THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, September 24, 1996           TAG: 9609240498
SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: ATHLETES OF THE WEEK 
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   39 lines

NICK CUFFEE: DESPITE BROKEN ARM, THE 2-WAY SENIOR TIRELESSLY PLAYED BEST GAME

Whatever Norcom was expecting from Deep Creek Thursday, it wasn't prepared for the new, improved Nick Cuffee.

Cuffee, a senior two-way lineman, had missed the first two games of the season with a broken arm. Still wearing a cast, he was cleared to play by both his doctor and his parents on game day.

Cuffee was nervous, anxious. Until he strapped on his pads.

``This was the first injury of my high school career,'' Cuffee said. ``It kind of put the burning in me. . . . Psychologically, it's real hard when you first come from an injury. But playing that game didn't bother me. Before the game, I've never had that feeling.''

That feeling lasted the entire game.

Offensively, Cuffee created holes all night, helping the Hornets to a 28-0 win over the Greyhounds. He said he experienced a new level of energy. Instead of tiring with each tackle, his passion grew, his focus intensified.

``I kept wanting to play, asking Coach to put me in,'' he said. ``I never got tired. This was one of the best games of my life. I was into it more than any game. I was focused on every play.''

Any apprehensions coach Jerry Carter may have felt about Cuffee playing in a cast were quickly erased. Cuffee's request to keep playing were granted.

``He told me before the game he was really nervous,'' Carter said. ``He hadn't played a game all year, but you could tell he was game-ready. I think he emotionally lifted the team. These kids are pretty close.''

After the game, Cuffee had trouble remembering the exact details of what he had done. Watching the tape was an eye-opening experience.

``I was hungry to play,'' Cuffee said. ``The surprise was that I didn't stop the whole game. I was energized. You get really tired out there. Even in the fourth quarter, I wasn't tired.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Photo] by CNB