THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608250351
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V31 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Preview: High school forecasts:
SOURCE: MICHELLE SCHLOFF
LENGTH: 37 lines
SOUTHAMPTON ACADEMY
COACH: Dale Marks (5th year, 23-22)
STAFF MEMBER: Mike Hartson
WHERE THEY PLAY: Pillow Field (capacity 750) on Old Plank Road off of Interstate 58 in Courtland
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 9-2 overall, 8-1 in Colonial Carolina Conference
RETURNING STARTERS: Brandon Applewhite, Sr., OE/LB, 6-1, 180; Michael Beale, Sr., OL/LB, 6-1, 195; Steve Hartson, Sr., OC/DL, 5-11, 230; Thomas Upson, Sr., OE/DB, 6-0, 160; Jared Webb, Sr., FB/DE, 5-11, 185; Bland Pope, Jr., QB/DB, 5-7, 155; Lee Nicholson, Sop., OL/DL, 6-0, 245; Adam Webb, Fr., TB/DB, 5-7, 150.
TOP NEWCOMERS: Mo Canada, Jr., OE/DE, 5-10, 165; Harper Thompson, Fr., QB/DB, 6-0, 150.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: The Raiders averaged 30 points a game en route to making it to the conference final. The graduation of tailback and conference player of the year Brian Hobbs will leave Southampton looking to new blood in freshman Adam Webb. Pope returns to run the option offense, which may be more air-oriented this year.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Southampton gave up an average of 11.3 points per game to its opponents last season. Jared Webb and Adam Webb will lead the defense.
COACH'S QUOTE: ``Extremely thin in numbers. The starting unit should be very competitive, but must stay away from injury. Conditioning will be important.''
IT'S A FACT: Southampton Academy is the only eight-man football team in the state.
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB