THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608250335
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V28 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Preview: High school forecasts:
SOURCE: VICKI L. FRIEDMAN
LENGTH: 45 lines
MAURY
COACH: Bobby Pannenbacker (8th year, 44-35)
STAFF MEMBERS: Marlon Marshall, Scott Brunet, Billy Morrow, Joe Thornton
WHERE THEY PLAY: Home games at Chittum Field (capacity 8,000) at 6401 Chesapeake Boulevard, Norfolk and Harbor Park.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 3-7, 2-2 in the district.
RETURNING STARTERS: Chris Stahl, Sr., OT-DE, 6-3, 225; Joe Justice, Sr., OG-NG, 5-10, 285; Harry Levin, Sr., OG-DT, 5-10, 245; Rodney Brown, Sr., HB-DB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Greg Trotter, Jr., FB-LB, 5-10, 215; Victor Bell, Jr., OT-DE, 6-3, 190; Marcus Young, Sr., TE-DT, 6-4, 225; Kenyuan Cornelious, Sr., LB-FB, 6-1, 190; Bobby Jordan, Jr., QB-FS, 5-10, 195; Fareed Nelson, Jr., LB-C, 6-1, 190.
TOP NEWCOMERS: CJ Robinson, Jr., HB-SS, 5-10, 180; Lamonte Williams, Jr., LB, 6-3, 185; Anthony Williams, Sr., HB-SS, 6-2, 190; Jeff Firks, Sr., OG-DE, 6-2, 195.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Pannenbacker is dumping the wishbone that the team used last year for the Delaware wing T, which will feature the running of fullback Greg Trotter, the passing of Bobby Jordan and the halfback play of Brown. Maury boasts a solid offensive line led by Stahl, Levin and Justice. Experience and size allows the Commodores to do a lot of trapping and misdirection plays. Jordan, last year's backup QB to Jeremiah Bell, will have his pick of wideouts with Dwayne Lancaster, Theo Carter and Willie Jackson. With William Black, who rushed for 563 yards last season, gone, Maury is thin at running back.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Maury is without a veteran defensive back and will rely on the experience of Cornelious and Nelson at linebacker. Lamonte Williams, hampered by a bad knee, could vie for a starting spot in the middle. Stahl is a three-year starter at defensive end, and Justice could be among the top nose guards in the area. Physically the Commodores are stronger and bigger than last season.
COACH'S QUOTE: ``We play Norcom and Norview back-to-back in our first two district games, so that has a lot to do with where we go. If we win both of those or win one of those, we could be the team in the playoffs.''
IT'S A FACT: Maury has seven players named White and six named Williams.
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB