THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608270516
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: College Forecast
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 86 lines
Norfolk State coach Darnell Moore has heard the same questions all summer: How are you going to replace Aaron Sparrow? What about James Roe? What about Kenneth McDaniel and the offensive line?
But the ``offensive genius,'' as some people regard Moore, has it all figured out. Throw first-year starting quarterback Robert Morris into the mix with veteran receivers Marty Conner, Darius Blount and Ronald Boone and the passing game is set.
Or so he hopes.
With Calvin Williams back in the starting rotation, Moore anticipates that the ``O-line'' will be all right. On defense, ``big, bad'' John Green and Robert Johnson have Moore feeling secure on the other side of the ball.
Moore expects this to be the best of his three seasons at Norfolk State. The key questions facing the team:
Can the Spartans match the seven-win records of the last two seasons?
``Yes, it's possible, but we're not looking at seven wins as a goal,'' Moore says. ``If we're looking at seven wins, we're setting our goals too low. That's saying we expect to lose three games and I can't accept that.''
There are three keys to Norfolk State having its third winning season under Moore: chemistry, a stable offensive line and a low number of injuries - the basis for any successful program.
Is Robert Morris the next Aaron Sparrow?
``He's the first coming of Robert Morris,'' Moore says.
Even though Morris has a background of running option offenses, Moore says: ``We're still going to throw the ball.''
On the other hand, Morris' background and John Quinerly's emergence as a productive tailback could lead to a more efficient running game.
With a new quarterback, the offense must mesh for Morris to be effective. A large part of that is getting protection from the offensive line, which will have four new starters.
Despite the loss of Sparrow, Roe and McDaniel, the Spartans were picked to finish second in the conference. Why?
Going back to his coaching days at Wilson High, Moore has proven he can win regardless of the circumstances. In the last two years, he had to deal with either the loss or the inconsistency of his three stars and yet has accumulated a 14-6 record.
Can these guys stop anyone defensively?
Moore expects a healthy defense to pay major dividends. He is counting on big seasons from linebacker Johnson and left tackle Green, who is on the preseason All-CIAA team.
The defense must stay away from injuries, though, and already linebacker Andre Nixon could be out for two games. He sustained partially torn ligaments in his left knee during a workout last week.
Will Norfolk State kick a field goal this season?
``Did we kick one last year?,'' Moore says. ``Maybe, if needed.''
Actually, the Spartans were 0-for-1 in field-goal attempts last season. Do not expect place-kicking to be a major part of this team.
Moore recruited two-time Southeastern District kicker Joe Verdi of Deep Creek, but Verdi failed to meet NCAA requirements for incoming freshman. However, Moore said he has a couple of kickers in camp who he anticipates will get the job done.
Is there another James Roe on the horizon?
``No,'' says Moore. ``I got a Reggie Bureau and a few other guys who will come along. And I still have Darius Blount.''
In addition to Blount and Bureau, the Spartans also have veteran wide receiver Marty Conner and tight end Boone, an All-CIAA first-teamer last year.
Can the Spartans beat Hampton?
``It's possible,'' Moore says. ``It's possible to win 11 games.''
Hampton finished 8-3 in its first year of Division I-AA play and is expected to contend for the Mid-East Athletic Conference title this season. The Pirates defeated Norfolk State 23-18 last year.
Will any of the freshmen make an impact?
Moore says he's not counting heavily on any freshman help out right away. The Spartans do have a couple of transfers who will be in the starting lineup: offensive tackles Michael Early and Lee Lewis.
Off the bench, Moore expects that freshman quarterback Freddie Parker and running back William Black will see some playing time. ILLUSTRATION: File Photo
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Norfolk State
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KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB