THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 10, 1996 TAG: 9609100419
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 69 lines
Remember the good old days when you could attend a high school football game and get home in time to catch ``Beavis and Butthead'' at 10?
That was before the National High School Federation adopted NCAA rules that call for the clock to stop after each change of possession.
That's every punt, interception, lost fumble and failed fourth-down attempt.
The new rule is adding 15 to 19 minutes per game, according to officials czar Dick Bowie.
``The officials don't like it,'' Bowie said. ``But the coaches make the rules.''
Added time means added plays. For example, in its first two games last season, Deep Creek averaged 37 plays from scrimmage.
This year the Hornets are averaging 54.
``It's a marathon,'' Deep Creek coach Jerry Carter said. ``But we like to play as many kids as we can so I like it.''
WALTON EXPECTED BACK: Western Branch quarterback Daryl Walton had his injured right knee examined by an orthopedist Monday, and it now appears he may miss only two or three weeks.
Walton went down only four plays into Friday night's 37-20 loss to Norcom when he planted his foot and the knee buckled without being hit.
The examination revealed strained but not torn ligaments.
``The doctor still wants to do an MRI to confirm it,'' Bruins coach Lew Johnston said. ``It's a good thing Daryl has lifted so many weights because it's a strong knee joint.''
Walton, a senior, is the active passing leader in South Hampton Roads with 2,404 yards.
PILOTS CRASH: The biggest disappointment of the first two weekends had to be Norview.
The Pilots, with perhaps five Division I-A prospects, were shut out in the second half of a 9-8 loss to Booker T. Washington.
``I was shocked,'' one Eastern District coach said off the record. ``I thought they would blow out Booker T. They have great talent, but don't seem to put it together.''
Booker T. Washington coach Larry Stepney made two moves at halftime, one each on offense and defense, that helped key the upset.
He switched physical free safety Kevin Fuller to cornerback, where he held the Pilots' David Martin without a catch.
And Stepney inserted Antonio Woodson at guard to block the Pilots' 300-pound Melwood Waters.
Stepney is picking Deep Creek to win the state Division 5 championship.
``I think this is Jerry's year,'' he said. ``I look at state as controlling the line of scrimmage and Deep Creek's line is physical and technically good.''
SHORT YARDAGE: Defending state Division 5 champion Hampton edged Kecoughtan 20-17 to extend its winning streak to 14 games. The Warriors were on the Hampton 1 as time expired. . . Northampton's 64-50 victory over Sussex Central last Saturday is the highest scoring game in state history in which the loser scored more than one touchdown. The highest-scoring game occurred in 1925 when Kingsport, Tenn. beat Norton 173-0. . . So you want to be a high school football coach? Don't expect instant success. Of the nine new head coaches in South Hampton Roads this season, only Lake Taylor's Dan Newell won his opener. . . Nansemond-Suffolk Academy's game against Gates scheduled for Friday night has been canceled. Gates moved its entire schedule back a week and didn't bother to tell the Saints . . . Hickory drew almost 5,000 fans for its home opener against Ocean Lakes. . . Kempsville's Trey Simkins (separated shoulder) is healing faster than expected and could be back for next week's showdown with Ocean Lakes. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Western Branch QB Daryl Walton may miss only 2-3 weeks with strained
knee ligaments. by CNB