THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608250352
SECTION: SPORTS MISCELLANEOUS PAGE: V31 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Preview: High school forecasts:
SOURCE: PAUL WHITE
LENGTH: 43 lines
SOUTHAMPTON
COACH: Littleton Parker (9th year, 64-40 career)
STAFF MEMBERS: Randy Jessee, Tim Mason, Rodney Brown, Larry Rose, Tyrus Hill, Michael Dunlow, Edward Wilkerson
WHERE THEY PLAY: Southampton High (capacity 4,000), 23350 Southampton Parkway in Courtland
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 11-1, 7-0 Bay River District
RETURNING STARTERS: Rico Ivey, Sr., 6-0, 175, RB/S; Oliver Porter, RB, 5-8, 175, Jr.; Gregory Scott, TE, 6-5, 210, Jr.; Durane Parker, WR/LB, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Amard Phillips, OT, 6-3, 275, Sr.; Antwon Turner, 6-0, 200, Sr., OG; Myrone Rawlings, C, 6-0, 260, Sr.
TOP NEWCOMERS: Mitchell Pillsbury, QB, 6-3, 190, So.; Onhja Bynum, FB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Torry Goodwin, FB, Jr., 5-11, 210; LaVelle Evans, 5-11, 220, Sr., OG; Brian Myrick, 6-2, 250, OT, Sr.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Nothing changes much at Southampton, where the Power-I is as indigenous to Indians football as the helmet. The Indians will miss all-state back William Brown's leadership, not to mention his 1,300-plus yards. But speedy Rico Ivey also racked up over 1,300 yards a year ago, and his ability to post similar numbers should ease the development of sophomore quarterback Pillsbury. Southampton will also look to get the ball into the hands of Durane Parker, arguably the team's best athlete.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Southampton's record last year masked problems against the run, which this year could be a disastrous deficiency in a district where everyone this side of Smithfield wants to grind things out. Parker said he's still looking for the right mix of newcomers to surround outside linebacker Durane Parker, his coach's pick as the district's top defender last year, and Ivey, a second-team all-state defensive back.
COACH'S QUOTE: ``I think the success of the season will depend on the senior leadership.''
IT'S A FACT: Southampton is the only Bay Rivers District team to defeat Tabb since the league began in 1990.
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB