THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608250338
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V29 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Preview: High school forecasts:
SOURCE: REA FARMER
LENGTH: 43 lines
GREAT BRIDGE
COACH: Dennis Meyer (first season)
STAFF MEMBERS: Roy Whitaker, Noble Palmer, Mike Steele, Mickey Carey, Derrick Dalton.
WHERE THEY PLAY: Colon L. Hall Stadium (capacity 10,000), behind Great Bridge Middle School off Battlefield Boulevard in Chesapeake.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 1-9 overall, 1-6 district
RETURNING STARTERS: David Liston, Sr., DL-OL, 6-1, 209; Troy Lee, Jr., DL-OL, 5-11, 220; Tommy Harmon, Jr., RB-LB, 6-0, 200; Johnny Hall, Jr., RB, 5-10, 175; Bryant Lawrence, Jr., RB-DL, 6-0, 190; Nick Harnage, Sr., LB-RB, 5-11, 185.
TOP NEWCOMERS: Chris Duda, Sr., QB, 6-2, 175; Chemonz Olds, Jr., QB-DB, 5-9, 165.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: The Wildcats line is young, but has a series of plays that should keep opponents off balance. Running backs Hall and Lawrence are quick and skilled. The Wildcats are aiming for a finesse game to overcome their lack of size.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW: The entire Wildcat secondary is underclassmen. At linebacker, Meyers spent the preseason working with players who are no longer eligible. The late start for the defense could hamper the Wildcats early in the season.
COACH'S QUOTE: ``I really don't have any preconceptions about this season. To me, this football season is about turning this team around. I want to turn the attitude around. We've worked very hard at that.''
IT'S A FACT: After serving as assistant coach for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, Meyers decided he wanted to change his lifestyle and came to Hampton Roads. Since then, he has changed the lifestyle of some of his players. Nick Harnage and Chris Duda skipped last season. Over the summer, Meyers visited them personally and asked them to return for their senior season. Now, Duda says he has not enjoyed football this much since his recreation league days.
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB