THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608250202
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V30 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Preview: High school forecasts:
SOURCE: ROBIN BRINKLEY
LENGTH: 46 lines
KEMPSVILLE
COACH: John Bowles (5th year, 29-14)
STAFF MEMBERS: Curt Brown, Tom Clouser, Chris Beatty, Bo Ludwig, Chris Ramey, John Hehl
WHERE THEY PLAY: Kempsville High School (capacity 5,000), 5194 Chief Trail in Virginia Beach
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 7-4 overall, 6-3 district
RETURNING STARTERS: Zeb Clark, Sr., TB, 6-2, 190; Trey Simkins, Sr., WR/CB, 6-4, 205; Alex Lleces, Sr., FB/LB, 5-11, 225; Donald Stakes S., C, 6-1, 280; John Kazmierczak, Sr., OG/DE, 6-1, 225; Roy Watson, Jr., TE, 6-0, 250; Joe Sargent, Sr., NG., 6-0, 255; Brett Stuhlman, Sr., FS, 5-10, 180; Eric Souza, Jr., LB, 6-0, 220; Antron Sutton, Jr., LB, 5-10, 205.
TOP NEWCOMERS: Kyle Craft, Jr., OT, 6-5, 275; Justin Sayko, Jr., DB/WR, 5-11, 185; Jaymes Shackleford, Jr., LB, 5-10, 190; Mark Coston, So., TE/LB, 6-2, 200.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Second-team All-Tidewater running back Clark (1,012 yards, 13 TDs) and fullback Lleces (800 yards, three TDs) are back after placing fourth and eighth, respectively among area rushing leaders. All-Tidewater center Stakes anchors a line that includes big tackle Craft, whom Bowles is touting as a future blue-chipper. Bowles vows he won't be as one-dimensional this season. Junior quarterback Matt Lemn has a strong arm, but talented wideout Simkins is sidelined for six weeks with a separated shoulder. Newcomers will fill all the key positions in the kicking game and punting was a problem area early in practice.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Defense was expected to be a strong suit last year, but the Chiefs allowed at least three touchdowns in seven games. Fatigue played a factor with eight players going both ways. Bowles won't repeat that mistake. Otherwise the personnel is outstanding. The front four, led by Sargent, averages 244 pounds. Three linebackers return and Simkins has the athletic ability to make up for others' mistakes in the secondary.
COACH'S QUOTE: ``If we can check our egos at the door we have a chance to win the district. If the leadership doesn't come up, we'll be in trouble.''
IT'S A FACT: Kempsville led South Hampton Roads in rushing in 1994 and finished second last season.
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB