justin Trout, Sr., PK, 5-10, 220.

TOP NEWCOMERS: Chad Anderson, So., DT/OT, 6-3, 230; Nathan Brown, Jr., WR/DB, 5-8, 170; Courtney Dailey, So., QB/DB, 6-2, 180; Brandon DeGraaf, Jr., QB, 5-9, 160; Robert Ethridge, Sr., RB/DB, 5-8, 180; Chauncey Malone, Jr., DE/OT, 6-3, 200; Willie Schowell, So., OT/DT, 6-2, 260; Eric Pryor, Sr., FB, 6-1, 200.

OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Speed, including one of the fastest running backs in the league in Jacobs (4.4 in the 40). More size than any other time in the 1990s. Despite the past, there is an attitude to win. And the Knights should again have a strong kicking game. Placekicker Justin Trout is back. He finished No. 9 in the area in kick scoring with 12 extra points and three field goals for 21 points.

DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Best secondary in quite some time and more good speed. More size on this side of the ball than in past several years, as well. Good linebacker corps.

COACH'S QUOTE: ``Yes, I think this is the season I've been waiting for. This is the first time I've had a line that averaged over 200 pounds, I've got more speed than I've ever had and I've got the best secondary I've ever had.''

IT'S A FACT: After nine years as the head coach at Princess Anne, Mike Benzel returns to the program where he got his start as an assistant - taking on offensive coordinator duties.

KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB