THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608250209
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V29 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Preview: High school forecasts:
SOURCE: ROBIN BRINKLEY
LENGTH: 48 lines
DEEP CREEK
COACH: Lew Johnston (11th year, 59-48-3)
STAFF MEMBERS: Brian Burke, Robert Decker, Sam Warren, Mike Donovan, Wade Williams.
WHERE THEY PLAY: Western Branch High (capacity 8,000), 4222 Terry Drive in Chesapeake
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 8-2 overall, 6-1 district
RETURNING STARTERS: Daryl Walton, Sr., QB, 5-11, 175; Darren Walton, Sr., WR-DB, 5-11, 175; Harold Humphrey, Sr., OG, 6-1, 225; Chris Johnson, Sr., OT, 6-1, 270; Jason Hess, Sr., OT-DT, 6-0, 265; Frank Lemagna, Jr., DT, 6-2, 255; Marvin Urquhart, So., LB, 6-1, 240; Omar Hurdle, Sr., DE, 5-11, 185; Kenny Mosely, Jr., LB, 6-1, 195; Jason Parker, Sr., DB, 5-9, 170.
TOP NEWCOMERS: Jeff Clayton, Jr., OG, 6-1, 225; Keith Burnell, Jr., RB, 5-11, 180; Reggie Bonney, So., C-LB, 6-0, 198; Mike Query, Jr., OT-DT, 6-3, 245.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: The Bruins perennially are one of the most explosive teams in South Hampton Roads and this unit shouldn't be any different. Daryl Walton returns for a third season at quarterback as the active leader in passing yards (2,404) and TD passes (26) in South Hampton Roads. His twin, Darren, was second among area receivers last year with 39 catches and figures to draw double coverage. Johnston hopes Rashad Cook, who is wearing Dre Bly's old No. 24, can make secondaries pay for that. Cook is one of three wingbacks - Burnell and Parker are the others - with terrific speed. Humphrey, an All-Tidewater guard, is the leader of a big, but rebuilt line. Newcomer Paul Williford should be solid on extra points and short field goal attempts. Cook has looked good as the punter.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Long the Bruins' Achilles heel, the defense played well until the final game last year and is now looking for respect. They may get it, too. The middle is clogged by Hess, Lemagna, Humphrey and the man-child Urquhart, who Johnston compares to former Deep Creek star Deon Dyer in terms of his potential impact on the program. Outside the Bruins have terrific speed, especially on the corners with Parker and Darren Walton.
COACH'S QUOTE: ``Through the first nine games of last year half of the touchdowns we gave up were against scrubs or special teams. I feel like we lost that rap (of playing poor defense) last year.''
IT'S A FACT: Western Branch has finished in the top five in total offense and scoring in South Hampton Roads each of the past four years.
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB