THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608270492
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: College Forecast
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 75 lines
Virginia State as the 1996 CIAA champion and Norfolk State as the runner-up. Whew, sounds familiar. But while the two schools are picked to repeat their 1995 campaigns, they will travel different paths in fighting for the conference title.
The Trojans return 15 starters and 42 lettermen from a team that went 8-2 and 7-1 in the CIAA last season. Furthermore, the Trojans have all their key components back on offense, a unit that ranked second nationally with 38 points a game.
Norfolk State lost offensive firepower in quarterback and conference co-offensive player-of-the-year Aaron Sparrow, wide receiver James Roe and lineman Kenneth McDaniel. The Spartans will field a veteran corps of receivers along with last year's backup quarterback Robert Morris in hopes of producing their traditionally healthy passing attack.
Virginia State and Norfolk State continue their rivalry with the annual Labor Day Classic this Saturday in Norfolk (7 p.m.). The defending CIAA champions have defeated Norfolk State the past four years, including a 41-22 victory at Foreman Field last September.
Here's a look at the CIAA opponents on Norfolk State's schedule this year:
VIRGINIA STATE: The Trojans return their top three weapons - quarterback and Norcom graduate Rodney Granger, tailback Robert Morgan and wide receiver Tony Lanier, each all-CIAA picks last season. Defense could be a problem: three linebackers are gone, including Redskins draftee Kelvin Kinney. But conference defensive player of the year, junior defensive back Telley Priester, is back. Virginia State held opponents to 14 points a game last season.
BOWIE STATE: Even with the loss of running back Topper Ellis, a member of the CIAA all-rookie team who is academically ineligible, the Bulldogs look to run. Ryan Pigford and Scott Strother combined for 550 yards on 124 carries last season. Receivers Alex Harris and Brian Palmer averaged more than 13 yards a reception, but inexperienced quarterback Delmar Glanton threw only eight passes. The offensive line has four returning starters. Linebacker Shamar Foster, who recorded 83 tackles, anchors the defense.
LIVINGSTONE: Parnell Wilder threw for 958 yards last season but his top returning receiver, Shawn Foster, caught only 19 passes for 303 yards. Running back Eric Crawford ran for 581 yards last season. Eight starters return from a defense that allowed an average of 326 yards a game. All-CIAA linebacker Quincy Morgan had 114 tackles last season and fellow linebacker Regis Harris had seven sacks and 21 tackles for losses.
VIRGINIA UNION: The Panthers will have to increase their defensive intensity if they plan to record a victory this season. They gave up a conference high 407 yards per game last season and went 0-8-2. Starting defensive end Stephane Monerau and linebacker Alvin Taylor combined for only 80 tackles last season. Wide receiver David Parson had 51 catches for 871 yards and tight end Marquis Johnson had 385 yards on 28 receptions.
ELIZABETH CITY STATE: Former Green Run coach Elisha ``Cadillac'' Harris replaces George Moody, who returned to Norfolk State as an assistant after a three-year run with the Vikings. ECSU returns 14 starters and 41 lettermen, including All-CIAA running back Aaron Murchison, quarterback Kenny Crump, tailback Lamont Avent and linemen James Wright and Lamont Mabry. On defense, eight starters are back, including two-time CIAA linebacker Dameon Latta, defensive back Stephen Carter and lineman Marcus Barber.
WINSTON-SALEM STATE: The running attack may take a significant blow with the loss of conference co-player of the year Richard Huntley, selected in April's NFL draft. Quarterback Carl Walker and wide receiver Randall Carter are among the eight returning starters on offense. On defense, six starters return, led by All-CIAA defensive lineman LaTori Workman. ILLUSTRATION: B\W photo
Graphic
CIAA Poll
[For complete copy, see microfilm]
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB