THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608250347
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V31 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Preview: High school forecasts:
SOURCE: BRIAN FRENCH
LENGTH: 46 lines
NORTHAMPTON
COACH: Jim Conrow (7th year, 33-32)
STAFF MEMBERS: Kevin McManus, Charles Bono, Jamie Lowery.
WHERE THEY PLAY: Northampton High (capacity 1,500), 16041 Courthouse Road in Eastville.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 12-2 overall, 4-0 in the Shore District, state Division 3 runnerup.
RETURNING STARTERS: Jeff Wayman, Sr., QB, 6-0, 180; Sam Ames, Sr., TB, 5-10, 178; Milton Custis, Jr., FB, 6-3, 290; Andre Satchell, Jr. WR, 6-2, 190; Zach Annon, Sr., OT, 6-5, 270; Roland Lusk, Sr., G, 6-2, 200; Bill Heath, Sr., C, 6-5, 288; Terry Robinson, Sr., DT, 6-0, 305; Michael Trower, Sr., LB, 5-8, 172
TOP NEWCOMERS: Tim Brady, Sr., WR, 6-1, 165; Jeff Ellis, Sr., OL, 5-10, 235; Josh Kesterson, Jr., CB, 5-8, 160; Jeff Johnson, Sr., OLB, 6-0, 180; Jamie Cannon, Sr., FS, 5-9, 145; Alan Prince, Sr., SS, 6-0, 170
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: The nucleus returns, headed by Ames, who led the team in rushing with more than 1,800 yards. Custis is a huge fullback who can run. Those two should give Northampton one of the best backfields in AA football, where the Yellow Jackets return after a stint in single A and a trip to Division 3 state title game last year. Wayman competed over 50 percent of his passes last season. and with the return of Satchell and inclusion of Brady and Dale Robinson at split end the passing game will get their share of plays. The offensive line will get a boost with Heath, who moved from tight end.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Planning to run against Northampton? Don't. The defensive line - led by Robinson and Custis, is as big as the offensive line, and Conrow admitted it would ``be pretty tough to run on us.'' The Yellow Jackets lost 17 players from last season, and it will be felt most in the secondary. The cornerbacks and safeties are new. In a recent scrimmage against Cox, the secondary was tested time after time, though Conrow said they gradually improved through the game.
COACH'S QUOTE: ``This team has all the potential in the world. What we need is leadership. We lost a lot of leaders from last year, and whether we can find any leaders on this team will determine how far we can go.''
IT'S A FACT: Beginning with a 1-9 mark in his first season, Conrow has improved the Northampton record each year.
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB