THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608250353
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V31 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Preview: High school forecasts:
SOURCE: PAUL WHITE
LENGTH: 48 lines
SMITHFIELD
COACH: Joe Jones (8th year overall, 1st at Smithfield, 33-43 career)
STAFF MEMBERS: John Bangley, Tyler Mosley, Sherlon Savage, Lawrence Mines, Walter Hamlin, Richard Bowen
WHERE THEY PLAY: Smithfield High (capacity 2,500), 14171 Turner Drive in Smithfield
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 2-8 overall, 1-6 in the Bay Rivers District
RETURNING STARTERS: Derrick Porter, Jr., RB, 5-11, 185; Adam Pierce, Sr., LB, 5-11, 240; Tobias Black, Sr., LB, 6-0, 190.
TOP NEWCOMERS: Chris Parker, Jr., WR/DB, 5-10, 160; Lamont Chapman, So., RB/DB, 5-8, 160; Jason Wrenn, So., OL/DL, 5-10, 245; Justin Cholewinski, Jr., OG/DE, 6-2, 210; Jason Probst, Sr., QB, 5-11, 175; Dexter Drew, Fr., FB, 6-3, 255; Adrian Robinson, Jr., NG, 5-11, 245; Michael Bridges, Sr., OL/DL, 6-1, 220; Chris Scott, Jr., LB, 6-0, 180; Travis Parker, So., DE, 6-2, 190.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: The Packers will undergo a major transition as Jones, who successfully transformed Windsor into a run-and-shoot team a few years ago, introduces four-receiver sets and an air-it-out mentality to this traditionally ground-oriented program. Jones insists the Packers won't be one-dimensional; one of his pet expressions is, ``The first word in run-and-shoot is run.'' So how come quarterback Probst was seen icing his elbow like a baseball pitcher after a recent practice? Parker, 5th in the Group AA state 100-meter final, and slotman Chapman bring speed to the receiver spot. Freshman Drew is the leading candidate to be the lone runner. A key will be how quickly the inexperienced Probst matures into a system that demands quick decisions from its quarterback.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Lacking great size, the Packers will try to confuse opposing linemen with a variety of looks, then exploit any missed assignments. The secondary appears solid and the only two returning starters - Black and Pierce - are at linebacker. But this unit's success will hinge largely on how well a green group of linemen defends the run.
COACH'S QUOTE: ``We've only got three returning starters, but I don't like to say we're rebuilding. Rebuilding to me means going out and getting your butt kicked so you can learn from it. My attitude, and the attitude of these kids, is let's play to win.''
IT'S A FACT: Jones' teams went 31-25 at Windsor, but were just 2-18 the last two years at Franklin.
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB